Truck accidents result in some of the most complicated injury claims and legal cases. From jackknife accidents and rollovers to rear-end collisions and underride accidents, each type presents challenges that a truck accident lawyer must thoroughly investigate and understand.
Factors such as driver fatigue, trucking company negligence, improper maintenance, and defective equipment can all contribute to these accidents and must be considered when determining liability. Additionally, truck accidents can cause catastrophic damages, resulting in severe injuries, property damage, and even fatalities.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you will want to seek professional legal assistance to navigate through the ins and outs of the case and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve. Contact a truck accident attorney near you as soon as possible to discuss your options and protect your rights.
How Common are Truck Accidents?
Unfortunately, truck accidents are quite common on U.S. roads. Due to trucks' sheer size, they often result in serious injuries, property damage, and even fatalities.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), approximately 4,000 fatal truck accidents occur in the United States each year. In addition to fatal accidents, about 15,000 non-fatal crashes involve large trucks annually.
Truck accidents can have devastating consequences. Not only do they result in physical injuries, but they can also cause emotional trauma, financial hardships, and long-term disabilities. It's important to recognize the severity of these accidents and take appropriate legal action if you are a victim.
Who is Liable for Truck Accidents?
Multiple parties can potentially be held responsible for a truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and even the truck manufacturer or its components.
In many cases, the truck driver may be found liable if his or her negligence or reckless behavior caused the accident. This can include actions such as speeding, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.
However, the trucking company may also share liability, especially if they failed to train or supervise the driver correctly or encouraged unsafe practices such as driving excessive hours without rest.
Similarly, the trucking company can be held directly liable for the accident if they failed to maintain the truck correctly or if there were issues with the truck's equipment. Defective brakes, worn-out tires, or faulty lighting systems are just a few examples of equipment failures that can contribute to an accident.
Lastly, in some cases, the manufacturer of the truck or its components may be found liable if there were defects in the design or manufacturing process that directly caused or contributed to the accident.
Rear End Accidents
One common type of truck accident is a rear-end collision, which occurs when a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it. Rear-end accidents can be caused by various factors, such as distracted driving, following too closely, or sudden braking.
When a truck rear-ends a smaller vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. The force of impact can result in serious injuries, including whiplash, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Additionally, property damage is often significant, and the smaller vehicle may be totaled.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when a truck's trailer swings out to the side, forming a 90-degree angle with the truck's cab. These accidents often happen when the truck driver applies the brakes too abruptly for whatever reason, causing the trailer to skid and swing out of control.
Jackknife accidents are hazardous because the swinging trailer can collide with other vehicles on the road, leading to multi-vehicle accidents and serious injuries. The size and weight of the truck can cause significant damage to smaller vehicles and result in severe injuries or fatalities.
Determining liability in jackknife accidents can be complex. In some cases, it may result from the truck driver's negligence, such as aggressive driving or speeding. However, it can also be due to faulty brakes, improper maintenance, or other factors related to the truck's condition.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents involve a truck flipping onto its side or rolling over completely. They can happen for various reasons, such as driver error, uneven road surfaces, or improper cargo loading.
Rollover accidents are particularly dangerous because they can cause the truck to hit other vehicles or objects on the road. The impact of a rollover accident can lead to serious injuries or fatalities, both for the occupants of the truck and other individuals involved in the accident.
Determining the cause of a rollover accident is necessary for establishing liability. The truck driver's negligence, such as driving at excessive speeds or taking a turn too sharply, can cause a rollover.
However, it can also be due to defective tires, inadequate maintenance, or improperly secured cargo. A skilled truck accident lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, and build a solid case to pursue the compensation you deserve.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a truck and gets wedged underneath it. These accidents can happen due to various factors, such as the truck suddenly stopping or changing lanes without warning or the smaller vehicle's driver failing to maintain a safe distance.
Underride accidents can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities, as the smaller vehicle is often crushed or dragged by the truck. The impact of the collision can cause severe head and spinal injuries, amputations, and other life-altering injuries.
Tire Blowouts
Tire blowouts are a common cause of truck accidents. When a truck's tire fails while in motion, the driver may lose control, leading to a potential accident.
Tire blowouts can occur due to various reasons, including worn-out tires, overloading the truck, or driving at high speeds for extended periods. The sudden loss of control can cause the truck to collide with other vehicles, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
Determining liability may involve examining the truck's maintenance records, the driver's adherence to safety regulations, and the actions of those responsible for loading and inspecting the cargo.
T-Bone Accidents
T-Bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another vehicle, forming a "T" shape. These accidents commonly occur at intersections when one vehicle fails to yield the right of way.
T-Bone accidents involving trucks can be particularly severe. The impact can cause significant damage to the smaller vehicle and lead to severe injuries or even fatalities.
