Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers | November 26, 2024 | Truck Accidents
Semi-trucks are a common fixture on roads throughout California. Yet, they still hold a level of mystery for many outside of the trucking industry. For example, what is a semi-truck exactly, and why are semi-trucks called semi trucks?
Ultimately, understanding more about these behemoth machines can help keep you safe on the road. Take a closer look at these four things you may not know about semi-trucks.
1. “Semi Truck” Is a Shortened Name
Everyone uses or is familiar with the term semi or semi-truck. But why is it called a “semi-truck” in the first place? “Semi truck” is actually a shortened version of the term “semi-trailer truck,” which officially refers to a truck trailer combo with a detachable trailer.
The driving part of the setup is called a semi-tractor, and the trailer part is known as the semi-trailer. If you look at a semi truck vs. full truck, you can see that the full truck does not have a detachable trailer.
2. There Is an Ongoing Trucker Shortage
It may not be noticeable to the average driver, but there is a years-long truck driver shortage. Many news reports, research, and industry participants have been speaking of this shortage for years. One study claims that in 2023, there was a shortage of more than 60,000 qualified drivers.
3. Semi Trucks Log Billions of Miles Per Year In the U.S.
Semi-trucks drive massive distances in order to get goods to their destinations. What many people don’t know is just how many miles these machines log each year. Overall, semi trucks log hundreds of billions of miles per year in the United States.
Individually, the number of miles that a driver drives can vary. However, it is quite common for truckers working full-time to clock near or over 100,000 miles per year.
Keep in mind that there is a legal limit to the number of miles a driver may drive at any given time. Federal hours-of-service rules set ceilings on the number of hours a trucker can drive both daily and weekly.
4. Operating a Semi Is More Challenging Than Driving a Car
Semi-trucks may seem simply like larger versions of cars. However, they are much more challenging to operate than passenger vehicles. While drivers of these trucks use gears, gas, and wheels, the size, power, and complexity of semi trucks require that drivers have more skill and training than a standard automobile driver.
For example, these trucks can have up to 18 gears on a manual transmission to work through, whereas the standard automobile possesses an automatic transmission. For cars with manual transmissions, the gears often go no higher than six. This means even a car driver familiar with a manual transmission may have initial challenges when they first drive a manual semi-truck.
Nowadays, automatic transmissions in semi trucks are standard in many places. Some fleets have them exclusively. But just because a semi-truck is an automatic does not mean that a standard car driver will have no problems driving it. The size and power of the machine can be initially disorienting, leading to serious accidents without proper training.
Air brakes can also be problematic for inexperienced drivers, as standard cars do not have them. This is another reason why extensive training is required before operating a semi-truck.
Staying Safe On the Road
For drivers of these vehicles, taking steps to minimize the risk of catastrophic accidents on the road is vital. The immense size of these vehicles requires great care during operation and consistent maintenance for safety. Even the most careful driver can cause an accident, though. Fortunately, while the consequences of a semi-truck accident can be extensive, California law allows victims of these crashes to seek compensation for any injuries and losses sustained.
Contact the Truck Accident Lawyers of Pines Salomon Injury Lawyers in S[CITY], CA, for Help Today
For more information, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer at Pines Salomon Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free initial consultation today.
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835 5th Avenue #302, San Diego, CA 92101
(858) 551-2090
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