5 Common Types of Trucking Accidents
Understanding the common types of trucking accidents and their dangers can help keep drivers safer on the road, whether they’re operating trucks or surrounding vehicles. Because of the weight and size of trucks, trucking accidents are often the most dangerous. Thousands of injuries and fatalities result from truck crashes every year, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The following are five common types of truck accidents that drivers can work to avoid on the road.
1. Jackknife Accidents
Tractor-trailers and semi-trucks are often involved in jackknife accidents due to the motion between the trailer and cab on the hitch that connects the two. A jackknife accident can result when the trailer begins swinging in the direction of the cab, which could happen due to inadequate braking. Jackknife accidents often occur when truck drivers brake too quickly or attempt to brake on slippery road conditions.
2. Head-on Accidents
Head-on accidents involving trucks are rare, but they occur when truck drivers lose control of their trucks and veer into oncoming traffic. At high speeds, head-on accidents are often deadly when they involve trucks, as their size and weight lead to more substantial damage in these accidents.
3. Rollover Accidents
If a driver loses control of their truck, a rollover could occur and cause serious damage and injury. Rollovers are often the most dangerous for truck drivers. Whether speeding or driving with an overloaded trailer, rollover accidents can result when the driver attempts to turn a corner or curve.
4. Side-Impact Accidents
Side-impact crashes typically take place at intersections when a vehicle fails to yield to another with the right of way, either by speeding, running red lights, or failing to stop at stop signs. Oftentimes, these truck accidents result in serious injury or death when a truck collides with the side of another vehicle.
5. Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end accidents can also occur, involving distracted truck drivers who tailgate other vehicles and fail to stop in time to avoid hitting another vehicle from behind. Other rear-end car accidents, called underride accidents, may result from another vehicle hitting the rear of a tractor-trailer, causing the vehicle to become lodged beneath the truck.
Taking steps to avoid these trucking accidents can make the roads safer for everyone, including following all speed limit postings and maintaining a safe distance between trucks and other vehicles. When trucking companies fail to uphold public safety by forcing fatigued drivers to dispatch or poorly maintaining vehicles, they can be held liable in a truck accident lawsuit.
