You’ve probably seen a bobtailing truck many times on the road. Bobtailing occurs when a trucker drives a semi-truck without a trailer attached to it.
Bobtailing is dangerous because semi-trucks aren’t designed to be operated without a trailer. A bobtailing truck requires more time to slow down and can be more difficult to maneuver. As a result, truckers may find it difficult to avoid accidents in an emergency.
Trucking accidents are serious events that often lead to life-threatening injuries, death, and costly property damage. The most current U.S. statistics show that 4,119 people died in crashes involving large trucks in a recent year.
If you were injured in an accident with a bobtailing truck in Virginia, reach out to the truck accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison for a free consultation. Our knowledgeable attorneys will review the facts of your case and determine the best legal strategy for holding the responsible party accountable for your injuries.
You can get started right away. Call us or contact us online now.
What Is Bobtailing and How Does It Change the Way a Semi-Truck Handles?
Bobtailing refers to operating a semi-truck without a trailer attached to the back.
Commercial trucks, such as tractor-trailers and semi-trailers, are generally comprised of a front cab and trailer to transport cargo. Because these trucks are designed to carry heavy trailers, most of the braking power is on the rear wheels under the trailer, while the main purpose of the front wheels is for steering.
However, without a trailer attached, the front tires bear most of the vehicle’s weight. The rear wheels don’t have as much traction while bobtailing, reducing the truck’s braking power. Trucks already require a greater distance to come to a complete stop. Bobtailing makes the situation worse.
In addition, truck drivers may struggle to control the semi-truck due to the uneven weight distribution on the tires. A bobtail truck handles differently and is more likely to skid out on turns or slick roads.
Why Are Emergency Maneuvers in a Bobtailing Truck More Difficult to Perform?
Truck drivers should avoid sudden braking and swerving while bobtailing. A truck’s braking system assumes there will be a normal weight distribution between a tractor and an attached trailer. It isn’t designed to take weight changes from bobtailing into account. As a result, emergency maneuvers that would be acceptable in a fully loaded semi-truck could cause a bobtail truck to lose control or veer into another lane and sideswipe a smaller vehicle.
Traffic conditions are unpredictable, meaning it’s sometimes impossible for a truck driver to avoid hard braking or swerving when they’re behind the wheel. For example, if a trucker is driving in bobtail mode and needs to slam on their brakes to avoid colliding with a vehicle that brakes suddenly, the truck may not respond well enough to prevent a crash.
Being Aware of the Dangers of Bobtailing Can Help Prevent Accidents
If a truck driver understands the risk of bobtailing, they can better prepare for hazardous conditions on the road. They should always follow traffic signs and signals, leave plenty of room between their truck and the vehicle ahead of them, and adequately prepare for stopping the truck. If they encounter an emergency, their experience and training should tell them how to react when bobtailing.
Additionally, non-commercial drivers must be aware of the dangers associated with bobtailing. It’s important to drive defensively near bobtailing trucks. Leave ample space between your vehicle and the truck, or try to steer clear of them altogether when you see them on roadways.
Also, try to anticipate a trucker’s actions if traffic comes to a standstill or there’s a road hazard. Never merge directly in front of a bobtailing truck in heavy traffic unless there is a generous amount of space between the two vehicles.
How Driver Fatigue Can Lead to a Bobtailing Truck Accident
Driver fatigue is common among truckers. They often drive long distances and work long hours during a single shift. However, drowsiness can substantially impair a trucker’s ability to drive safely. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, going long stretches without sleep can be just as risky as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
A drowsy truck driver may experience:
- Slower reaction time
- Altered sensory perception
- Trouble focusing
- Poor decision-making skills
- Loss of consciousness
Obviously, road conditions become exponentially more dangerous when a trucker falls asleep while driving.
Can Truck Driver Fatigue Laws Prevent Accidents?
Sometimes, truck driver fatigue accidents are the result of violating strict regulations governing the trucking industry. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets maximum driving limits, or hours-of-service rules, to combat drowsy driving.
Current hours-of-service regulations mandate that truckers:
- Drive no more than 11 hours after spending 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Cannot drive beyond 14 consecutive hours of being on duty, following 10 consecutive hours off duty
- Take at least a 30-minute break after driving for eight cumulative hours that didn’t include a 30-minute break.
- Drive no more than 60 hours in seven straight days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.
Truckers who disobey hours-of-service regulations can be held liable for any injuries resulting from a drowsy driving crash. Truck companies may also be penalized. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you seek full and fair compensation from the responsible parties.
Can Semi-Truck Brake Problems Cause Accidents?
Braking systems must function correctly. If a defective part or the entire braking system fails, even the most experienced truck driver may be unable to avoid a wreck.
When truck accidents involve brake failure, a thorough investigation is critical to identify what happened and who should be held liable. A skilled truck accident lawyer can determine what went wrong. In many truck accident claims, more than one party may be to blame.
What to Do If You’re in an Accident With a Bobtailing Truck
If you suffer injuries in an accident with a bobtailing semi-truck, seek immediate medical care. Doing so will ensure that all of your injuries are diagnosed and treated.
In addition, medical evidence is vital in insurance claims and lawsuits. Proof that a bobtailing crash resulted in your injuries will strengthen your case for compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and other losses.
Additional steps you can take to protect your claim include:
- Following your doctor’s treatment plan following your injury to show you’re committed to your recovery
- Gathering together any documentation to show the extent of your losses and injuries, such as medical receipts, medical records, and banking statements
- Avoiding posting updates on social media, which could potentially be used by the other side to diminish your claim
You should also hire an experienced bobtailing truck accident lawyer to represent you. Truck accidents are incredibly complex, but a proven attorney can take on the responsibility of meticulously investigating the accident and developing a compelling claim on your behalf.
Get Help With Your Bobtailing Accident, Today!
If you were involved in an accident with a bobtailing semi-truck, contact Marks & Harrison for your free consultation. We have been fighting for our clients for over 100 years and know what it takes to get the job done. You can rely on our competent and skilled legal team to remain in your corner and stand up for your right to maximum compensation. Contact us today to get started.
