Types of Truck Accidents

Sharing the road with commercial trucks is a reality for all drivers, but the risks associated with these large vehicles are often underestimated.

Commercial trucks are significantly larger, heavier, and harder to control than passenger vehicles, which makes accidents involving them particularly dangerous.

In fact, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in one recent year, 5,837 truck crashes resulted in 5,936 fatalities across the United States, highlighting the grave consequences of these accidents.

Unfortunately, government records don’t fully illustrate the types of truck accidents, their causes, the specific kinds of vehicles involved, and the potential outcomes for those involved.

If you or a close family member were injured in a collision with a commercial truck, a truck accident lawyer with Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys may be able to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your physical, emotional, and financial injuries.

Ten Types of Truck Accidents

Rear-end crashes

Rear-end crashes occur when a truck collides with the back of another vehicle. They often happen when the truck driver fails to stop in time. Trucks require a much longer distance to come to a full stop, and in heavy traffic or poor weather conditions, the stopping distance increases dramatically. These crashes can cause catastrophic injuries for the occupants of the smaller vehicle, especially if the truck is traveling at a high speed.

T-bone accidents

T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, happen when a truck strikes the side of another vehicle. These truck accidents typically occur at intersections when a truck driver fails to obey traffic signals, misses a stop sign, fails to brake in time, or the vehicle loses brake power. The size and height of a truck can cause significant damage to the side of a passenger vehicle, often resulting in serious injuries for the driver and passengers.

Head-on collisions

The vast size and weight differences between a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle make head-on collisions between the two among the deadliest types of truck crashes. Head-on truck accidents can happen when truck drivers lose control of their vehicle or cross over the median.

Truck rollovers

Rollover accidents happen when a truck tips over, often due to taking a turn too quickly or shifting cargo. Because of their high center of gravity, trucks are more susceptible to rollovers, especially when they are carrying heavy or uneven loads. When a truck rolls over, it can block multiple lanes of traffic, leading to secondary crashes and significant harm to other road users.

Tire blowouts

A tire blowout may cause the truck driver to lose control of their vehicle, leading to a range of dangerous circumstances. Blowouts occur when a tire suddenly bursts due to wear and tear, tread separation, overloading, or improper maintenance. When a blowout happens, the truck may swerve uncontrollably, placing nearby drivers at risk.

Blind spot accidents

Because of their large size, commercial trucks have large blind spots, commonly called “no-zones,” around the truck’s front, rear, and sides. If a truck driver fails to check these areas before changing lanes or merging, they could collide with a vehicle in the blind spot.

Shifting cargo accidents

Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, causing a truck to become unbalanced and veer out of control. In some cases, cargo may even spill onto the road, creating hazards for other drivers. Shifting cargo can also result in rollovers and jackknife accidents, where the truck’s trailer swings out to one side in the path of other vehicles.

Underride accidents

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a truck and becomes wedged underneath. This type of accident is particularly deadly because the upper part of the passenger vehicle may be crushed, causing severe head and neck injuries or fatalities. Although rear underride guards are required on most commercial trucks, they are not always effective in preventing these accidents.

Override accidents

In contrast to underride accidents, override accidents happen when a truck runs over the back of a smaller vehicle. Truck overrides usually occur when the truck driver fails to stop in time, leading to the truck “overriding” the vehicle in front of it. Injuries in override accidents are often severe or fatal.

Wide-turn accidents

Wide-turn accidents, also called “squeeze-play” accidents, occur when a truck swings wide to the left in order to make a right turn. This maneuver can trap vehicles between the truck and the curb, leading to serious collisions.

Types of Commercial Trucks Involved in Crashes

Semi-trucks / tractor-trailers

Semi-trucks, also known as 18-wheelers, are the most common type of commercial vehicle in the U.S. They consist of the tractor, which contains the engine and driver’s cab, and the trailer, where the cargo is stored. The trailer is connected to the tractor via a fifth wheel hitch, allowing it to pivot and turn easily.

Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, making them especially dangerous in collisions. Their size and weight contribute to longer stopping distances, limited maneuverability, and increased risks for the occupants of smaller vehicles in an accident.

Tanker trucks

Tanker trucks transport liquids or gases, some of which can be hazardous. Accidents involving tanker trucks are particularly dangerous due to the risk of explosions, fires, or chemical spills.

Dump trucks

Dump trucks transport loose materials like sand, gravel, or demolition waste. Due to their heavy loads, these trucks can cause extensive damage in a crash. Dump truck accidents often occur in construction zones, which pose additional risks to workers and motorists.

Garbage trucks

Garbage trucks make frequent stops and navigate residential areas, increasing the likelihood of accidents with pedestrians, cyclists, and smaller vehicles. Their bulky size and blind spots make them particularly dangerous in tight spaces.

Concrete mixer trucks

Concrete mixer trucks carry heavy, rotating loads. Due to the uneven distribution of the concrete inside the mixer, these trucks can be prone to rollovers, especially when making sharp turns or traveling on uneven terrain.

Why Are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?

Truck accidents are significantly more dangerous than other types of traffic accidents due to the sheer size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and smaller vehicles. A fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average passenger car weighs 4,000 pounds. This immense weight difference can make collisions with cars, motorcycles, pedestrians, or cyclists catastrophic.

