When 80,000 Pounds Can’t Stop in Time
Traffic slows on the freeway ahead, and you ease onto your brakes like everyone else. Behind you, a fully loaded tractor-trailer doesn’t slow down in time. Large trucks can weigh 20 to 30 times as much as a passenger car, so even a moderate-speed impact can crush a rear bumper and push your car into the vehicle ahead. Rear-end crashes are among the most common truck accidents in California, and among the most preventable.
The California truck accident attorneys at BD&J have recovered more than $3 billion* for injured clients across the state. Call 855-906-3699 to speak with a California rear-end truck accidents lawyer for a free, confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
- A fully loaded truck at highway speed needs the length of two football fields to stop.
- According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), rear-end collisions are one of the main types of crashes in Los Angeles.
- California law requires drivers to maintain a reasonable distance when following another vehicle, with extra distance behind larger vehicles like trucks.
- The Department of Transportation (DOT) found that forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking can reduce rear-end crashes by large trucks by more than 40%.
- The driver in back isn’t automatically at fault, and a truck that stopped suddenly or had broken brake lights may share the blame.
Why Rear-End Truck Crashes Are So Dangerous
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a fully loaded truck traveling at highway speed needs about 200 yards to come to a complete stop. If the truck driver is distracted or following too closely behind another vehicle, the truck may be unable to stop in time regardless of how forcefully the driver brakes.
Rear-end truck collisions can be fatal. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 20% of passenger deaths in motor vehicle crashes were caused by rear-ending. An additional 6% died when a truck rear-ended a personal vehicle.
A rear-end crash with a truck can leave you with injuries that need months of treatment. Call BD&J at 855-906-3699 to talk through your options.
Two Types of Rear-End Truck Crashes
When a Truck Rear-Ends Your Vehicle
A truck strikes a car from behind in slowing traffic, at a red light, or in a work zone, often crushing the trunk and rear seats.
When a Vehicle Rear-Ends a Truck
A car may hit a truck that stopped suddenly or was parked without warning devices. If the car slides beneath the trailer, the crash becomes an underride accident.
What Causes Trucks to Rear-End Other Vehicles?
A rear-end collision involving a truck can be caused by numerous factors.
Following Too Closely
Tailgating is the leading cause of rear-end crashes in general. California Vehicle Code § 21703 says drivers can’t follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering the surrounding speed, traffic, and road conditions.
In fact, large trucks have stricter regulations and have to reduce their speed and maintain a further distance. Under Vehicle Code § 21704, trucks must follow the 55mph truck speed limit and must stay at least 300 feet behind one another outside business or residential districts. This regulation rule doesn’t apply on highways with two or more lanes in the same direction.
Speeding, Distraction, Fatigue, and Impairment
Any of these factors can close the gap on slowing traffic in seconds:
- Distracted truck drivers may look at a phone or dispatch screen at the wrong moment.
- Long hours behind the wheel lead to fatigued driving accidents.
- lcohol or drugs slow reaction time in drunk driving accidents.
Safety Technology: Collision Warning and Automatic Braking
Technology already exists that could prevent many rear-end truck crashes. Forward collision warning systems alert drivers when they are approaching a vehicle too quickly, while automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems automatically apply the brakes when a collision is about to happen and the driver fails to respond.
A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking has reduced rear-end crashes by large trucks by 44% and 41%, respectively.
Data from a truck’s safety systems can show what happened before a rear-end crash. Call BD&J at 855-906-3699 to start preserving it.
Who’s at Fault in a Rear-End Truck Accident?
Insurance companies often assume the driver in back caused a rear-end crash. However, California law looks at what each driver did. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver. A driver who tailgated, sped, or looked away from the road may be at fault.
- The trucking company. As we explain in our article on whether truck drivers are always at fault, carriers may share responsibility for poor training, unrealistic schedules, or bad maintenance.
- Parts manufacturers. Defective brakes or collision-avoidance systems may support a product defect claim.
- Other drivers. A motorist who cut in front of a truck and braked hard may share the blame.
If your car struck the back of a truck, you may still have a strong claim and be eligible for compensation. The truck may have stopped without a traffic reason, had broken brake lights, or been parked on the road without warning triangles. Under California’s comparative negligence rules, you can recover compensation even if you share some of the fault.
BD&J investigates rear-end truck crashes from every angle, including what the truck driver and trucking company did before the impact. Call 855-906-3699 or complete our online form today.
