Truck accidents can unfold in many ways, each with distinct causes, consequences, and potential injuries. Knowing the various types of truck accidents gives you a clearer picture of what may have occurred and what you might face moving forward.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a truck accident, hiring a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible is important so they can help you obtain compensation and justice for your losses.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident happens when a truck’s trailer swings out and forms an angle with the cab, resembling a folding pocketknife. This type of crash is often triggered by sudden braking, which causes the truck’s wheels to lock and lose traction. Once the trailer swings out of control, it can block multiple lanes of traffic, leaving cars and smaller vehicles in its path.
The force and unpredictability of a jackknife accident make it especially dangerous. The trailer can sweep across the road like a pendulum, striking vehicles and causing severe injuries. Drivers behind or beside the truck often have little time to react, leading to pileups and chaos.
Underride Collisions
Underride collisions are among the most catastrophic types of truck accidents. In these crashes, a smaller vehicle becomes lodged beneath the trailer of a truck. Rear-end or side-impact crashes are the most common scenarios for underride collisions. The height difference between a truck and a passenger car means the top of the smaller vehicle often takes the brunt of the impact.
Although underride guards are intended to prevent such accidents, they don’t always work as intended. In some cases, they may be absent altogether. When these safeguards fail, the results can be devastating, with injuries ranging from severe trauma to fatalities.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips over onto its side or roof. A truck’s high center of gravity makes it more susceptible to rolling over, especially during high-speed maneuvers, sharp turns, or sudden stops. Shifting cargo or overloaded trailers can also destabilize a truck, increasing the risk of a rollover.
The aftermath of a rollover is often chaotic. A tipped truck can block multiple lanes, spill cargo, and cause secondary accidents as drivers swerve to avoid the wreckage. Hazardous cargo, such as chemicals or fuel, can worsen the situation, leading to fires or environmental damage.
Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks have large blind spots, known as “no-zones,” on all sides. If a vehicle travels within these zones, the truck driver may not see it. When the driver changes lanes or makes a turn, they can collide with the unseen vehicle, leading to a blind spot accident.
These crashes are particularly common during lane changes or highway merges. Despite being trained to check mirrors and surroundings, truck drivers sometimes fail to account for vehicles in their blind spots. The size and weight of a truck mean even a minor collision can result in significant damage.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions involving trucks are far more severe than those involving smaller vehicles. The sheer weight and momentum of a truck can crush the rear of a passenger car, causing serious injuries to its occupants. These crashes often occur when truck drivers follow too closely or fail to stop in time during sudden traffic slowdowns.
Even at low speeds, a truck rear-ending another vehicle can have devastating consequences. Whiplash, head injuries, and spinal trauma are common in these accidents, and the damage to the vehicle is often extensive.
Wide Turn Accidents
Trucks require extra space to make wide turns, especially when turning right. Drivers must check for vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles before initiating the turn. When they fail to do so, wide-turn accidents can occur. These crashes often happen when a vehicle becomes trapped between the truck and the curb or the truck’s trailer swings into another lane.
Wide turn accidents highlight the challenges of sharing the road with large vehicles. A simple misjudgment or lack of awareness can have serious consequences for other drivers and pedestrians.
Lost Load Accidents
Improperly secured cargo is a major hazard in trucking. When cargo shifts, spills, or falls off a truck, it can create dangerous conditions for other drivers. A lost load might scatter debris across the road, forcing vehicles to swerve and potentially crash. In more severe cases, large or heavy items can fall directly onto another car, causing extensive damage.
Lost load accidents often involve multiple parties, including the driver, the cargo loaders, and even the company responsible for securing the load. The complexity of these accidents underscores the importance of hiring a truck accident lawyer immediately so they can investigate.
Hazardous Material Accidents
Trucks carrying hazardous materials pose unique risks. When a crash involves flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, or other dangerous substances, the consequences can extend far beyond the immediate collision. Fires, explosions, and environmental contamination are all possible outcomes of hazardous material accidents.
The impact of these crashes isn’t limited to those directly involved. Nearby communities can also be affected, especially if toxic substances leak into the air or water supply. Cleanup efforts and health concerns often complicate recovery.
Brake Failure Crashes
Brake failure is a common cause of truck accidents. A malfunctioning braking system can leave a truck driver unable to stop, particularly on steep inclines or in heavy traffic. Overheated brakes, poor maintenance, or manufacturing defects often play a role in these crashes.
When a truck’s brakes fail, the results can be catastrophic. The driver may lose control, causing a high-speed collision or even a multi-vehicle pileup. Brake failure highlights the importance of regular maintenance and proper vehicle inspection.
Head-On Collisions
A head-on collision with a truck is one of the deadliest types of crashes. A truck’s immense size and weight mean that the smaller vehicle often absorbs most of the impact. These accidents frequently occur when a truck drifts into oncoming traffic, whether due to driver fatigue, distraction, or medical emergencies.
The injuries resulting from a head-on collision are often life-altering or fatal. Survivors may face extensive medical treatment and long-term physical or emotional challenges.
Side-Swipe Accidents
Side-swipe accidents occur when a truck makes contact with the side of another vehicle while traveling in the same direction. These crashes are common during lane changes or merges, particularly when a truck driver doesn’t check blind spots thoroughly.
