Truck accidents are among the most devastating types of motor vehicle accidents, often leading to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, they can cause significantly more damage than typical car crashes.
Understanding the types of truck accidents can help determine fault and how liability affects the recovery process.
The experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Shani O. Brooks P.C. are dedicated to providing personalized, compassionate representation for truck accident victims in Atlanta and across Georgia. Our legal team will work tirelessly to investigate the circumstances of your accident, hold the responsible parties accountable, and ensure that you receive the maximum compensation possible.
Here’s a look at the most common types of truck accidents, their causes, and the potential legal implications for each:
Jackknife accidents occur when the trailer of a large truck swings out at a 90-degree angle from the cab, resembling a folding pocket knife. This particularly dangerous accident can affect multiple lanes of traffic and is often difficult for other drivers to avoid.
Trucking companies and drivers are responsible for ensuring proper maintenance of braking systems and training drivers in appropriate braking techniques for various road conditions. In many cases, truck driver error or negligence in vehicle maintenance cause jackknife accidents.
Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips onto its side or roof.
These accidents are particularly common with tanker trucks or other top-heavy vehicles.
Proper loading procedures, adherence to speed limits, and careful driving in adverse weather conditions can help prevent rollover accidents. Liability may fall on the driver, the trucking company, or even the cargo loading team, depending on the specific circumstances of the accident.
Underride accidents are among the most horrific types of truck accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle collides with the rear or side of a truck and slides underneath the trailer.
Installing underride guards on trucks can significantly reduce the severity of these accidents. However, not all trucks are equipped with adequate guards, and some guards fail to perform as intended in real-world crash scenarios.
In underride accident cases, it’s crucial to investigate whether the truck was properly equipped with underride guards and if those guards met federal safety standards. Liability may extend beyond the driver to include the trucking company or even the manufacturer of faulty underride guards.
Tire blowouts can cause truck drivers to lose control of their vehicles, potentially leading to multi-vehicle pileups or rollovers.
Regular tire inspections and maintenance can prevent blowouts. If a defect causes an accident, liability may involve the truck driver, the trucking company responsible for maintenance, or even the tire manufacturer.
Also known as squeeze play accidents, these occur when a truck swings wide to the left before making a right turn, trapping or colliding with vehicles on its right side.
Drivers should pay attention to a truck’s turn signals and avoid positioning themselves in a truck’s blind spots, especially near intersections. Truck drivers must clear blind spots and use proper signaling well before turns.
While rear-end collisions are common among all vehicles, large trucks may make them particularly dangerous due to the substantial difference in vehicle size and weight.
Maintaining safe following distances and staying alert improve safety for both truck drivers and other motorists. In brake failure cases, you can hold the trucking company liable for inadequate maintenance.
Although less common, head-on collisions involving trucks are often fatal due to the force of impact.
Head-on collisions often involve clear violations of traffic laws, but the severity of injuries often necessitates skilled legal representation to ensure fair compensation.
T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, occur when the front of a truck collides with the side of another vehicle, forming a “T” shape. These accidents are particularly dangerous due to the significant size difference between trucks and passenger vehicles.
T-bone accidents involving trucks often result in severe injuries or fatalities, especially for occupants of the smaller vehicle. The side of a passenger vehicle offers less protection than the front or rear, making these accidents particularly devastating.
From a legal standpoint, determining liability often involves analyzing traffic signals, eyewitness accounts, and potentially video footage from nearby surveillance cameras or dashcams.
These accidents occur when cargo is improperly secured and falls from the truck onto the roadway, creating hazards for other drivers.
Multiple parties, including the truck driver, the company responsible for loading the cargo, and the trucking company itself, may face liability in lost load accidents.
Bridge strike accidents happen when a truck that is too tall attempts to pass under a bridge or overpass that’s too low.
Truck drivers and companies are responsible for knowing their vehicle’s height and planning routes accordingly. Liability may extend to companies that provide route planning services if they fail to account for height restrictions.
While not technically a type of collision, hazardous material spills from trucks can lead to serious accidents and pose significant public safety risks.
Trucks carrying hazardous materials are subject to strict regulations. Violations of these regulations can lead to severe legal consequences for trucking companies and drivers.
Truck accidents continue to be a significant safety concern on U.S. roads. According to the most recent data from the National Safety Council’s Injury Facts report, 5,837 large trucks were in fatal crashes last year—a 1.8% increase from the previous year and a staggering 49% increase over the last decade.
The rate of large trucks involved in fatal crashes per 100 million miles traveled has risen by 24% over the same period.
Large trucks, defined as vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 10,000 pounds, accounted for 6% of all vehicles in fatal crashes and 10% of total vehicle miles traveled. Beyond fatal accidents, 120,200 large trucks were in injury crashes last year, marking a 2.5% increase over the previous year. Over the past eight years, truck-involved injury crashes have risen by 18%, making these accidents a growing public safety issue.
Truck accidents are among the most devastating vehicular incidents on our roads. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, collisions involving these vehicles often result in severe injuries, significant property damage, and, in tragic cases, fatalities.
Here’s why trucks pose such a significant danger:
Truck accidents are often more complex than typical car accidents due to:
At Shani O. Brooks P.C., we have extensive experience handling all types of truck accident cases. Our team understands the intricacies of trucking regulations, the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize payouts, and the best strategies to secure maximum compensation for our clients.
Truck accidents can be devastating, leading to life-altering injuries or fatalities. Understanding the different types of truck accidents is crucial for determining liability and pursuing a claim.
Don’t let the complexities of truck accident lawsuits overwhelm you. Contact our Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Shani O. Brooks P.C. today at (404) 920-4736 or through our online form for a free and confidential consultation.