Commercial trucks are essential to our economy, transporting goods across vast distances. However, their size and weight make truck accidents potentially more devastating than those involving smaller vehicles.
Several types of truck accidents can result depending on the cause and circumstances. Regardless of the kind of trucking collision you experience, you should feel free to discuss your case with a Booneville truck accident lawyer for guidance and direction.
The Most Common Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents happen every day, leaving behind severe physical injuries and financial burdens for victims. In the most serious cases, trucking collisions result in fatalities. In a recent year, over 5,000 trucks were involved in fatal crashes, an almost two percent increase from the previous year and a shocking 49 percent in the last ten years.
People traveling in smaller vehicles are highly vulnerable. Commercial trucks weigh 20 to 30 times as much as cars and are much taller than regular vehicles. These details contribute most to the catastrophic aftermath of many trucking collisions.
Trucking accidents can happen in many ways. The following are just some of the most common types of commercial truck crashes.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions occur when a truck crashes into the back of a vehicle in front of it. This type of accident is common in situations where the leading vehicle has stopped suddenly or slowed down significantly. Common causes of rear-end collisions include:
- Driver distraction: Truck drivers often engage in various distractions, including texting, talking on the phone, and eating. Long working hours and boredom often contribute to distracted driving.
- Tailgating: Trucks should always keep a safe distance between vehicles, especially because stopping distance and time are longer for large trucks. Following too closely increases the likelihood of a rear-end collision, particularly in heavy traffic or bad weather.
- Braking issues: Problems with the truck’s braking system can prevent the driver from stopping in time. Truck braking capability is regularly a factor in collisions, especially when brake systems are not regularly inspected and repaired.
Rear-end collisions can take victims by surprise and lead to severe injuries for the occupants of the struck vehicle, including whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming an angle with the cab that resembles a folding knife. It can lead to a severe loss of control. Some causes of jackknife collisions include:
- Emergency braking: Abrupt braking can cause the trailer to slide out if the trailer’s wheels lock up.
- Overloading: A truck’s cargo must be carefully loaded and weighed to help prevent overloading. Excessive weight can affect the truck’s stability, increasing the risk of jackknifing.
- Poor weather conditions: Rain, ice, or snow can cause a truck driver to lose control over their vehicle, causing the truck to side and jackknife. It is more likely to happen when drivers are driving poorly without adapting their driving to bad weather conditions.
Jackknife accidents can be particularly dangerous due to the truck’s extended trailer blocking multiple lanes of traffic, causing significant property damage and injuries to other drivers. These collisions often end in multi-vehicle pileups.
Rollover Accidents
In a rollover accident, the truck tips over onto its side or flips over and lands on the roof. This type of collision can cause substantial damage to the truck itself and pose severe risks to others on the road. Rollover accidents are commonly the result of:
- High speeds: Speeding is dangerous for all drivers and increases the chances of accidents. Excessive speed around curves and corners can destabilize a truck.
- Uneven load distribution: Poorly distributed cargo can shift during transit, leading to instability and rollovers.
- Sharp turns: When a truck driver takes turns too quickly, it can lead to the truck losing balance and rolling over.
Rollover accidents often result in catastrophic damage and injuries, including potential fatalities. The risk to other road users is considerable, and cleanup and recovery operations can be extensive.
Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks have larger blind spots than other vehicles, and accidents can occur when a truck driver is unable to see a vehicle in these blind spots, leading to collisions. Some of the reasons why blind spot accidents most often occur include:
- Inadequate mirrors: Trucks should always be equipped with proper mirrors; small, simple mirrors won’t do. Trucks with insufficient or poorly adjusted mirrors can increase blind spots, making it harder to see other vehicles in the area.
- Aggressive maneuvering: Truck drivers must maneuver carefully to avoid hitting cars in other lanes. Changing lanes without proper checking can cause a collision if another vehicle is in the blind spot.
Vehicles in the truck’s blind spots are at risk of being sideswiped or forced off the road. These accidents can lead to severe injuries for the occupants of the affected vehicle.
T-Bone Accidents
A t-bone accident, or side-impact collision, occurs when a truck crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These collisions are normally caused by:
- Running red lights: Truck drivers who run red lights or fail to yield can cause a collision with the side of an oncoming vehicle, resulting in a T-bone accident.
- Poor visibility: Inadequate visibility at intersections due to weather conditions or obstructions can lead to t-bone collisions.
Injuries from t-bone accidents can be severe, and there is often significant property damage. T-bone collisions can also be deadly, especially for drivers or passengers directly affected by the impact.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a truck and slides underneath it. It can be extremely dangerous for occupants of the smaller trapped vehicle. Common causes of underride collisions include:
- Lack of proper guards: Trucks must be equipped with underride guards in an attempt to prevent cars from getting stuck, but if these guards are damaged or missing, the risk of underride accidents increases.
- Following too closely: When a truck driver is tailgating, they risk crashing with the vehicle and causing it to get trapped underneath the truck.
Underride collisions often result in devastating injuries or fatalities to occupants of the smaller vehicle. Legal action may focus on the truck’s lack of compliance with safety regulations.
