Trucks are a major menace on highways and often cause accidents. Their sheer size alone is enough to cause a lot of damage. The numbers speak for themselves — about 4,000 truck accident fatalities and 130,000 injuries are recorded in the US every year!
These accidents are usually devastating to individuals and families as they are a leading cause of death, injuries, and property damage. Read on to learn more about the most common truck accident types.
Truck rollovers
Truck rollovers are among the most deadly types of truck accidents. They happen when a large truck flips over or overturns in the course of a crash. This could be a very serious crash involving multiple vehicles and people. The aftermath of these accidents can be gruesome.
Sometimes trucks roll over because of an unexpected fast turn or sudden swerve. They can also happen when other factors come into play such as poor weight distribution, dangerous roads, improper cargo loading, speeding, or distracted driving.
Head-on collisions
When a trucker loses control, veers into opposing lanes, and crashes head-first into an oncoming vehicle, the results can be catastrophic. Head-on collisions occur when a driver is fatigued and sleep-drives, is under the influence of alcohol, is distracted, or misses signals from traffic lights.
The high speed and large mass of a commercial truck make for a highly disastrous outcome when it collides with a smaller vehicle. This may cause injuries to the people involved, and significant damage to vehicles and the cargo being transported.
Rear-end collisions
These accidents usually happen when the car in front gets hit from behind by the front bumper of another vehicle. They are particularly common when two vehicles are traveling in the same direction but the one at the front decelerates or suddenly stops while the vehicle at the back doesn’t.
If there’s ever a head-on collision with a truck, chances are higher for serious injuries to occur.
Jackknife
Most jackknife accidents occur when a truck is on a slippery road or is moving fast and turning at high speed. When the front vehicle skids but the trailer does not slow down, trucks can also jackknife. This can cause cargo to shift; creating uneven weight.
Tire blowouts
A blowout happens when the tire suddenly loses air pressure because of a cut or puncture. It is one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents because it tends to occur while the trucker is going at high speed. The driver could lose control over the vehicle.
Some possible reasons for a tire blowout include high or low air pressure, air leakage, worn-out tires, and poor road conditions.
Were you involved in a truck accident?
Regardless of which type of trucking accident you have been involved in, it is important to understand your legal rights and options going forward.
LionsGate Law Group has the experience and resources to help you through every step of your recovery process, from document preparation and negotiations with insurance companies to obtaining full compensation for your losses. Get in touch with us today for a free case evaluation.