Types of Semi Truck Accidents
Due to their size and weight, semi trucks are top-heavy and are able to roll over at any speed. These accidents can cause serious injuries to the people involved.
Driver error is the primary cause of semi-truck accidents. The rollover accidents can also be caused by other factors.
Rear-End Collisions
A serious injury can result from collisions between a vehicle and another vehicle. This is especially true when a commercial truck, like a semi-truck, is involved. These vehicles can be as heavy as 80,000 pounds, and may cause serious injuries to passengers and other drivers if they collide one another.
Fortunately, there are trucking accident law firms of ways to avoid a rear-end collision involving a commercial truck. It is crucial to complete the most training you can and adhere to traffic laws. You should avoid driving in case you are tired or distracted by drugs or alcohol.
A personal injury attorney is recommended if you're rear-ended by a truck. A lawyer can help determine if your losses are covered by your insurer or if you should bring a lawsuit.
The majority of rear-end collisions with trucks happen due to human error. However there are instances where accidents may be caused by mechanical issues. This could lead to an engineer or manufacturer being held responsible for your accident.
Other causes of these crashes include driver inexperience or reckless driving. These crashes are especially dangerous for teens, elderly and people with disabilities.
Fatigue and drowsiness are also factors in rear-end crashes of trucks. This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires trucking companies to restrict their drivers' working hours to a minimum of 10 hours per day.
The blind spot of the driver is another reason that can result in rear-end collisions involving a tractor-trailer. Tractor-trailers have very large blind spots on all sides that can make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles on the road.
Trucks can cause rear-end collisions if an automobile that is a passenger vehicle enters the vehicle's blind spot driver or changes lanes. This could cause serious bodily injury or even death for the passenger in the vehicle.
Lacerations and bruises are among the most frequent types injuries sustained during a rear-end accident. This is because the rear of a vehicle could be subject to the greatest force of impact. This could result in debris flying around and striking the car's occupants. Due to the weight of the vehicle, the back can become twisted or crushed. In extreme crashes this could result in head trauma , neck and spinal cord injuries.
Side Collisions
Side collisions are the most risky type of truck accident. Side collisions can cause severe injuries to people in the car or truck that was hit.
Side collisions almost always involve vehicles with a weight that is nearly equal. This is a major issue because commercial trucks are 20 times heavier than cars and operate at very high speeds.
The massive trucks pose an ongoing danger to highways and roads across the country. There are steps that motorists can take to lower their chance of being involved in a side-impact truck accident.
First, you must remain in your zone. Thirdly be sure to signal when you need a semi to pass. This is an excellent guideline for any vehicle on the road, but it's particularly important for semis.
It is vital to not let a truck tailgate. Tailgating a large truck can be fatal if it permits the truck to plough into the back of your vehicle. This can result in catastrophic injuries, and even death.
Also, don't attempt to brake or turn in the direction of trucks. This is especially risky at intersections.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in the year 2018, side collisions caused 6.037 deaths and 515,000 personal injuries across the country. This number is higher than the deaths from head-on or rear-end collisions.
This type of crash is common at intersections where truckers must be aware of traffic. Truck drivers who fail to know the exact time it takes to turn right or left could cause accidents.
Truck drivers also make mistakes when roads are slippery. This could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle and make a wrong turn.
If you have been in a semi truck accident and have suffered injuries, it's important to contact an experienced semi-truck accident attorney. These attorneys can help you obtain the compensation you need to cover your losses.
Jackknife Collisions
Accidents that involve Jackknifing are among the most dangerous forms of truck accidents. They can cause serious injuries to the victim. These collisions could involve one semi truck colliding with another.
When a truck's trailer jackknifes it, it may swing horizontally across the roadway and into the path of other vehicles. This could result in injuries to motorists in the area and cause damage or destruction to other property.
While jackknifing accidents can happen in any vehicle of any size but they are most common among large trucks. They are more difficult to stop and slow down due to their weight and size.
Driver error is often the reason behind the occurrence of a jackknife crash. This can be caused by speeding or braking too quickly, or not paying attention in traffic.
Other causes of jackknife crashes are unsafe weather conditions as well as equipment malfunctions. Poor weather, such as rain or icy roads decreases visibility, and makes it difficult for truck drivers to see other road users, causing them to brake suddenly and run the risk of causing a jackknife collision.
Overloading cargo onto the trailer is another frequent cause of an accident with a jackknifetruck. This can lead to uneven load distribution, which can cause the truck's trailer to move or shake the cab.
An overload could also be caused by inadequate loading and securement of the cargo, which can cause a jackknife-truck collision. The person responsible for loading and securing the cargo can be held accountable for injuries.
Trucks must also be properly maintained and inspected before traveling to ensure they're safe for the road and weather. Routine inspections, such as checking the mechanical components or tires can prevent jackknifing accidents from happening.
Even with all the safety precautions, an accident involving a jackknife truck can still cause serious injuries and even death. Roswell personal injury lawyers may be able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve if you or your loved ones have suffered serious injuries as a result of a truck accident.
Rollover Collisions
Rollovers can happen to any vehicle, and are among the most hazardous types. Truckers are particularly vulnerable to rollover accidents due their weight and height.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that more than 70% of all major truck rollover accidents involve tractor-trailers. These trucks often exceed an 80,000-pound weight, making them particularly risky when they roll.
If a truck is flipped on its side, the entire vehicle could flip over and get trapped beneath it, resulting in an extremely dangerous situation. The most common cause of a rollover crash is a semi-truck driver who fails to control the vehicle, either through speeding or taking sudden turns.
Tractor-trailers can be taller than passenger cars and heavier than tractor-trailers. This can lead to them being more unstable. This is due to many aspects, including the amount of cargo that is in the trailer, as well as the speed at which the driver turns around a bend or around a corner.
Tripping - A big truck can tip over and roll over on its side if it hits a curb or other road obstruction. This could result in numerous injuries, including paralysis as well as traumatic brain injury.
Poor steering - According to FMCSA, 19 of the 239 rollovers occurred due to poor steering control. This could happen when you shift a lot or shift lanes. It can occur when you're distracted by other things like falling asleep at the wheel, or being unfocused or slumbering at the wheel.
Improperly Loaded CargoUnproperly loaded cargo could shift abruptly and could cause it to lose stability or trigger a rollover crash. This is a big problem when a truck is loaded with dangerous materials, which is usually loaded improperly.
A tire that is not properly aligned can throw off a truck's balance and make it more likely to roll over. This can be caused by a tire blowout , or the driver's negligence in paying attention to the road and swerving in a sudden manner.
These can be devastating for those affected by the accident. These injuries can cause serious injuries such as fractures and burns. They can also be extremely painful and require several surgeries. It is crucial to consult with an attorney right away after you have been involved in a truck rolling over. This will allow you to seek compensation you are entitled to for your loss.