Types​‍​‌‍​‍‌ of Truck Accidents: Understanding the Risks on the Road

Truck accidents represent a major problem that can be seen on highways in different places of the U.S.A. What is more, because of the size, weight, and the restricted capability of turning of these vehicles, incidents that involve trucks are likely to cause severe injuries, damages to people’s properties, and even deaths. Therefore, it is very important for everyone to understand the different types of truck accidents. Such information can empower people to identify risks, be safe, and if a crash happens, get the right assistance from the law experts.

1. Rear-End Truck Collisions

Rear-end truck accidents are one of the major types of crashes that can be seen on the road. As such, they occur when a truck hits the back of another vehicle. Some of the causes of such crashes can be:

• Driver fatigue – The long hours that a driver spends on the road can lead to a slow reaction time.
• Distracted driving – Playing with mobile devices while driving, eating, or adjusting controls.
• Tailgating – Consequences of following too closely include less stopping time in emergencies.
• Weather conditions – In the rainy or foggy weather, the brakes cannot bring the vehicle to a full stop at the same place as on a dry road.

In fact, a truck that rear-ends a car can cause serious injuries. For instance, a truck has to apply the brakes from a much longer distance than a car before it comes to a complete stop. On the other hand, people driving cars or riding in the cars might get whiplash, spinal cord injuries, or broken bones.

2. Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident is an event where a truck’s trailer moves around the cab to such a degree that the angle between the two parts looks like a folding knife. Usually, the resulting effects of such occurrences are devastating, which in turn lead to many different cars getting involved in crashes. The root causes of this type of accident include:

• Slippery roads – The ice, rain, or oil makes the road surface slick and hence less grip for the tires.
• Sudden braking – The only option to stop the vehicle quickly may lead to losing control of the trailer that is connected to the cab.
• Overloaded trailers – More than necessary load that is not evenly distributed makes the tendency of the trailer to fold back very high.

Jackknife incidents may completely block traffic lanes, which in turn cause chains of accidents that are both difficult to untangle and very destructive.

3. Rollover Truck Accidents

Rollover incidents are situations when a truck tips over and lays on its side or roof. In general, it can be said that most of such cases involve trucks that are transporting either liquid or loose materials that can shift during the transportation. Some of the factors that contribute to this situation are:

• High speeds around curves – Trucks are taller and have a higher center of gravity than cars and thus are more likely to tipp over.
• Uneven cargo loading – If the load is not secure or is unevenly distributed, the truck will be unstable and thus more likely to tip over.
• Tire blowouts – In the sudden blowout, the driver loses control; consequently, the truck may roll over.

Rollover accidents are capable of hurting the truck drivers and, at the same time, other people driving vehicles on the same road; this may end in, mostly, the cases of fractures and, sometimes, the death of those involved.

4. Side-Impact or T-Bone Accidents

Side-impact truck accidents which could also be referred to as T-bone collisions, are the situations when a truck hits the side of another vehicle. Mostly, such crashes happen at the junctions and are caused by:

• Failure to yield – Trucks or other vehicles ignoring the traffic lights.
• Red-light running – Drivers who want to beat the red light and thus speeding.
• Blind spots – Because of the size of trucks, they have big areas that are not visible to the driver, thus it is difficult for the driver to see the vehicles near him.

Side-impact collusions with trucks being incredibly bigger than cars can be a disaster, which in most cases can lead to the small vehicle occupants getting seriously ​‍​‌‍​‍‌hurt.

5.​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Head-On Truck Collisions

Head-on collisions with trucks rank highly among the severest kinds of truck accidents that are fatal. Such situations arise when two cars crash front-to-front. Some of the reasons for this are:

• Driver fatigue or drowsiness – When driver falls asleep at the wheel, crossing of lanes is almost inevitable.
• Distracted driving – Drivers of mobile phones, eating, or navigation systems take their attention off the road.
• Wrong-way driving – Getting on highways in wrong direction.
• Speeding – The faster the vehicle the harder will be the blow.

Such incidents are usually followed by traumatic injuries due to the considerable impact force, and hence medical attention is almost always required urgently.

