Types of Truck Accidents

Anyone who regularly drives on highways and interstates will share the road with trucks. Trucks are an important part of the economy and essential to a society’s survival, yet these vehicles’ large size can pose a high risk to other motorists. When a truck driver is negligent, or a trucking company fails to uphold government safety regulations, it can lead to catastrophic accidents. Unsuspecting motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians are at risk of suffering extensive injuries and significant property damage in a trucking accident. If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident, hiring a truck accident attorney who possesses a thorough understanding of the complex laws related to the trucking industry is crucial to the success of your case. Because the trucking company will almost certainly begin an investigation right away, secure an attorney who will investigate your claim and preserve evidence in your case as soon as possible.

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Common Injuries from Truck Accidents

The aftermath of most truck accidents is often devastating. Common injuries truck collisions are responsible for can include:

• Broken, dislocated, or fractured bones
• Severe burns
• Amputations or loss of limbs
• Paralysis
• Spine injuries
• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Whiplash
• Disfigurement
• Internal bleeding
• Internal organ damage
• Death

While preserving documentation in a truck accident case is essential, most victims involved in truck accidents seek medical attention as soon as possible following the collision. It is necessary to remember that your medical needs should come first. Even if you feel fine, symptoms of your injuries can be delayed for a few hours and might only grow to be more serious in the days following the crash.

Different Types of Trucks You Will See on the Road

Understanding the different types of trucks you may see on the road can help you avoid accidents by preparing you to spot danger before it’s too late. Every truck has a specific purpose. With the wide range of commercial trucks on the roadway, it can become difficult to tell them apart. Here are the most common types of large trucks you might see on your next drive.

• Tractor-Trailers – also known as “semi-trailers,” “18-wheelers,” or “big rigs,” these trucks are typically known for hauling cargo. These large vehicles have numerous blind spots, which can be extremely dangerous to other motorists. Tractor-trailers also have a high center of gravity, making them prone to roll-overs.
• Garbage Trucks – also known as dumps trucks, can often be found in residential vehicles carrying loads of waste, construction materials, gravel, dry materials, or demolition debris. Because the large loads dump trucks have are often top-heavy, it often causes large blind spots or a tip-over risk. Motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians traveling near garbage trucks put themselves at considerable risk of being hit by falling or flying debris.
• Flatbed Trucks– are a popular option for trucking companies because the vehicle’s unique design can transport wide, large, or irregularly shaped loads. Flatbed trucks are large vehicles free from a roof or sides. These vehicles are ideal for tackling heavyweight, making them more prone to accidents. Because of the truck’s open design, improperly secured cargo may become dislodged, hit other vehicles, and lead to a catastrophic accident.
• Tanker Trucks-are responsible for transporting liquids and gasses, some of which are hazardous industrial chemicals. These trucks are prone to roll-overs due to their large size and shape. When the tanks in these vehicles hold flammable gas or liquid, it can be incredibly dangerous, causing toxic substance fumes to be released.
• Tow Trucks– these large vehicles can weigh upwards of 10,000 pounds or more. Tow trucks are responsible for most truck accidents and only become more dangerous when towing other cars or trucks. Additionally, these vehicles often have larger blind spots than smaller passenger cars making them more susceptible to accidents.

What Are Some Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

While truckers can avoid most truck accidents, truck accidents remain common and result in numerous fatalities every year. Many natural factors play a role in these accidents; however, driver negligence causes most truck accidents. Some common causes of truck accident crashes include:

• Bad Weather: Even driving a standard passenger vehicle in snow, ice, rain, fog, or extreme is difficult enough. For truck drivers, maintaining a safe driving distance between them and other vehicles through severe weather conditions is even harder. Heavy winds are hazardous for trucks. Strong winds can push the trailer attached to the cab into another lane, causing a collision.
• Poor Road Conditions: A truck’s tires can become badly affected by many distresses on the road. Some examples of poor road conditions include potholes, narrow lanes, highways without shoulders, patches, alligator cracking, longitudinal cracking, or unpaved roads. Additionally, driving around road construction by getting onto the shoulder or traveling in the median might also lead to accidents.
• Driver Inexperience: a truck driver should never be excused for inexperience behind the wheel or unfamiliarity with roads. It is a truck driver’s job to be familiar with the vehicle they’re operating and know what routes they’re traveling. Despite this, in some cases, a truck driver may be unfamiliar or unprepared for a narrow, curvy, or rough road, which increases the chances of an accident. A trucking company may also be liable for an accident if they inadequately or improperly train one of their employees.
• Overloading Cargo: The heavier a truck is, the more difficult it becomes to maneuver. Under the law, a truck can carry only a certain amount of cargo at any given time. Exceeding this limit by even an extra pound is not only a violation of the law but can cause the truck to jackknife, tip over, or produce hazardous flying debris.
• Poor Maintenance: a trucking company must document all maintenance checks. If the company fails to perform these safety checks and a defective component of the truck caused the accident, the company risks being responsible for the accident. Ensuring that a truck is not driving with faulty brakes or worn tires is essential and can prevent the driver from losing control and causing a horrific accident.
• Speeding: a truck driver requires sufficient distance between them and another vehicle to slow down and stop safely. If drivers fail to maintain this lap gap, they risk injuring other motorists.

