Large commercial vehicles are dangerous no matter how they are operated. Even very skilled and careful drivers could still cause catastrophic trucking accidents. One of the most dangerous maneuvers that large tractor trailers, double trailers, tankers, flatbeds, and other big rigs could do is back up. One of the most dangerous locations for backing up is on the roadway. While it sounds like it may not make sense for a large truck to backup on a roadway into a driveway, sometimes it is even more dangerous to go head in and then have to backup on the roadway. Unfortunately, anytime a large truck is backing up it could result in serious New Mexico trucking accidents. When a truck is backing up across lanes of traffic, that type of trucking accident could be a broadside collision. This is particularly true at night. Learn more from our Albuquerque trucking accident lawyers available here.
Dangers of Broadside Collisions Due to Backing Up
A broadside collision is when one vehicle collides with the side of the another vehicle. This could be known as a T-bone accident amongst passenger vehicles, but with a large trucking it is more aptly known as a broadside collision.
A classic example of a broadside collision with a large commercial tractor trailer is when the truck is backing up into a driveway on the side side of traffic. For instance, there are two lanes and the truck is in the southbound lane and has to park in a driveway on the northbound side. The truck will have to back up from the southbound lane across the northbound side and into the driveway. This means northbound vehicles will have to drive right through that area.
While it may seem obvious that large tractor trailers are obvious and easy to see, this is not always the case. This is particularly true at night when it is much harder for other vehicles to see the trailer and its flashing lights. In fact, four-way lights or hazard flashers on large trucks may not be visible to a driver who is approaching until it is too late. This is particularly because other vehicles are that are coming towards the truck may experience blinding glare by the truck’s headlights which may be aimed slightly at ongoing vehicles.
Victims that are Injured in Blindside Collisions with Tractor Trailers Should Call Our Albuquerque Trucking Accident Lawyers
A tractor trailer backing up into a driveway can block the roadway for a long enough period of time that it creates a serious, unreasonable, and ultimately deadly scenario. Tractor trailers backing up need to only do so when they are safe. This means they need to ensure that the trailer does not present a hazard to other vehicles that could broadside it.
Here at the Mark Caruso, our experienced Albuquerque trucking accident lawyers know how dangerous large tractor trailers backing up can be. Victims injured by big rigs due to broadside collisions may have right to compensation. If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a trucking accident case, please call to schedule your FREE appointment with our lawyers at the Mark Caruso by dialing (505) 308-1556.
We handle causes throughout New Mexico, including Las Cruces, Santa Fe, Roswell, Cuervo, Rio Rancho, Clovis, Farmington, Hobbs, Albuquerque where our office is located, and anywhere else throughout New Mexico. Please call to schedule for FREE appointment by dialing (505) 308-1556 or contact us through our website’s easy to use and convenient contact box available here.
