Types of Semi Truck Accidents
Due to their size and weight, semi trucks are top-heavy and are able to roll at any speed. These accidents can cause serious injuries to the people involved.
Driver error is the leading cause of semi-truck accidents. However, rollover accidents can be caused by other factors.
Rear-End Collisions
If a vehicle rear-ends a vehicle the result could be serious damage. This is particularly true if a semi-truck or commercial truck is involved. These vehicles can be as heavy as 80,000 pounds, and may cause serious injuries to the passengers or drivers if they collide with each other.
There are many things you can do to avoid a rear-end collision that involves commercial trucks. Getting as much training as possible and adhering to traffic laws is crucial. In addition, you should avoid driving when you are impaired or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
A personal injury attorney is recommended if you are rear-ended by truck. A lawyer can help determine if the damages are covered by your insurance or if you are required to file a lawsuit.
While the majority of rear-end accidents are caused by human error, some may result from mechanical failures. These cases could lead to either a mechanic or a manufacturer being held responsible for your accident.
burbank truck accident lawsuits can also result from reckless driving or driver inexperience. Older people, teens and people with disabilities are all at risk.
Drowsiness and fatigue are both causes of rear-end truck accidents. This is why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration requires trucking companies to limit their driver's hours of operation to a minimum of 10 hours per day.
The blind spot of the driver is yet another factor that could lead to an accident that involves a rear-end tractor-trailer. Tractor-trailers have very large blind spots all around that can make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles on the road.
Because of this, trucks can cause rear-end collisions when a passenger vehicle changes lanes or goes into the driver's blind spot. This can result in serious bodily injury or even death for the driver in the vehicle that is passing.
In a rear-end collision the most commonly injured are lacerations and bruises. This is due to the fact that the back of the vehicle will feel the most pressure. This can result in debris flying around and hitting the vehicle's passengers. Due to the weight of the vehicle the back may be bent or crushed. In extreme crashes this could result in head trauma and neck and spinal cord injuries.
Side Collisions
Side collisions are the most risky kind of truck accident. Side collisions can cause severe injuries to people seated on the truck or car that was struck.
Side collisions are almost always involving 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.
These trucks pose an ongoing threat to roads and highways across the nation. There are steps that motorists can take to minimize the risk of being involved with a side-impact truck collision.
First, you must stay in your zone. Second consider signalling when you need a semi to pass. This is a good rule of thumb for all vehicles on the road, but it is especially crucial for semis.
It is vital to not let a truck tailgate. A large truck that is towed can be a deadly mistake because it permits the truck to plough into the back of your vehicle. This can cause serious injuries or even death.
Don't try to brake or turn in the direction of trucks. This can be dangerous at intersections.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that in 2018side collisions led to 6.037 deaths and 515,000 injuries across the nation. This is more than the fatalities from head-on collisions and rear-end crashes.
This kind of accident is more common at intersections where truckers must be aware of traffic. These accidents can happen for many reasons, including truck drivers who do not determine the length of time they have to take a left or right turn.
Truck drivers are also prone to making mistakes when roads are slippery. This can result in truck drivers losing control of their vehicles, and taking an error.
If you've been involved in a semi truck accident and have suffered injuries, it's crucial to speak with a seasoned semi-truck accident attorney. They will be able to help you receive the compensation you need for your losses.
Jackknife Collisions
Accidents that involve jackknifing can cause serious injuries and are among the most hazardous kinds. These collisions can involve one semi truck colliding with another.
A trailer of a truck may be able to swing horizontally across a road and over the path of other vehicles in the event of a jackknife. This can cause injuries to all motorists involved and damage or destruction to other property.
While jackknifing accidents can happen with any size vehicle, they are particularly frequent with large trucks. Because of their size and weight they can be more difficult to stop and slow down.
Driver error is often the cause of the occurrence of a jackknife crash. This can be a result of speeding, braking too abruptly, or not paying attention to traffic conditions ahead.
Other causes of jackknife collisions are unsafe weather conditions and equipment malfunctions. Unfortunate weather conditions, such as rain and icy roads, make it difficult for truck drivers to observe other road users. This makes them brake quickly and can lead to an accident with a jackknife.
Another reason that is often the cause of a accident involving a jackknife is an overloaded cargo on the trailer. This can result in an 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 cargo, which can result in a collision between a truck and a jackknife. The person responsible to load and secure the cargo could be held responsible for any damages.
To ensure that trucks are safe for the road and the conditions, they must be maintained and checked. Regular inspections, such as checking the mechanical and tire components, can prevent jackknifing crashes from happening.
Despite the best safety measures an accident involving a jackknife can be a fatal accident that can cause fatal injuries and even death. Roswell personal injury attorneys may be able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve when you or your loved one have suffered severe injuries in a jackknife-truck accident.
Rollover Collisions
Rollovers can occur with any vehicle, and they are among the most dangerous types. However, truckers are the most susceptible to rollover accidents because due to 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 weigh around 80,000 pounds or more making them particularly risky when they roll over.
When a truck lands on its side, the entire truck could flip over and get stuck underneath it, creating a potentially fatal situation. The most frequent cause for an accident involving a rollover is a semi-truck driver failing to control the vehicle, either through driving too fast or turning abruptly.
Tractor-trailers are bigger and heavier than passenger vehicles, and the weight in their trailers can cause them to be more unstable. This can be caused by various aspects, including the amount of cargo inside the trailer, as well as the speed at which the driver turns around a curve or corner.
Tripping - If a huge truck comes into contact with a curb or other road obstruction, it may slide over and roll over on its sides. This can lead to numerous injuries, including paralysis and brain injuries that are traumatic.
Poor steering Poor steering - The FMCSA says that 19 of the 239 rollovers resulted of poor steering control. This can happen when you shift your vehicle a lot or change lanes. It could be triggered when you're distracted by other activities like falling asleep at the wheel, or being unfocused, or falling asleep at your wheel.
Improperly Loaded Cargo The load of a truck can shift abruptly and could cause it to lose its stability and result in a rollover. This is especially true when the truck is carrying hazardous materials.
A stray tire can also cause the truck to lose its balance and increase the chance of being flipped over. This could be caused by a tire blowout or by the driver's negligence in paying attention to the road and swerving unexpectedly.
These can be devastating to those who are injured in the crash. These injuries could result in serious injuries like burns and broken bones. They can also be extremely painful and require multiple surgeries. If you've been injured in an accident involving a truck it's crucial to contact an attorney as soon as possible so that you can pursue the compensation you require for your losses.