6. Rollover of Hazardous Materials Trucks

It is interesting to note that trucks with such contents as chemicals or fuel that aim at supplying communities are becoming a primary source of danger in situations where they are involved in accidents. Apart from rollovers, collisions can be followed by fires, explosions, and pollution of the environment. The transportation of dangerous substances is strictly addressed in regulations set up for that matter but accidents still happen as a result of:

• Improper handling – by mistake during loading or driving.
• Mechanical failure – if the problem with the brake or tire causes loss of control.
• Traffic collisions – such as impacts capable of causing leaks or starting of materials.

Fires from tankers carrying dangerous goods call for special fire-fighting equipment. Besides that, the resulting court cases may involve both the truck driver and the company.

7. Underride Accidents

When a small car goes below a truck or trailer in a collision, this is known as an underride accident and it is very dangerous because the top of the car may be cut off, thus the occupants sustaining injuries, which are, in most cases, fatal. These accidents mainly result from the following combined factors:

• Inadequate truck guards: The absence of or failure of rear or side underride guards.
• Poor visibility – The dark or bad weather makes it difficult for the driver to see the truck.
• Sudden braking – It leads to rear collisions with low or no stopping distance.

Underride accidents often require extensive medical care for victims and can result in complex legal claims.

8. Tire Blowouts and Mechanical Failures

The worst kind of truck accidents that are fatal may also result from mechanical failures, which include the bursting of tires. Proper function of trucks heavily depends on their mechanical systems. Various factors may lead to mechanical-related incidents such as:

• Neglect of maintenance – Tires that are worn, brakes that are not functioning well, or engines with issues.
• Overloading – The weight that is beyond the limit puts too much pressure on tires and axles.
• Road hazards – Holes in the road, dirt, or uneven surfaces that cause sudden failure.

In some situations, these errors can lead to traffic jams in several lanes, the places where accidents have taken place; thus, the crashes that may follow if done by other ​‍​‌‍​‍‌vehicles.

9.​‍​‌‍​‍‌ Rear-Trailer Accidents

To lessen such risks as these, large trucks mostly utilize multiple trailers or one long trailer that still could be a possible cause of accidents during turns or lane changes. Rear-trailer accidents may result from:

• Wide turns – More space is needed by trucks to make turns, thus a risk of getting in contact with vehicles nearby arises.
• Trailer sway – A trailer that is not properly secured can swing and hit other vehicles.
• Backing incidents – A truck, while reversing in a crowded area, can hit a pedestrian or a vehicle.

Such situations of trucks accident show how important it is for the truck drivers to have a good spatial awareness and proper training.

10. Distracted Driving Accidents

Distracted driving is the major factor behind truck accidents, however, it is not a type of collision. The number of controls, screens, and devices in modern trucks may distract the driver. Distracted driving can lead to an increase in the following:

• Rear-end collisions
• Lane departure accidents
• Intersection accidents

On the other hand, companies and drivers together put more and more safety and monitoring measures in place to reduce distractions and thus increase safety on the roads.

Preventive Measures for Truck Accidents

Knowing the various types of truck accidents does not solve the problem entirely. Prevention should be the most important factor in the risk reduction. Some of the good measures which could bring the desired effect are:

• Driver training – Detailed training programs that ensure the safety and defensive driving skills of the driver.
• Regular maintenance – A routine of checking brakes, tires, and other mechanical parts.
• Cargo management – Securing and loading the cargo in a way that does not endanger the vehicle’s stability.
• Fatigue management – Following the rules concerning the hours of driving and rest periods.
• The use of technology – Modern driver-assistance system (ADAS) for collision warning, lane departure alert, and emergency braking.

Conclusion

Accidents that involve trucks, unfortunately, may cause serious harm due to the great mass and the size of the latter. Therefore, the comprehension of the different types of truck accidents can be useful drivers and passengers in recognizing the potential dangers and taking the necessary precautions to avoid them. In addition, victims of truck accidents should not delay in seeking legal advice to safeguard their interest and to claim compensation for injuries and losses. Safety on the road is our collective responsibility, and recognizing these types of accidents is the essential first step in averting tragedies on the ​‍​‌‍​‍‌road.

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