Some Of The Most Common Types Of Truck Accidents
Trucks are crucial to the nation’s economy. In 2020 alone, trucks shipped more than 10 billion tons of freight. And it is estimated that the trucking industry employs millions of people, including truck drivers. That said, trucks can be pretty dangerous. Sadly, truck accidents are quite common in the U.S. According to the NSC, in 2020 alone, over 4,800 trucks were involved in fatal accidents, and over 106,000 were involved in accidents resulting in injuries.
There are many types of truck accidents, but the following are some of the most common ones;
Rollover Accidents
Just as the name suggests, a rollover accident happens when a truck rolls over onto its side. Truck rollovers are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents. Trucks often roll over because of high speeds or failure to take the necessary precautions when faced with a curve or other hazards. If, for instance, a truck driver turns too sharply for conditions, a truck rollover accident can occur, creating a hazard for every road user. Other common causes of truck rollovers include driving under the influence and reckless driving. However, it is possible for a truck rollover accident to occur because of reasons that have nothing to do with the truck driver.
Underride Accidents
A truck underride accident happens when a smaller vehicle gets trapped underneath the truck. Usually, these accidents occur when a truck driver brakes too suddenly and the vehicle next to them is unprepared. Underride accidents are also quite deadly.
Jackknife Accidents
These accidents are usually caused by quick and hard brake maneuvers. A jackknife accident happens when a truck folds itself in such a way that the trailer and cabin form a 90-degree angle.
Rear-end Accidents
A rear-end accident happens when the front of a truck hits the back of another vehicle. Because of the size difference between a truck and a standard passenger vehicle, the results can be catastrophic if a rear-end accident occurs between a truck and a passenger vehicle.
Truck rear-end accidents can happen for various reasons, but some of the most common causes of these accidents are tailgating, distracted driving, and speeding. Tailgating is when a truck driver is following another vehicle too closely.
Head-on Collisions
A head-on collision occurs when a truck drifts out of its lane and straight into the flow of oncoming traffic. These accidents are usually devastating and can lead to severe injuries and even death.
Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks’ blind posts are bigger than the blind spots in other vehicles. A blind spot is an area where a driver loses sight of other vehicles. If, for example, a truck driver cannot see another vehicle when changing lanes, it can result in a blind spot accident.
T-bone Accidents
Trucks usually get into such accidents at intersections. If, for instance, a truck driver runs a red light, they can end up colliding with the side of another vehicle going through the intersection. Because of the little protection offered by the sides of a vehicle, a T-bone accident between a truck and a passenger vehicle can be catastrophic.
Legal Help Is Available
After suffering injuries in a truck accident due to the negligence of another party, you may be eligible to recover compensation. Our Coral Springs truck accident lawyers at Lyons & Snyder have years of experience helping truck accident victims and families of truck accident victims recover the compensation they deserve from negligent parties.
Source:
injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/
