What Are the Most Commonly Occurring Types of Truck Accidents?

What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?

The most common types of truck accidents include the following.

• Rear-end collisions
• Jackknife accidents
• Rollover accidents
• Wide turn collisions
• Tire blowouts
• T-bone
• Head-on collision

Any of these accidents can be deadly for the truck driver, drivers and passengers of other vehicles, and pedestrians nearby. Understanding the causes of these accidents can help you avoid being involved in one.

How Are Truck Accidents Caused?

Truck accidents can arise from various causes. Below are some of the most common culprits.

• Driver fatigue from being on the road for long hours and not sleeping well
• Intoxicated driving that impairs judgment, vision, and reaction time
• Tailgating when trucks need ample stopping distance to brake
• Distracted driving like texting, calling, eating, drinking, etc.
• Excessive speeding
• Sudden braking
• Wet or icy roadways
• Sharp turns
• Unevenly loaded cargo
• Blind spots
• Trailer swinging into different lanes during a turn
• Poor truck maintenance

The above list of common causes applies to one or more types of truck accidents and are likely to result in a collision. For example, if the car in front of a truck slams on its brakes unexpectedly, the truck driver will have to do the same. However, because they need a significant stopping distance, they may hit the car resulting in a rear-end collision. On the other hand, the trucker’s sudden braking could cause the trailer to swing out resulting in a jackknife accident.

What Are My Legal Options After Being Involved in a Crash?

After you are involved in a truck accident you have several legal options afforded to you. The first thing you should do, after ensuring your health and safety, is reach out to an injury lawyer. With the help of a skilled attorney, you can file a personal injury claim or lawsuit.

You can file a claim against the truck driver and their insurance if their negligence caused the accident, or against the trucking company if improper training or maintenance issues contributed to the crash.

Additionally, you can file a lawsuit. Insurance claims often do not cover the entire extent of a victim’s expenses, so a lawsuit can help if a settlement cannot be reached. While the process can be lengthy and complex, if you and your lawyer believe you have enough evidence to win in a trial it may be your best option.

It is crucial that you seek and obtain compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses after a truck accident. Reach out to an experienced attorney for more information and legal advice.