Most Common Injuries in Rear-End Truck Accidents
Being hit from behind snaps the body forward and back, and a truck’s weight makes that force far more severe. Common injuries include:
- Whiplash and neck injuries. Soft tissue damage can cause pain, stiffness, and headaches for months.
- Back and spinal injuries. Herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord injuries are common in high-force crashes.
- Head injuries. Striking the headrest or steering wheel can cause concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
- Shoulder and chest injuries. Seat belts save lives, but they can cause bruising and fractures under heavy force.
- Crush injuries. When a truck crushes the rear of a car, rear-seat passengers can be badly hurt.
- Emotional trauma. Many survivors develop anxiety or a fear of seeing a truck in their rearview mirror.
Some of these injuries are catastrophic and require lifelong care.
What About Pre-Existing Conditions?
Insurance companies sometimes argue that a crash was too minor to cause real injury, especially when the car doesn’t look badly damaged. But vehicle damage doesn’t always reflect the force on your body, and prompt medical care helps document your injuries. If you had neck or back problems before the crash, our article on whether a pre-existing condition can hurt your claim explains how California treats injuries a crash makes worse.
How to Respond After Being Rear-Ended by a Truck
- Turn on your hazard lights and stay buckled if traffic is moving. A second impact is a real risk in freeway traffic, so only leave your vehicle when it’s safe.
- Call 911 and report the crash. Ask for police and medical help, and make sure officers note that a commercial truck was involved.
- See a doctor. Even if you don’t have immediate symptoms, whiplash and back injuries often take time to show symptoms.
- Photograph both vehicles. Capture the damage to your car, the front of the truck, and the truck’s company name and DOT number.
- Look for cameras on the truck. Note any forward-facing camera on the windshield, which can help your attorney request the footage.
- Write down how traffic was moving. Record whether you were stopped, slowing, or merging, and whether the truck gave any warning.
- Keep track of every symptom and appointment. A simple daily log of pain, missed work, and treatment can strengthen your claim.
- Talk to an attorney before the truck’s data is erased. Camera footage and electronic data can be overwritten quickly, so early legal help can preserve them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rear-End Truck Accidents
Who Is at Fault When a Truck Rear-Ends a Car?
In most cases, the truck driver is responsible for leaving enough room to stop. The trucking company may also be responsible if poor training, unrealistic schedules, or bad maintenance played a role.
Is the Rear Driver Always at Fault in California?
No. While the driver in back is often found at fault, California looks at what each driver did, and a driver who cut in front of a truck may share responsibility.
What if I Rear-Ended a Truck?
You may still have a claim. If the truck stopped suddenly, had broken brake lights, or was stopped on the road without warning devices, the truck driver or trucking company may be partly or fully responsible.
Can a Truck’s Brake Lights Affect Who Is at Fault?
Yes. Broken, dirty, or blocked brake lights can keep drivers from seeing a truck slow down, which may shift some of the responsibility to the trucking company.
How Much Room Does a Truck Need to Stop?
A fully loaded truck at highway speed needs nearly the length of two football fields to stop, far more than a passenger car. Wet roads and worn brakes increase that distance.
Are Truck Drivers Required to Leave Extra Following Distance?
Yes. California requires all drivers to follow at a reasonable and prudent distance, and large trucks must stay at least 300 feet behind other large trucks on many two-lane roads outside cities.
Can Whiplash from a Truck Crash Be Serious?
Yes. Whiplash can cause lasting neck pain, headaches, and limited movement, and the force of a truck crash makes these injuries more likely to be severe.
What if the Insurer Says the Crash Was Too Minor To Cause Injury?
Vehicle damage doesn’t always reflect the force on your body. Medical records, expert testimony, and the truck’s data can show that a crash caused real injuries.
Does It Matter if the Truck Had Collision Warning or Automatic Braking?
It can. The system’s data may show when the driver was warned and how they responded, and a system that was turned off or ignored can be important evidence.
Can Truck Camera Footage Help My Case?
Yes. Forward-facing cameras can show the truck’s following distance, speed, and reaction time, and an attorney can act quickly to preserve the footage before it’s overwritten.
Talk to a California Rear-End Truck Accident Attorney Today
A rear-end truck crash can leave you dealing with pain, medical bills, and time away from work. BD&J can help you hold the right parties accountable. Families who lost a loved one may be able to pursue a wrongful death claim, and you can see how we’ve helped others on our case results page.
Contact BD&J at 1-855-906-3699 or complete our online form for a free, confidential case review. Our team is available 24/7, and there are no fees until we win.*
