A CMV collision is one that involves a commercial motor vehicle (CMV), such as a bus or semi-truck. When a commercial motor vehicle strikes a passenger vehicle, the occupants of the passenger vehicle may suffer severe injuries. This is because CMVs can be much larger and heavier than smaller vehicles, which can lead to slower stop times and harder impacts.
CMVs transport goods, passengers, or equipment for commercial purposes. Common examples of CMVs include:
- Tractor-trailers
- Delivery trucks
- Dump trucks
- Buses
- Garbage trucks
Injuries Sustained in CMV Collisions
These collisions can be dangerous due to the size of most commercial motor vehicles. Even in low-speed collisions, major injuries can happen. These injuries can include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal trauma injuries
- Paralysis
These are just a few of the major injuries that can be sustained in a collision with a commercial motor vehicle. These major injuries can all lead to long lasting effects for victims and in some cases even death.
In North Carolina, there were there were 3,537 injuries and 168 total fatalities from CMV involved collisions in 2020.
Causes of CMV Collisions
The Department of Transportation reported 13,795 Commercial Motor Vehicle-involved collisions in North Carolina last year. Of these collisions failure to reduce speed, inattention, improper lane change and improper turning were the leading causes of CMV related collisions in North Carolina for 2020.
Due to the size of most CMVs, stopping on a dime is not possible. Therefore, any negligent action from the driver of a commercial motor vehicle can lead to a sever collision between the CMV and a passenger vehicle.
Automobile Collision Attorneys
Maginnis Howard’s lead personal injury attorney, T. Shawn Howard, is experienced in handling complex automobile collision cases, including those that involve CMVs.
You can contact our firm at (919).526.0450. Email inquiries may be sent to info@carolionalaw.com. You can also reach our firm through our contact page.