Tractor-trailers are composed of two parts – the tractor and the trailer. The tractor is the cab where the driver sits and operates the vehicle. The trailer is attached to and pulled by the tractor. Tractor-trailers are safest when the trailer is fully loaded with cargo. These large trucks are much more susceptible to accidents when hauling empty trailers.
Some companies prefer to operate their semi-trucks without trailers attached. These are known as bobtail trucks, and they can be just as dangerous. In fact, bobtailing accounts for about 5 percent of all truck accidents across the United States each year. It can be so dangerous that many trucking companies are required to add bobtail insurance if they intend to operate a bobtail vehicle.
If you’ve been injured or have suffered the wrongful death of a family member in a bobtail truck accident in New York City, call The Platta Law Firm at (212) 514-5100 for immediate assistance. Our New York truck accident attorneys understand the unique characteristics of these types of cases and can offer the depth of experience, breadth of knowledge, and innovative legal strategies needed to help you hold the trucking company accountable.
What Causes Bobtail Truck Accidents?
Pulling an empty trailer can be dangerous because the unloaded trailer is very light. As a result, it can become less stable and more susceptible to overturning at high speeds or when pulled in high winds. There are times when a truck owner will decide to operate the tractor alone, without any trailer affixed to the rear.
This is known as bobtailing, and if done with caution, it can be safe. However, bobtail trucks have a much higher center of gravity than fully-loaded and empty tractor-trailers. The higher a truck’s center of gravity, the more susceptible it is to overturning. Most bobtail truck accidents happen because:
Truck Drivers Lack Experience Operating Bobtail Trucks
It’s not every day you see a bobtail truck on the road. It’s much more common to see a combination vehicle – a tractor with a trailer attached. So, while truck drivers might have some training and education on operating a bobtail vehicle, they have much less practical experience. Inexperienced drivers might not understand how the braking system works without an affixed trailer, fail to compensate for the increased center of gravity when turning or taking curves, or have difficulty steering.
Braking Systems Are Designed to Pull Both a Tractor and a Trailer
Semi-trucks are equipped with braking systems designed to pull both the tractor and trailer, which, combined, are much heavier than the tractor on its own. When the tractor travels on its own, the brakes might not work as effectively under the lighter burden. As a result, they’re prone to locking up and might not react as quickly, leading to serious rear-end collisions or truck rollovers.
Bobtail Trucks Have a Higher Center of Gravity
A vehicle’s center of gravity is the point where the vehicle’s weight is evenly distributed. The higher a vehicle’s center of gravity, the more unstable the vehicle tends to be. When a vehicle is unstable, it’s more likely to overturn or roll over if the truck driver abruptly changes lanes, takes a sharp turn or curve without slowing down, or brakes suddenly.
How Can a Truck Accident Attorney Help Me After a Bobtail Accident in NYC?
Bobtailing can cause serious truck accidents, especially when operated by unskilled or inexperienced truck drivers. As the victim of an accident with a bobtailing vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation. Working with an experienced New York City truck accident lawyer near you can help you navigate a complex legal case and increase the odds of a meaningful financial recovery.
Taking on a trucking company or transportation service isn’t easy. The Platta Law Firm brings over 150 years of combined experience, in-depth knowledge of truck accident litigation, and a multi-million-dollar record of case results to the negotiating table. When you ask for our help after a bobtailing truck accident in NYC, we will:
- Coordinate a thorough, independent investigation into your bobtail truck accident to understand why it happened and how it might have been avoided.
- Determine who’s at fault and, by extension, financially responsible for your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
- Consult experts in the trucking industry and other specialties to strengthen our legal arguments.
- Help you exhaust insurance benefits available to you under New York’s no-fault system and demonstrate that you’re lawfully entitled to pursue additional compensation because your injuries meet the serious injury threshold.
- Represent you during negotiations with the trucking company, its insurance carrier, the truck’s driver, and other parties involved in your case.
- Help you decide whether it’s in your best interests to accept a settlement offer.
- Reject lowball offers and take your bobtail truck accident lawsuit to trial.
You have limited time to pursue compensation after a bobtail truck accident in New York City, so don’t hesitate to contact our personal injury law firm at (212) 514-5100 for assistance today. Your first consultation is free.