Trucking accidents often cause devastating injuries due to the size and weight of commercial vehicles. Knowing the most common types of truck accidents can help victims better understand how a collision may have happened and what it could mean for their right to financial compensation.
At David Blackwell Law, we know that dealing with a painful injury takes over your life, making it difficult to concentrate on anything but your recovery. We can help you by taking on your truck accident claim and seeking the compensation you deserve. Call for your free case consultation today.
Truck Rollovers
Rollover accidents involve a vehicle overturning onto its side or roof. Semi-trucks have a greater risk of flipping because of their high center of gravity, creating a hazard for other vehicles that may collide with the overturned truck. Common causes of truck rollovers include:
- Speeding – Traveling at high speeds reduces a truck driver’s ability to control the vehicle, increasing the risk of a rollover, especially on curves.
- Uneven roads – Potholes, dips, or uneven surfaces can destabilize a truck’s balance, causing it to tip over.
- Sharp turns – Taking turns too quickly or at a sharp angle can shift the truck’s center of gravity, leading to a rollover.
- Improper loading – Unbalanced or overloaded cargo can cause the trailer to sway, making the truck more prone to tipping over.
Rear-End Collisions
In rear-end collisions, a truck crashes into the back of a smaller vehicle. These accidents can cause severe damage to the vehicle in front, potentially causing neck, back, or head injuries due to the sudden impact. Rear-end truck accidents may be caused by:
- Short following distance – Following too closely leaves little time to react, making it difficult for truck drivers to stop and avoid rear-ending the car ahead.
- Fatigued driving – Drowsy truck drivers may have slower reaction times, increasing the likelihood of crashing into the vehicle in front.
- Distracted driving – Checking a phone, eating, or other distractions can prevent truckers from noticing stopped or slowing vehicles.
- Heavy traffic – Stop-and-go traffic creates frequent braking situations, raising the risk of trucks rear-ending smaller vehicles.
- Brake failure – Malfunctioning brakes can prevent a truck from stopping in time, especially on downhill slopes or when following closely behind other vehicles.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on crashes are among the most dangerous types of trucking accidents. These accidents happen when a truck crosses into oncoming traffic and crashes into the front of another vehicle. Causes of head-on collisions can include:
- Driver inattention – A distracted truck driver may drift into oncoming traffic, causing a dangerous head-on collision.
- Intoxicated driving – Alcohol or drug impairment can affect judgment and reaction times, leading to trucks veering into opposing lanes.
- Loss of vehicle control – Slippery roads or sudden mechanical failures can cause trucks to swerve into oncoming traffic.
- Wide turns – Executing a wide turn incorrectly can place a truck in the path of oncoming vehicles.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when the truck trailer swings out at an angle from the cab, forming the shape of a folding pocket knife. Jackknife accidents can cause multi-vehicle crashes as the truck’s trailer sweeps across lanes, potentially blocking highways and creating additional risks for other motorists. Contributing factors in jackknife accidents include:
- Improper braking – Sudden or uneven braking can cause the trailer to swing out of alignment.
- Poor road conditions – Wet, icy, or uneven roads reduce traction, increasing the chances of the trailer skidding and jackknifing.
- Mechanical defects – Malfunctioning brakes or faulty coupling systems can cause the trailer to lose stability and jackknife during operation.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents, or side-impact collisions, happen when the front of a truck strikes the side of another vehicle. They often take place at intersections when one driver runs a red light or fails to yield. Unfortunately, occupants seated on the side of impact often suffer serious injuries due to the minimal structural protection.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipe accidents occur when the side of a truck collides with another vehicle traveling next to it. Frequent causes of sideswipe accidents include:
- Inadequate signaling – Failure to signal lane changes leaves nearby drivers unaware of the truck’s movements, increasing the risk of a sideswipe.
- Drifting between lanes – Fatigued or distracted drivers might unintentionally drift into adjacent lanes, sideswiping nearby vehicles.
- Unsafe lane changes – Truck drivers may not see passenger vehicles if they don’t check their large blind spots, leading to accidental side collisions.
Wide Turn Accidents
Commercial trucks have a large turning radius, often swinging wide to make right-hand turns. In a wide turn accident, the truck may cut across multiple lanes or strike vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists caught in the turn’s path. Inexperienced drivers or those unfamiliar with the areas they’re driving in are more prone to making unsafe wide turns.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents are among the deadliest types of trucking accidents. These collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear or side of a truck. Causes of these accidents include:
- Improper truck maneuvers – Trucks making sharp turns, lane changes, or U-turns can inadvertently block other vehicles’ paths, creating underride hazards.
- Following too closely – Drivers who follow trucks too closely have less reaction time, heightening the risk of sudden stops.
- Lack of adequate underride guards – If trucks lack strong underride guards, smaller vehicles may slide under the trailer during a rear or side impact.
Get in Touch with Our Indian Land Truck Accident Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you need effective legal support to pursue the compensation you deserve. Trucking companies and their insurers often fight hard to avoid liability, and you don’t need the additional stress. Whether it’s a rear-end collision, a jackknife accident, or any other type of crash, the truck accident lawyers at David Blackwell Law are here to help you.
An experienced truck accident lawyer with our firm can handle your personal injury claim on your behalf. We’ll work to investigate the cause of the crash, identify liable parties, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve. Our team has secured millions for injury victims, including a $1.5 million recovery for a tractor-trailer crash. One of our clients said: “Getting into an accident is always an unfortunate event but having a great team like this on your side will make a huge difference.”
Get started today and call our office for your free consultation.