Accidents involving large trucks in Georgia are 4.5 times more likely to cause serious injuries or death than other types of accidents. The contributing factors to accident severity when semi-trucks and other large commercial trucks are involved include the size and weight of the truck, as well as other factors like speed and type of cargo.
A large truck’s load makes it more challenging to maneuver and come to a stop, but even without a trailer on the back, semi-trucks create dangerous driving conditions.
What is Bobtailing?
Bobtailing occurs when a semi-truck does not have a trailer attached to the cab. This commonly happens when a driver is on the way to pick up a load or has just dropped off a trailer filled with cargo.
It may seem like the most dangerous factor for large trucks is the added weight, length, and instability of their trailer, but bobtailing is also dangerous.
How Bobtailing Causes Accidents
One way that bobtailing causes accidents in Georgia is the driver’s unfamiliarity with operating their rig without the trailer. The conditions and maneuvers for operating a semi-truck without the trailer versus with the trailer are significant. While most drivers are properly trained on how to operate their trucks with and without the trailer, truckers who are not used to a bobtail may make mistakes that lead to accidents.
The other issue with bobtailing is the way it distributes weight on the tires and impacts braking.
Braking in Bobtail Trucks
Semi-trucks carry most of their weight on their front wheels. This is beneficial when a trailer is attached to the truck because it creates a more even distribution of weight. However, a bobtail truck does not have evenly distributed weight, which makes maneuvering a challenge. Braking when bobtailing must be handled cautiously because the weight on the front tires can cause truckers to lose control more easily.
Braking capabilities are limited when bobtailing because there is very little weight over the back tires, and most of the braking power is focused on anticipation of heavy cargo loads. Hard braking often causes truckers to lose control of their rig when bobtailing.
How to Prevent Georgia Bobtailing Accidents
The only way to completely prevent bobtailing accidents would be for truckers to always operate their rigs with trailers attached. However, even though preventing all bobtail accidents may not be possible, there are ways for every driver to contribute to decreasing the number of these accidents, including:
- Give bobtail trucks extra space
- Be mindful of bobtail truck blind spots
- Stay clear of bobtail trucks on windy or steep roads
- Don’t make sudden maneuvers in front of bobtail trucks
Truck drivers also have a duty to operate their semis carefully, as other motorists do not bear all of the responsibility for preventing accidents. If you have been injured by a negligent or careless bobtail truck driver, you may be entitled to damages.
Bobtail Truck Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA
Flanagan Law has the experience, knowledge, and dedication you need when facing a bobtail truck accident claim. Our Atlanta attorneys are ready to support you in your accident case with strategic representation that maximizes your chances of a favorable outcome. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
