What Is A Bobtail Truck?

 

Why You Need A Charlotte NC Personal Injury Truck Lawyer For A Bobtail Truck Accident.

 

We all know that truckers have a bit of their own lingo.  This is the case for Bobtail trucks.  This term refers to the semi-truck that doesn’t have a trailer attached. 

While this is the most popular version of a bobtail truck.  There are other versions as well.  

When every axel is attached to the same chassis on small and medium-sized trucks it will also be called a bobtail.  There are bobtail dump trucks and a bobtail delivery truck.  

Another type of bobtail truck is a straight propane truck.  Basically, any small or medium-sized truck has a specifically designed tank attached to it.  

There are many reasons that you might encounter a bobtail truck.  However, they are very dangerous.

Many times they are carrying explosive materials, or the load could be uneven.  We offer bobtail trailer accident attorney services that assist those that have been in an accident with a bobtail truck and have been hurt. 

We work with you to seek the compensation that you deserve.  Contact us at (980) 239-2275, and let’s see what we can do to help.

Why are Semis with No Trailers so Dangerous?

Semis are designed to carry heavy loads. So, when they don’t have a load, they are much harder to control and maneuver than when they are full.  Their weight ratio isn’t as good, and their center of gravity is shifted because they don’t have the trailer attached that they were made to haul. 

Most of a semi’s braking power is under the trailers in the back. But, when they don’t have trailers, they don’t have these brakes. 

This brake reduction and weight reduction combined with the center of gravity being off can be a real problem.  They must rely on the front brakes, but the front wheels are not designed for stopping.

This can lead to catastrophic injuries.

They are designed for steering.  Again, this can lead to accidents due to the equipment.  If you have had an accident with a bobtailed truck, we can help.

The Dangers of a Small Bobtail Truck

As we talked about before, some trucks have special tanks attached to the back of the chassis. These types of bobtail trucks are used for delivery and hauling fuel mostly.   However, you don’t need a special license for this type of truck. 

Think about renting a moving truck. Those big box trucks don’t require you to have a special license to operate. You simply need to have a regular driver’s license, and they will pretty much rent to anyone. 

Many companies will hire people to drive around these moving trucks during the holidays to assist with the holiday deliveries.  These drivers do not have to have any special license and often try to read a GPS while driving these trucks they are not used to. 

This can be a combination that could lead to accidents and injuries. If you have been injured by a delivery truck driver or any type of bobtail truck, we are here to help. Give us a call at (980) 239-2275.

Propane Trucks are Considered Bobtail Trucks

Propane trucks are considered bobtail trucks. These trucks are very heavy and dangerous. They carry an explosive material in their tank that could explode upon impact.  However, these tanks are very regulated and typically do not explode. 

They could get a leak, however, which could cause environmental issues.  If you have been in an accident with a propane bobtail truck, know your rights.  Be sure that you are protected, and your expenses are covered.  

Most truck drivers try to avoid bobtailing. This is because it is dangerous, but it is also not making any money. 

They make money when there is a trailer attached.  While this is typically avoided, there are times that a trucker will have to drop their trailer and move to another location to pick up one. 

Most truck drivers don’t like to drive this way as it is much harder to maneuver and stop when there isn’t a trailer attached.  

Without a trailer, the front of the truck is much heavier than the back. This makes it more tippy. The front wheels are designed for steering and not braking, making it harder to stop.  A truck in bobtail mode cannot stop as easily as it can with a trailer on the back.

This means that if they try to stop suddenly, they most likely will skid into the car in front of them.  The driver might try to maneuver the bobtail.  However, due to the design of the truck, this can make it top-heavy and flip over.  

Bobtail Truck Accident

There are many reasons why a bobtail truck could be in an accident. While in some cases it is the driver’s fault and they should have left enough room to stop in time. 

Other times it is the drivers around them that simply don’t understand that a semi-truck bobtailing cannot stop and cut them off without realizing how dangerous that is.  

If you have been in an accident with a bobtail truck. The first thing you need to do is seek the medical attention that you need. 

Be sure that all the drivers are okay.  Getting medical attention at the scene will help document everything so that it is easier to prove that your injuries were directly related to the accident. 

If you don’t seek medical attention right away, your attorney will have to prove that your injuries were directly related to the accident and did not exist before. You will also need to prove that your injuries were more serious than you initially thought. 

Give us a call and let’s take a look at your accident and how we can help. Best car accident lawyer Charlotte NC

Once you are medically stable, you will need to get in touch with a bobtail truck accident attorney.   We can go over everything and determine if you have a case. 

You only have a case in our office if the accident was determined to be caused by the bobtail truck driver.  Who is at fault and why is important, and what type of compensation do you want to achieve. 

Bobtail Truck Accident Lawyer

Call the Charlotte NC Car Accident Lawyers Group at (980) 239-2275 to get a complimentary case evaluation.