Trucks are paramount to our country’s economy. Over 15 million trucks move across the country, transporting consumer goods from one state to another every day. But despite their essential place in our society, trucks are pretty dangerous and pose a high risk to every road user. It pays to know the different types of accidents so you can know what damages to claim if you or anyone you know is injured in an accident involving one.
Just as there are variations to regular car accidents, there are also variations to truck accidents. Discussed in detail below are the different types of truck accidents and why they occur:
Head-on and rear-end collisions are the most prevalent type of truck accidents. A head-on truck accident occurs when the truck collides or crashes onto oncoming traffic head-on. They are often very dangerous, and most of the time, fatal. On the other hand, Rear-end collisions occur when the truck crashes into the back of another vehicle.
Similar to head-on collisions, rear-end truck accidents are equally as dangerous because trucks are generally heavy. Once they pick up speed, it’s almost, if not impossible, for them to stop suddenly. So, their impact is always significant.
Both head-on and rear-end accidents commonly occur due to driver fatigue, distracted driving, or when the driver loses control of their truck due to
This type of accident occurs when a truck comes to a sudden stop or brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to swing out at a ninety-degree angle. Jackknife truck accidents are typically dangerous because they happen suddenly and unexpectedly, causing the oncoming cars or those behind the truck to either crash into it or each other, trying to avoid the impact. Jackknife truck accidents often occur due to improper or sudden braking, faulty equipment, bad weather, or driver negligence.
Underride accidents are among the deadliest of all truck accidents. They occur when a truck stops suddenly, causing all smaller, approaching vehicles to get lodged under the truck. The key to avoiding such accidents is maintaining a safe distance from truck vehicles while on the road.
As the name implies, tire blowouts occur when a truck’s tire blows out. Truck tire blowouts are typically more dangerous than regular car tire blowouts because first, the tire debris is considerably heavier and will crush anything on its path. It’s more difficult for a truck driver to control a truck after a tire blowout. That means even more danger to other motorists because impact with a truck with a blown-out tire is far more hazardous for every other road user, especially if the truck in question was at high speed.
Trucks drivers are required to inspect and ensure cargo is well-secured before transit. Unfortunately, not everyone follows this rule, and the result is that improperly secured cargo ends up falling out of the truck, posing a danger to every other road user. If it doesn’t fall off, improperly loaded cargo may shift, causing the truck to lose balance, and making it impossible for the truck driver to maintain control, especially when taking corners, turns, or curves.
All types of truck accidents are dangerous, and the above are just a few examples. While you cannot avoid trucks altogether, the key to staying safe from any of the accidents above is always maintaining a safe distance from them while on the road. If you or your loved one was recently injured in any truck accident, contact our experienced team of truck accident attorneys to help you get your rightful compensation.
blogs
Tips for Driving in the Rain
Especially in areas like LA, where rainfall is not as popular an occurrence, drivers can seem to lose their minds as soon as the first drop hits the pavement. Every year, an estimated 21% of all crashes are related to weather conditions. You need to keep yourself and your family safe on the road, no […]
Common Land Rover Problems: When to Apply the Lemon Law
Range Rovers have an irresistible allure. One characterized by a sporty appearance, high performance, and luxurious interior. They also have a high safety rating, but it’s not uncommon for them to experience problems that render them as lemon. Some of the issues have led to recalls, and others are yet to be addressed by the […]
Five Apps for Bicyclists
Bicycle accidents happen all the time in the United States, and practicing bicycle safety is relatively simple – it just involves a lot of mindful riding and the safest possible equipment. Another part of safe bicycle riding is making sure you have your routes planned out and, in the case of an emergency, it doesn’t […]
Five Tips for Summer Road Trip Safety
Summer time means warmer weather, and that means road trip time. Whether you’re heading down the street or across the country, there’s always a potential obstacle waiting for you. There’s no reason not to put together a safety checklist, and practice safe driving habits before everything gets crazy. For proper road safety, you’ll want to […]
Commercial Truck Accidents
While it may not seem like it, there are bigger differences when dealing with a truck accident than just the size of the vehicle. Although they are well insured, companies with commercial trucks will fire back at you with a whole legal team to avoid paying out for damage, injury, or even death. This is […]
Defensive Driving in Arizona
Learning to drive defensively can be an effective skillset for any driver, anywhere. With collision-related deaths in Arizona going up from 2019 to 2020, from 980 to 1,057, now is a good time to keep in mind your safety and the safety of those around you while on the road in Arizona. Of course, many […]
Statute of Limitations and Personal Injury
For many of us, when a personal injury occurs there can be a lot of mixed feelings. Some people may feel guilty that they got injured, even when the blame lies with someone else. The first concerns you will obviously have will be about your health and safety. You may not even be considering what […]
Motorcycle Safety Tips for Cold Weather
Driving any vehicle in cold weather and especially snow is going to make for a much more difficult time than driving in dry, comfortable weather. With enough preparation and all of the right gear, it is possible to mitigate many of these problems, but without them, you run the risk of a deadly accident. Before […]
Basic Bike Safety
Since 2014, in Los Angeles, more than 180 bicyclists lost their lives when colliding with motor vehicles in and around Los Angeles. More than 50,000 bicyclists suffer serious injuries in such collisions nationally. Understanding some basic bike safety might help you better avoid accidents in the future. As bicycles increase in daily use for Americans, […]
Tips for Avoiding Slip & Fall Accidents
Slipping and falling is hilarious in the movies and on TV, but when you enter the real world, slipsand falls are some of the most dangerous causes of personal injuries one can experience outside of a vehicle accident. Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere and for many reasons – a simple spill, a loose […]
contact form
