COMMON TYPES OF TRUCK ACCIDENTS
While any type of accident can be disastrous, truck accidents are known for being especially catastrophic due to the sheer size and weight of these commercial vehicles. The most common types of truck accidents include the following:
JACKKNIFE ACCIDENTS
Jackknife truck accidents occur when the cab and trailer form a 90-degree angle, presenting a dangerous situation for other drivers advancing down the highway. These types of collisions are often due to the negligence or inexperience of the person driving the truck. The truck driver may make their turns too quickly or hit the brakes with too much force, causing the trailer’s weight to be out of alignment with the cab’s traction.
REAR-END CRASHES
Large commercial trucks need extra time to come to a complete stop. If the truck driver is speeding, tailgating, or not paying attention to the road, they may brake suddenly, causing rear-end collisions with the vehicles behind them.
UNDERRIDE COLLISIONS
Underride collisions can occur when a smaller vehicle becomes trapped under the truck trailer’s weight. This typically occurs when the truck driver has stopped short, turned poorly, or has made a negligent error in judgment. This type of truck accident is known for causing severe injuries and fatalities on the road.
DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT ACCIDENTS
When the truck has faulty components, is designed poorly, or is made with questionable materials, a defective equipment accident may occur. Faulty components can include poorly made brakes, an ineffective steering mechanism, or trailer coupling failures.
CARGO SHIFT ACCIDENTS
A common cause of truck accidents is an improperly secured load. The truck’s motion can cause its cargo to spring loose from the trailer, leading a dangerous pileup on the road. Additionally, shifting cargo can upset the truck’s balance, leading to loss of control or tire blowouts.
TIRE BLOWOUT ACCIDENTS
When large truck tires burst, it can present a highly hazardous situation for other drivers. Tire blowouts can result from improperly inflated tires, cargo that is over the weight limit, or common wear and tear that is not properly monitored by the truck driver and the truck company.
ROLLOVER ACCIDENTS
A rollover truck collision is among the most catastrophic types of accidents that can happen on the road. If a truck rolls over on its side, vehicles nearby can be crushed or struck. Oncoming cars can also be severely impacted. Rollover accidents are often caused by cargo spillage.
WIDE-TURN ACCIDENTS
Because trucks need extra room to maneuver, drivers sometimes fail to swing wide enough, putting other drivers in immediate danger. Wide-turn truck accidents can be due to driver negligence, i.e., not properly checking surroundings before making a wide turn, or driver inexperience.
HEAD-ON COLLISIONS
Head-on truck accidents can cause catastrophic damage for all parties involved. The truck’s considerably more powerful momentum can crush smaller vehicles in head-to-head collisions. These types of incidents can be caused by the inattention of a distracted driver or by negligence or inexperience.
T-BONE ACCIDENTS
If a truck driver runs a red light or ignores a stop sign, they may strike other vehicles that are venturing into the intersection. This can result in devastating T-bone collisions. The sides of passenger vehicles are typically less fortified than the fronts and backs of cars, leading to more serious injuries for passengers affected by a T-bone crash.
SIDE-IMPACT ACCIDENTS
With these types of collisions, the side of a truck’s cab or trailer collides with the side of a vehicle beside it. Because of the weight of the truck, surrounding impacted vehicles may careen into traffic, causing multi-car accidents to occur.
