Head-on Truck Accidents in Phoenix

By The Husband and Wife Law Team on October 4, 2016

When a passenger car has a collision with the massive semi-truck trailers on the roads today, the outcomes can be particularly serious. The maximum allowable weight for the large commercial trucks varies according to the number of axles that the vehicle has. A single axle unit has a 20,000 pound limit, while tandem axle has a 34,000 pound limit, and the full-sized vehicles weigh up to 80,000 pounds!

A “head-on” collision occurs when a moving vehicle crosses a dividing-line or road median and collides with a vehicle moving the opposite direction in that lane. The other instance where a head-on accident can occur is when a vehicle enters a roadway going the wrong way, such as on a one-way street.

The American Association of State Highway & Transportation has the following statistics concerning such collisions:

• Approximately 75% of head-on crashes occur on rural roads.
• Roughly 75% of head-on collisions take place on two-lane roads that are not formally divided.
• Only about 4% of head-on collisions occur when a vehicle is attempting to pass or overtake another.

If a vehicle traveling the opposite way abruptly crosses the median into your lane, it will obviously be difficult to avoid; however, there are some best practices that can potentially enable you to avoid the collision:

• Being prepared and alert, particularly so when there is not a physical barrier between the opposite flowing traffic lane(s).
• Scan the road ahead for hazards to anticipate where problems might occur. As mentioned above, the majority of the head-on collisions occur in rural settings, where lighting may be poor.
• Try to travel in the center of your lane, thus maintaining good spacing.
• When traveling on roads with multiple lanes, the far right lane is typically the safest lane since it allows the easiest access to the shoulder of the road.
• Stay within the speed limit.
  • This could provide you with an extra couple seconds to avoid an oncoming vehicle.
  • If you were unable to avoid the collision, the severity of the impact decreases along with your speed.
  • Exercise caution when approaching curves in the road.  An intoxicated driver is more likely to react to the curve in the road and could suddenly overcompensate in the other direction causing them to sway into your lane.
  • Avoid driving when drowsy and tired. Your reaction time is slower, and you are more likely to overlook signs and signals encountered along your route.
  • If you have to veer into the shoulder of the road to avoid something, leaving your left side tires slightly on the pavement will allow you to retain better traction than having all four wheels on a gravel or other volatile surface.

Truck accidents can often have complexity stemming from having to interpret and review cases concerning federal law, state law, company liability, insurance organizations and determining the series of events in the case. Injured victims of an Phoenix head on truck accident should consult the team at Breyer Law Offices, P.C. Our legal team has the experience and resources to deliver results to properly compensate victims. If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a truck-related accident, contact our office today at (602) 457-6222 for an initial consultation.