How long does it take to stop an 18-wheeler?

By just looking at an 18-wheeler, you know your passenger car – no matter how big – is no match for a large, commercial truck in an accident. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 40 tons and they flood the highways and roads in Texas every day. Truckers are supposed to be professional drivers who are aware of the rules of the road and understand how their vehicles speed, weight and proximity to other cars can affect drivers around them. Truck drivers in Texas are required to know exactly how long it takes their rig to stop, yet so many truckers still cause wrecks due to excessive speed or following too close behind other cars.


So how long does it take for a fully loaded tractor-trailer to stop?

In general, it takes an 18-wheeler 40 percent longer to come to a complete stop than an average car. Depending on road conditions and reaction time, it can take even longer.

• The stopping distance for a tractor-trailer that is fully loaded on dry pavement going at 60 mph is approximately 335 feet—a little over a football field. Keep in mind this does not include reaction time or the .5 second delay found in air brakes.
  
  
• New federal regulations require shorter braking distances of 250 feet for tractor-trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 0 to 85,000 lbs and 310 feet for those with a GVWR above 85,000 lbs. These new regulations do not affect existing vehicles. They only apply to tractors built after August 1, 2011 or August 1, 2013, depending on the vehicle configuration and GVWR.
  
  

If the truck driver that caused your accident was speeding or riding too closely behind you, that is negligence and will help prove your case in trial. If you believe the truck driver responsible for your 18-wheeler accident was negligent in his or her ability to stop their vehicle in time, contact the Texas truck wreck attorneys at the Anderson Law Firm. During our free case consultation, we will go over the facts of your wreck and discuss what your plan of legal action should be. We have experts and accident reconstructionists who can help prove your claim and win you money for your lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. For a free case review, contact us today.

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Mark Anderson has been practicing personal injury law since 1991 and is recognised as one of the best attorneys in his field.