Many of us see semi-trucks and 18-wheelers when we are out and about driving on the road daily. These large vehicles are necessary for our nation’s economy, transporting cargo to meet consumer demand.
However, they are also the cause of thousands of accidents each year. These accidents can be more dangerous or even deadlier than car accidents, as trucks, when fully loaded, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds while many cars weigh less than 3,000 pounds.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
There are several different types of trucking crashes, mainly because there are several different potential causes. These causes can be related to mechanical error, truck driver error, load shifts and sometimes error on other drivers’ behalf.
If you have been injured in one of these types of accidents, it is essential to contact one of our truck accident lawyers to help you determine liability and get the compensation you deserve.
Head-On Collision Accident
These accidents occur when tractor-trailers hit other vehicles head-on. This can be due to mechanical errors, such as faulty brakes, or driver error, such as distracted driving or driver fatigue. These errors can cause the truck to swerve into oncoming traffic, resulting in severe injuries and often fatalities.
Rear-End Collision Accident
Occurring when a truck fails to stop in time, these accidents involve either rear-ending or driving over another vehicle. Some of these accident’s common causes are tailgating and distracted driving. These large trucks are much more massive than smaller cars and require more time and space to come to a complete stop.
Jackknife Accidents
In order to understand the cause of a jackknife accident, it is essential to note that an 18-wheeler is technically two parts merged by a hitch, which allows the truck to make turns and maneuver more easily. These parts are the cab and the trailer. If a driver brakes too suddenly, it can cause the trailer to pivot towards the cab, colliding with any vehicles in the immediate vicinity.
Failure to Yield
A rise in failure to yield accidents have occurred over the past few years. This occurs when the driver of the 18-wheeler comes to a stop sign or yield sign and fails to allow the traffic with the right of way to continue unimpeded. Many truck drivers will fail to stop or yield at the traffic control sign because they wrongfully anticipate that other drivers will see them and be able to stop though they are blocking the road. Many of these accidents result in the sheering off the roof of automobiles and SUVs which cause serious injuries and death to the occupants.
Blind Spot Accidents
Semi-trucks have significant blind spots, which can cause serious accidents when changing lanes. It can be challenging for truck drivers to see cars that may pass them, and may cause a collision with other vehicles due to being unable to correct back into their lane in time.
Rollover Accidents
Caused when a truck rolls over on its side, these accidents are appropriately named. Suppose a driver loses control of their truck, either due to mechanical failure or driver error. In that case, the truck can roll onto its side and slide, causing damage and injuries to any vehicles surrounding it.
Underride Accidents
This type of accident often occurs when a vehicle is riding too closely behind a semi-truck, and the truck suddenly has to come to a stop. The other driver’s reaction to the truck’s sudden stop can cause it to become lodged under the truck, resulting in damage, injury, and even death.
Tire Blowout Accidents
A tire blowout on a semi-truck can have the same result as a smaller vehicle: loss of control. What makes accidents due to a truck tire blowout more dangerous is that these vehicles are much larger and heavier, causing more significant impact and injury.
Wide Turn Accidents
Truck drivers are specifically licensed to drive the extra large vehicles. They are trained on how to properly make wide turns to avoid trapping or colliding with other vehicles. Failure to follow regulations when maneuvering a truck in a turn can cause both property damage and injury.
Lost Load Accidents
When a driver fails to secure the load they are hauling properly, their cargo may shift and cause accidents in multiple ways. If cargo flies off the truck, it has the potential to hit another vehicle or land in the path of another vehicle. The shifting of cargo can also throw the truck off balance, causing the driver to lose control.
T-Bone Accidents
This type of accident is caused when a truck driver fails to stop when required, such as at a red light or stop sign. This intentional error can cause severe damage, injury, and in some cases, fatalities. Especially to the passengers of the vehicle who are sitting on the side of the impact.
Truck Accident Attorneys You Can Trust
At Strickland & Kendall, we offer a client experience that is personal and results-driven. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident and believe you have a claim, contact our personal injury law firm today.
Our goal is to help you get the compensation you deserve for any damages and injuries you have suffered. We are ready to assist you; call us at 334-269-3230 for a free consultation, offered 24/7.