A woman in Romulus was killed in June 2019 after a cement truck rolled on top of her vehicle. At the time the accident occurred, the woman was driving and cut off the cement truck, which caused the vehicle to lose control and toppled over onto the smaller vehicle.
On any given day, there are a number of cement trucks traveling throughout Michigan. The cement industry in the United States is reported to create 82.8 million tons of cement, which is then used to manufacture approximately $50 billion of concrete. The United States is the third-highest producer of cement in the world.
Given the strong presence of the cement industry in Michigan and the rest of the country, it is critical that all drivers understand how these accidents occur in order to avoid getting entangled with a cement truck.
Deadly Nature of Rollover Accidents
Many people know that rollover accidents can occur in high speed settings, but they can occur at lower speeds, as well. When these accidents occur, they often result in substantial damage to the vehicles involved as well as serious injuries and even fatalities for vehicle occupants.
One of the best ways to avoid ending up in a rollover accident is to make sure that you remain in control of your vehicle at all times. Keep a safe distance between your vehicle and other vehicles on the road.
Unique Nature of Cement Trucks
Although cement trucks can vary greatly in size, they often weigh as much as 30,000 pounds and can haul an additional 30,000 pounds of wet concrete.
Due to this substantial weight, there are several unique elements involved with cement trucks, which include:
- Cement trucks hauling concrete are very difficult to stop. If a cement truck driver is speeding or distracted and needs to immediately stop, it is unlikely that the driver will be able to do so in time.
- The substantial weight of cement trucks can greatly impact a vehicle’s handling, which means that rollover accidents are common with these vehicles. Unfortunately, these accidents sometimes result in these trucks rolling onto other vehicles. In these situations, given the great size and weight of a cement truck in comparison to the much smaller dimension of passenger vehicles, it is not difficult to determine which vehicle will be more seriously damaged.
- A truck’s axles as well as other parts are under a great deal of stress when a cement truck is fully loaded. As a result, it is critical for adequate inspection of the vehicles to be performed to make sure that they remain in good working condition.
- Time is often an important issue in accidents involving cement trucks. Unless a cement truck contains a separate water tank, concrete should be poured in under an hour from when it was mixed. The concrete will fail to work properly if more than 90 minutes elapse. As a result of these tight deadlines, cement truck drivers are often in a hurry to reach their destination, which can lead to rushed decisions while on the road.
Speak with an Experienced Attorney
At Jay Trucks and Associates, PC, our Clare personal injury lawyers understand the numerous complications that can arise following a truck accident. Contact our law office today to schedule a free initial consultation. Ph: (989) 601-2554.