Various rules and regulations are in place for truckers and trucking companies. Some other common causes of a truck accident are distracted driving, driving while under the influence, or aggressive driving. If a truck driver is negligent or a company ignores standard safety practices, it can lead to a devastating collision.

The Most Common Types of Truck Crashes

Regular drivers need to understand the many different types of truck accidents. When a truck driver or trucking company neglects safety rules, it can lead to disastrous consequences. Some of the most common types of truck accidents that happen include:

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident can happen when a truck driver travels at high speeds and suddenly hits the brakes. A jackknifing truck swings out at a 90-degree angle and can easily overturn, roll over, or sweep anything coming its way, causing a devastating accident.

Rollover Accidents

Truck drivers who are speeding or driving recklessly while maneuvering a large truck filled with heavy cargo can cause the vehicle to roll. Truck roll-overs lead to catastrophic accidents and hazardous consequences for other motorists and pedestrians.

Blind Spot Accidents

Semi-trucks and big rigs have significant blind spots, and when a trucker cannot see other motorists or cyclists adjacent to their truck, it can result in an accident. Smaller vehicles and bikes switching lanes or making a turn risk getting hit or crushed if they are traveling in a truck driver’s blind spot. You may often see signs that read, “if you can’t see my mirror, I can’t see you,” on large commercial trucks. It is essential to adhere to these warnings while driving near large trucks.

Head-on and Read-end Accidents

Head-on accidents can happen when truck drivers speed and collide with other motorists. These accidents often result in devastating and fatal consequences for drivers in smaller passenger vehicles. If a truck driver collides with another motorist in a rear-end accident or backs over another vehicle, it can lead to severe injuries and causes death in most cases.

T-Bone Accident

T-bone accidents happen when a truck driver runs a red light and collides with another vehicle, cyclist, or even pedestrians. These types of accidents are some of the easiest to occur and put the lives of innocent people at significant risk.

Underride Accidents

Some of the deadliest truck accidents, underride collisions, happen when a truck driver stops suddenly, and an approaching car becomes trapped under the tractor-trailer. The use of side guards on semi-trucks can prevent some underride accidents. These accidents can result in horrible deaths because the roof of the smaller vehicle that slides underneath the truck often tears off in the process.

Tire Blowouts

A tire blowout can happen to any vehicle, but it can put other motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians at significant risk when a blowout occurs on a large commercial truck. Inexperienced drivers tend to panic when a tire blows out and will lose control of their vehicle. Because trucks are especially vulnerable to blowouts, truck drivers must possess a high level of experience with handling large vehicles.

Trucking Accidents FAQ

What type of damages can someone recover in a truck accident claim?

Injuries and property damage in truck accident cases are often significant, and any monetary damages awarded to victims should reflect the severity of wrongdoing. If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a negligent truck crash, you may recover:

• Medical expenses (including future expenses)
• Lost wages
• Emotional pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Loss of consortium
• Punitive damages

What can I sue in a truck accident claim?

Determining liability in car accident claims is often complex, so consult an experienced truck accident attorney before filing an injury claim. Along with the truck driver, some examples of other parties you may hold liable for your injuries in a truck accident claim can include:

• The truck manufacturer
• The trucking company
• The vehicle manufacturer
• The truck owner
• Other motorists
• The cargo loaders

Consulting an experienced truck accident attorney is the best way to determine all liable parties in your case.

Can I file a personal injury lawsuit?

If you believe the actions of a careless or negligent truck driver, trucking company, or other potentially liable parties injured you, you may pursue a claim. A truck accident attorney can evaluate your case during an initial consultation to determine if filing a personal injury claim will be in your best interest.

What can a truck accident attorney do for my case?

A truck accident attorney can protect your rights with a thorough investigation that collects and preserves evidence to support your claims and identifies the negligent parties. Your truck accident attorney will also negotiate a settlement and ensure you receive full and fair compensation for your losses.

What steps should I take after a truck accident?

Seek medical attention after an accident with a large truck. Even if you feel fine, symptoms of more serious injuries can come on later, causing more significant damage if left untreated. If you can call the police to the accident scene, do so immediately. A police officer will document the crash with a traffic accident report. Never apologize after an accident and refrain from speaking with claims adjusters from the truck driver’s insurance company.

Consult a Truck Accident Attorney Today!

If you were injured in an accident with a negligent truck driver or hurt because of a trucking companies’ careless actions, you have a right to compensation. Let a truck accident attorney put their knowledge to work so you can recover full and fair compensation for your losses. No matter the type of truck accident you were in, Contact a lawyer who will review your case and advise you on your next steps.