Types of Truck Accidents: Being Involved in a Truck Accident Lawsuit

Truck accidents can be a complete and utter catastrophe. So when they do happen, it’s important to take the right steps. After seeking immediate medical care, you need to hire an attorney to file a lawsuit against wrongdoers.

In this post, we discuss the common types of truck accidents and how they can be avoided. Let's take a look:

Types of Truck Accidents

Head-on and Rear-end Collisions

These kinds of accidents happen when a large truck collides with some other vehicle in a head-on position. A rear-end collision is when the front of the truck crashes with another vehicle on its rear end. In both types of accidents, the potential for damage is pretty high; particularly for the small vehicle as it has to bear the maximum impact.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife truck accident is when the driver applies sudden brakes. This causes the rear end of the truck aka the trailer to swing out at a 90-degree angle. This is a highly deadly situation as the tendency of the truck to completely roll over, resulting in major roadway danger.

Blind Spot Accidents

Because of the sheer size of a truck, the blind spots are generally much bigger when you compare them to a typical small vehicle. That's the reason why all trucks carry signs about blind spot saying, ‘I can't see you if you cannot see my mirror’. There’s a greater chance for the driver to lose sight of other vehicles driving in the blind spot, which as we mentioned, is rather huge.

Roll-over Accidents

Roll-over accidents happen when a driver completely loses control over the vehicle causing the trailer to roll over. If it’s carrying cargo it could fall out posing a significant danger to other vehicles and motorists on the road.

Underride Accidents

These are some of the deadliest kinds of accidents involving trucks. They happen when a truck stops so suddenly that the vehicles approaching behind it get stuck underneath the trailer. Because of the impact, it’s not uncommon for the top of the vehicle to completely rip off.

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends installing side guards to avoid accidents that might result in a semi-truck accident lawsuit.

Tire Blowouts

Because commercial trucks are some of the biggest on-road vehicles, their tires have to carry a ton of weight and pressure. This is why their tendency to blow out in the middle of transportation is higher compared to other vehicles. When that happens, the chances of accidents are super high.

Side-impact Accidents

These are also known as broadside collisions, T-bones, and angle collisions. Mostly they occur at an intersection. These are the least common types of truck accidents.

However, when they happen, the results are often catastrophic resulting in severe injuries and even death. In side-impact accidents, the truck smashes with a side vehicle in full force. Passengers, drivers, and any occupants will face the brunt of it.

These mostly occur as a result of the truck driver trying to speed through red lights or jump a stop signal.

The Most Common Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents

The common causes of truck accidents are - improper training of the driver, distracted driving, improper loading, equipment malfunctions, failure to install safety measures, etc. Truck accidents are the most severe kinds of accidents one can be in. They can result in life-altering injuries, property damage, and even death.

Below are the commonest injuries that result from trucking accidents:

● Broken bones
● Neck and back injuries
● Severe burns
● Spine and brain injuries
● Paralysis
● Loss of limbs
● Death

How to Prevent Truck Accidents

Most of the time truck accidents happen due to sheer back luck. Wrong places and wrong times are often the biggest causes. However, most of them are easily preventable. As a defensive driver, here are few measures you can take to avoid being in an accident and having to deal with a truck accident lawsuit.

Tip #1: Maintain Focus; Avoid Distracted-Driving

Distracted driving is easily the #1 cause of most truck accidents. Avoid using your phone for things like listening to podcasts, finding music, texting, calling, or even relying on the GPS for direction. There's nothing as distracting as phones.

If you do want to use GPS, it’s better to have an audible app that will tell you the directions. In this way, you won’t have to glance at the screen now and then.

Here’s why you should avoid even a hands-free cell phone:

Most people think that talking on the phone is no different from having a conversation with a passenger. But, that’s not true.

The thing is, when two people are in the same vehicle, the external environment is the same. You both are hearing and seeing the same things. If the passenger hears a siren or a danger approaching, he/she will stop speaking suddenly to pause the conversation.

But, when you’re on the phone, the other person has no idea what’s going on on your end. There's a greater chance you will try hard to stay focused. This often pulls the driver’s attention away from possible approaching dangers.

Things like eating and noisy passengers also contribute to distracted driving. Always maintain focus while handling a truck.

Tip #2: Leave Space Between Two Vehicles

This is the easiest way to avoid the majority of truck accidents. Leave plenty of room between the truck and other vehicles on the road. If you’re operating a small vehicle, try to pass quickly through the side. Don’t linger for too long. Maintain a lot of space when you’re behind a truck.

More space means more time for reacting and stopping quickly.

Contacting a Truck Accident Attorney

You must get in touch with a truck accident attorney if you’ve been in any kind of truck accident.

The thing is, there are multiple factors affecting liability. It’s easy to think that the driver is at fault. But, many things could have caused it like equipment malfunction, poor loading, etc. In this case, the trucking company is at fault.

Because things are always twisted, it’s best to work with an attorney. They know whether to sue the driver, the employment company, or even the manufacturer that made certain parts.

At Burnes Libman, we have handled thousands of truck accidents cases where our clients received major settlement amounts and claims. And, even though no amount can make up for the damage caused by the accident, the compensation you get could provide for long-term recovery. It could even make up for the loss of a job.

Author Bio

Steve Libman is the principal founder of the Center for Trucking Safety, a forum where advocates collaborate to improve motor carrier and transportation safety through litigation and legislation. He is recognized for arguing new and innovative theories of liability primarily against brokers and shippers to gain multi-million dollar recoveries on behalf of his clients. Most recently, Libman gained the national spotlight in two cases. In the first, he successfully obtained a $15.6 million wrongful death settlement in a federal court case against multiple parties, including a motor carrier, a transportation broker, and a shipper. In the second, he secured a $12.89 million wrongful death settlement in an oversized truck load case against multiple parties.