Although side-swipe collisions might seem less severe than other types of accidents, they can still cause significant damage. A smaller vehicle may be forced off the road or into other traffic, escalating the situation.
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Trucks are often involved in multi-vehicle pileups, especially on busy highways. When a truck collides with one vehicle, the force of the impact can set off a chain reaction involving multiple cars. Poor weather, reduced visibility, or sudden traffic slowdowns can make pileups even more likely.
The complexity of a multi-vehicle crash makes it challenging to determine who’s responsible. Investigations often involve reviewing driving behaviors, vehicle conditions, and road conditions.
Tire Blowouts
A truck tire blowout can lead to a sudden loss of control. The truck may swerve, jackknife, or even roll over, creating a hazardous situation for nearby vehicles. Debris from the blown tire can also scatter across the road, causing additional accidents.
Tire blowouts are often caused by underinflation, overloading, or manufacturing defects. Regular tire inspections and maintenance can help prevent these dangerous incidents.
Weather-Related Accidents
Adverse weather conditions make truck driving even more challenging. Rain, snow, fog, and ice can reduce visibility and make roads slippery. A truck driver’s failure to adjust to these conditions often leads to skidding, jackknifing, or rear-end collisions.
Fatigue-Related Crashes
Truck drivers often work long hours under tight schedules, making fatigue a significant issue. Drowsy drivers may react more slowly to hazards, drift out of their lanes, or even fall asleep at the wheel. Fatigue-related crashes are entirely preventable if drivers take breaks and follow hours of service regulations.
How a Truck Accident Lawyer Investigates Your Case
A truck accident lawyer is pivotal in helping victims obtain compensation after a crash. Each case requires a detailed investigation to uncover the facts and hold the responsible parties accountable. Here’s how attorneys approach these complex cases to ensure you have the best chance of receiving the compensation you have coming under the law.
Collecting Evidence from the Crash Scene
One of the first steps in investigating a truck accident involves gathering evidence from the crash site. Photographs of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, and debris are essential. This information provides insight into how the crash occurred and who may be at fault.
Analyzing Police and Accident Reports
Law enforcement often creates a detailed report after a truck accident. These reports can contain valuable information about weather conditions, witness statements, and initial fault determinations. Your attorney reviews these documents to identify discrepancies or overlooked details.
Interviewing Witnesses
Witnesses can provide critical information about the moments leading up to and during the accident. A truck accident lawyer will likely interview witnesses to corroborate your account of the crash and uncover any additional details that might strengthen your case.
Examining Trucking Company Records
Trucking companies are required to maintain detailed records about their vehicles and drivers. These records may include maintenance logs, inspection reports, and driver schedules. Reviewing this information can reveal whether the company failed to address safety concerns or pressured the driver to work beyond legal limits.
Requesting the Driver’s Logbook
Truck drivers must document their hours of service in a logbook or electronic logging device (ELD). These records help determine whether the driver adhered to federal regulations limiting driving hours. Violations of these rules often contribute to fatigue-related accidents.
Analyzing Black Box Data
Most commercial trucks have event data recorders, commonly known as black boxes. These devices capture information such as speed, braking patterns, and engine performance leading up to a crash. Attorneys use this data to reconstruct the events and identify contributing factors.
Investigating Cargo Handling
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo is a common cause of truck accidents. A thorough investigation includes examining loading procedures, securing mechanisms, and weight distribution. If the cargo contributed to the crash, liability may extend beyond the driver to include the loading crew or shipping company.
Reviewing Maintenance and Inspection Records
Regular maintenance is essential to keeping trucks safe on the road. Attorneys review maintenance records to determine whether the truck was properly inspected and repaired. Missing or incomplete records may indicate negligence on the part of the trucking company.
Collaborating with Crash Reconstructionists
Reconstructing the accident provides a detailed picture of how and why it occurred. Truck accident lawyers often work with crash reconstructionists who use evidence from the scene, vehicle damage, and other data to create a simulation of the crash. These reconstructions are particularly useful in court.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties, from the driver and trucking company to cargo loaders and vehicle manufacturers. Your attorney will work to identify everyone who may share responsibility for the crash, ensuring no avenue for compensation is overlooked.
Communicating with Insurance Companies
Insurance companies for trucking companies often act quickly to protect their interests. Your attorney handles communication with these companies, ensuring they don’t take advantage of you or offer a settlement that falls short of what you deserve.
Determining the Full Extent of Your Damages
An attorney works to calculate the full extent of your losses, including medical expenses, lost income, property damage, and pain and suffering. This comprehensive approach ensures you seek compensation that reflects the true impact of the accident on your life.
Preparing for Negotiations or Trial
Your attorney will prepare to take your case to court if the trucking company or insurer doesn’t offer a fair settlement. Building a strong case with compelling evidence and expert testimony ensures you’re ready to fight for the compensation you’re entitled to.
Get the Legal Help You Need to Get What You Deserve
Truck accidents are rarely straightforward, but understanding the types of crashes and the steps attorneys take to investigate them can make a difference in your case. Working with a truck accident lawyer gives you an advocate who can help you pursue justice and recover the compensation you need to move forward. A skilled attorney is standing by to provide you with a free consultation.