Wide Turns Accidents
Wide turn accidents happen when a truck attempts to make a turn but collides with other vehicles or pedestrians. Large trucks require a significant amount of space to make turns, and failing to account for this can result in accidents.
Wide-turn accidents can cause severe injuries. They can also lead to property damage and significant traffic disruptions.
Blindspot Accidents
Blindspot accidents occur when a truck driver fails to see another vehicle or pedestrian in their blind spot and collides with them. Due to their size and design, trucks have larger blind spots than smaller vehicles.
Blindspot accidents can result in severe injuries or fatalities, as the impact of a collision with a truck can be devastating. The blind spot on the right side of a truck is known as the passenger side blind spot, and accidents involving this blind spot can cause dangerous injuries.
Wheeler Accidents
Wheeler accidents occur when a truck's trailer detaches from the cab while the truck is in motion. This can happen due to improper coupling, defective equipment, or inadequate maintenance.
Wheeler accidents can be highly hazardous, as the detached trailer can collide with other vehicles or objects on the road. The impact can cause severe injuries and extensive property damage.
Determining liability in wheeler accidents may involve examining maintenance records, the actions of those responsible for coupling and inspecting the trailer, and any potential negligence on the part of the trucking company. An experienced truck accident attorney can investigate the accident, collect valuable evidence, and build a strong case on your behalf.
Head-on Collisions
Head-on collisions involve two vehicles crashing into each other while traveling in opposite directions. The larger the vehicles involved and the higher the rate of speed they are traveling, the worse the damages and injuries will be.
Head-on collisions with trucks often result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities. The force of impact can cause severe damage to smaller vehicles, leading to devastating injuries for their occupants.
Lost Load Accidents
Lost load accidents occur when the cargo being transported by a truck falls off or spills onto the road. This can happen due to improper loading, insecure ties, or defective equipment.
Lost load accidents are dangerous, as the cargo can pose a significant hazard to other vehicles on the road. The sudden appearance of debris can cause collisions and lead to severe injuries or fatalities.
Determining liability in lost load accidents may involve examining the actions of those responsible for loading and securing the cargo and any potential defects in the truck or its equipment.
Truck Rollovers
Truck rollovers occur when a truck flips onto its side or rolls over completely. These accidents can happen due to various factors, such as driver error, improper loading of cargo, or road conditions.
Truck rollovers are incredibly dangerous, as the truck can collide with other vehicles or objects on the road. The impact of a rollover accident can cause severe injuries or fatalities, both for the truck occupants and other individuals involved in the accident.
Determining the cause of a truck rollover is crucial in establishing liability. It can result from the truck driver's negligence, such as driving at excessive speeds or taking a turn too sharply. However, it can also be due to defective tires, inadequate maintenance, or improperly secured cargo. A skilled truck accident attorney can build a strong case to seek the compensation you deserve.
Intersection Accidents
Intersection accidents occur when a truck collides with another vehicle at an intersection. These accidents often happen due to failure to yield the right of way, running a red light, or distracted driving. The impact can cause significant damage to the smaller vehicle and lead to serious injuries or even fatalities.
Sideswipe Collisions
Sideswipe collisions occur when two vehicles traveling in the same direction make contact. These accidents commonly occur when one vehicle changes lanes without checking for other vehicles. Furthermore, the impact can cause the other vehicle to lose control, leading to further accidents and injuries.
Override Accidents
Override accidents happen when a truck collides with a smaller vehicle and rides over it. These accidents commonly occur when a truck fails to stop in time and crashes into a vehicle in front of it.
Override accidents can cause severe damage and injuries due to the size and weight disparity between the truck and the smaller vehicle. Sadly, the force of impact can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Determining liability in override accidents often involves analyzing the actions of the truck driver and the other vehicle's driver. After a truck accident, contact a skilled truck accident lawyer to help pursue injury compensation on your behalf.
Brake Failure Accidents
Brake failure accidents occur when a truck's brakes fail, making it difficult or impossible for the driver to stop or slow down. Brake failure can happen for various reasons, such as faulty brake components, inadequate maintenance, or driver error.
Brake failure accidents make the truck unable to avoid colliding with other vehicles or objects on the road.
Identifying who is at fault in brake failure accidents often involves examining maintenance records, the actions of those responsible for inspecting and maintaining the truck's brakes, and any potential negligence on the part of the trucking company. An experienced truck accident attorney can thoroughly investigate the accident and hold the responsible parties accountable.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Contact a Truck Accident Attorney Today to Protect Your Rights
If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, seek legal assistance from a qualified truck accident lawyer. They have the knowledge and experience to understand and manage these cases and protect your rights.
Don't hesitate to contact an attorney near you to discuss your options and protect your rights. They will provide the guidance and support you need during this challenging time.