The high center of gravity in trucks makes them prone to rollovers, particularly in sharp turns, sudden swerves or overcorrecting, and high-speed maneuvers. Trucks also have longer stopping distances, which makes it harder for them to avoid collisions, especially in bad weather or heavy traffic.

Top Causes of Truck Accidents

Several factors can contribute to truck accidents, most of which are preventable and stem from mistakes by the truck driver or trucking company. Here are the top causes:

Driver fatigue

Truck drivers often face tight deadlines, leading to fatigue. Despite Hours of Service (HOS) regulations limiting driving hours, some trucking companies pressure drivers to exceed these limits, increasing the risk of accidents due to slower reaction times.

Distracted driving

Using smartphones, GPS, or other in-cab distractions can divert a truck driver’s attention from the road, leading to rear-end crashes and lane departure accidents. Even a brief distraction can result in devastating consequences.

Improperly loaded cargo

Cargo that’s improperly loaded or unsecured can shift during transport, causing the truck to become unstable or roll over. Overloading or unevenly distributed cargo also puts strain on the vehicle, increasing the likelihood of mechanical failure.

Speeding and reckless driving

Truck drivers may speed or drive aggressively to meet delivery schedules, increasing the risk of collisions. Trucks need longer stopping distances, and speeding makes it difficult to avoid crashes, especially in bad weather or congested areas.

Inadequate vehicle maintenance

Lax maintenance practices and faulty repairs can lead to brake failures, tire blowouts, and other mechanical problems. When trucking companies neglect regular inspections, they put unsafe trucks on the road, heightening the danger for everyone.

Drunk driving

While trucking regulations hold truck drivers to higher standards for alcohol consumption, drunk driving remains a serious cause of commercial truck accidents. In one recent year, 6.7% of truck drivers involved in commercial truck accidents had a BAC between 0.01% and 0.08%.

Impaired driving

Illicit drugs and prescription drugs can also impair a truck driver’s performance. Recent trucking studies have shown that truck drivers operating under the influence of drugs is not only a serious problem but one that has sharply increased in recent years.

Poor weather

Rain, fog, snow and other poor conditions reduce visibility and road traction. When truck drivers fail to adjust their speed or driving behavior, the risk of jackknifing or rollover accidents increases.

Inexperienced or untrained drivers

Trucking companies sometimes put inexperienced or poorly trained drivers behind the wheel to meet demand. In some cases, trucking carriers fail to run background checks on their drivers before hiring them. Inexperienced drivers, inadequately trained drivers, and improperly vetted drivers pose a risk to everyone on the road.

Equipment failure

Defective brakes, tires, and other truck components can cause accidents. When manufacturers supply defective components or when trucking carriers ignore routine fleet checkups and maintenance, equipment failures become a real threat.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Truck accidents often result in serious, life-altering injuries that go beyond the physical, affecting victims emotionally and financially as well. Below are the common types of injuries that truck accident victims may suffer:

Physical injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Burn injuries
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Lacerations and bruising

Emotional injuries

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Sleep disorders
• Emotional trauma

Financial harm

• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Medical debt
• Rehabilitation costs
• Property damage cost

Claiming Compensation for Your Injuries and Losses

If you’ve been injured in a truck accident or the unthinkable has happened and you lost a loved one, you may be entitled to compensation. The types of damages you can claim and the amount of compensation you can claim depend on the specific circumstances of your case. Some of the damages truck accident claims generally include are:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning potential
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Property damage
• Loss of companionship
• Wrongful death: In cases where a loved one is killed in a truck accident, surviving family members may seek compensation for funeral costs, loss of income, and emotional suffering.
• Punitive damages: These damages may be awarded in cases involving severe negligence or misconduct, intended to punish the responsible party and them from engaging in similar behavior again.

Who is at Fault for Your Truck Accident?

While there are many types of truck accidents, they all share many of the same root causes. However, truck accidents are among the most complex accident cases in determining cause and liability. Parties that are frequently at fault for a truck accident are:

• The truck driver: Drivers can be held accountable for negligence, such as driving while tired or distracted.
• The trucking company: Companies can be liable for failing to maintain their fleet or for pushing drivers to exceed hours-of-service limits, among other reasons.
• Truck and truck part manufacturers: If defective parts, such as faulty brakes, contributed to the accident, the manufacturers may be held responsible.

Establishing Negligence in Your Truck Accident Case

Proving negligence is the foundation of any truck accident claim or truck accident lawsuit. To build a strong case, your truck accident attorney must demonstrate four key elements:

• Duty of care: Truck drivers and trucking companies have a legal obligation to ensure they operate their vehicles safely and responsibly.
• Breach of duty: The driver or company failed to uphold that duty, such as by speeding or failing to maintain the truck.
• Causation: The failure of the truck driver or firm caused the accident and the resulting injuries.
• Damages: Finally, the claimant suffered actual damages because of the accident.

Contact Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Today

If you are suffering in the wake of a truck accident, you need an experienced and aggressive truck accident attorney who will listen to you and build a claim for compensation that covers all of your damages completely and fairly.

At Alexander Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, we are prepared to evaluate your case and explain how we can help. We have dedicated our careers to fighting for the rights of our clients, and we are ready to help you, too.

Contact us today at (659) 201-2252 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. You may also use our quick online form, and we will contact you.