Wide Turn Accidents
Large commercial trucks make wide turns, so drivers must take special care when turning. Trucks making wide turns, especially in urban areas, can accidentally collide with vehicles or pedestrians if the driver does not adequately check their surroundings. Wide turn accidents regularly occur due to the following:
- Improper turning: Trucks making turns without accounting for their large size and the need for extra space can encroach on other lanes.
- Limited visibility: The truck’s size can obstruct the driver’s view of nearby vehicles and pedestrians.
Wide-turn accidents can result in injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers in the vicinity. Ensuring proper truck driver training and enforcing compliance with traffic laws can help reduce these incidents.
Cargo Spills
Cargo spills occur when cargo becomes unsecured and falls off the truck, leading to road obstructions and potential accidents. Causes of cargo spills include:
- Improper loading: Cargo that is not properly loaded or secured can shift during transit and fall off.
- Mechanical failures: Problems with the truck’s cargo containment system can lead to spills.
Cargo spills can create hazardous conditions on the road, leading to collisions and injuries. Additionally, the cleanup process can be time-consuming and costly.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions involve the truck crashing into another vehicle or object directly in front of it. These accidents are often severe due to the high-impact forces involved. Common causes of head-on collisions include:
- Driver fatigue: Although regulations exist to avoid excessive working hours, drivers are still regularly forced to work longer than normal hours to arrive at their destinations on time. This can result in serious driver fatigue and lead to drivers falling asleep at the wheel and veering into oncoming traffic.
- Reckless driving: Aggressive or impaired driving can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles, resulting in head-on collisions.
Head-on collisions typically end in extensive injuries and fatalities. Legal and insurance claims can be complex due to the severity of these accidents.
Mechanical Failure Accidents
Mechanical failure accidents occur when a truck’s equipment malfunctions, leading to a loss of control and other dangerous situations. Causes of mechanical failures include:
- Poor maintenance: Federal regulations require regular maintenance and repairs of commercial vehicles. Failure to maintain trucks can lead to issues with brakes, tires, and steering, among many others.
- Defective parts: Defects with a part’s design or issues with manufacturing can cause unexpected malfunctions during transit.
Ensuring regular inspections and maintenance is necessary for safety. Several parties, including trucking companies, can be at fault for accidents caused by mechanical failures.
Liability for Trucking Collisions
Many parties can be at fault for a truck accident, depending on the cause of the collision. Some of the parties often liable for truck accidents include:
- Truck drivers
- Trucking companies
- Truck owners
- Cargo owners
- Maintenance and repair companies
- Cargo loaders
- Product designers, manufacturers, and distributors
Determining liability can be particularly challenging for truck accident cases, but it is necessary to ensure you obtain proper compensation. Multiple parties can be at fault for a collision, adding to the situation’s complexity.
What To Do Following a Truck Accident
After a commercial truck accident, you may be confused and unsure of what to do. It’s essential to remember that what you do in the moments and days after your collision can influence your rights and potential compensation.
Get Medical Treatment
Truck accident injuries are often severe and require immediate attention. Seek proper medical attention as soon as possible.
Even if you believe you’ve walked away with insignificant injuries, getting a thorough medical examination is always best. Doing so can provide clarity on the severity of your injuries and allow you to begin treatment and recovery.
Along with the importance of treatment for your physical well-being, medical records play a crucial role in your truck accident case. Strong medical documentation can help support your claim and prove the full extent of your injuries.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Even if you’re not at fault for your truck accident, you must still notify your insurer. Most insurance companies expect to be made aware of a collision with their insured vehicle within a “reasonable time,” but some insurers are more specific on timeframes. Be sure to contact your insurance company as soon as possible to avoid issues.
Gather Evidence
When possible, gather relevant evidence for your accident. It can include photos, witness information, and bills. The evidence you collect can help your case, and your truck accident lawyer can obtain more as your claim proceeds.
Consult with a Truck Accident Attorney
A truck accident lawyer can provide the care and direction you need during a trying time. As soon as you’re able, schedule a consultation with a local truck accident lawyer. Your attorney can review the specifics of your case to determine the next steps and take on your case to pursue beneficial compensation on your behalf.
Time Restrictions to Take Legal Action After a Trucking Collision
No matter the type of truck accident you experience, you only have a limited time to file a legal compensation claim. Depending on the statute of limitations in your state, you may only have one to six years to file a lawsuit, if necessary.
Failing to file your claim on time can result in forfeiting your rights to seek financial recovery. Therefore, the sooner you hire a truck accident lawyer, the quicker they can begin working on your case and pursuing justice and compensation.
Following a Truck Accident, Speak with an Experienced Attorney
Truck accidents come in various forms, each with distinct causes and implications. A skilled lawyer can help determine the cause of your collision and who is liable for your injuries and losses.
Seeking professional help is crucial to addressing the challenges associated with truck accident cases and securing appropriate compensation. When you suffer harm in a commercial trucking collision, do not wait to speak with a local personal injury attorney right away.
