Types of Truck Accidents
Truck accidents can be devastating for the victims. They are often accompanied by severe injuries and lifelong disability.
Large trucks are more difficult to handle than passenger vehicles. This makes them more prone to collide with other cars.
Rear-End Collisions
Trucks are often at the center of rear-end collisions and a lot of these accidents result in serious personal injury and property damage. Semi-trucks, that can weigh up to 80,000 pounds are able to crush small cars when they crash with the rear of the vehicle to the front.
Because of their weight, size and speed truck drivers take longer to stop than smaller vehicles. This can cause rear-end collisions to occur when the driver in front of the truck slows down or stops abruptly in order to avoid a car in the front.
However, there are some things you can do to reduce the risk of being involved in a rear-end collision with truck. The most important is to pay attention to your surroundings while driving. Check your mirrors, and also look out for the road in front of you to make sure there aren't any vehicles that could pose danger.
Be alert to the road if the driver in front of you is braking or drifting too fast for the conditions. This will help you determine if there are other drivers on the road that could pose a risk and let you alter your course accordingly.
Rear-end collisions in the United States are among the most frequent accidents that affect all drivers on the road. This includes truckers. Rear-end collisions can be triggered by several factors, including the speed of a vehicle traffic congestion, aggressive driving and distracted driving.
If you've been in a rear-end truck accident it is crucial to contact an attorney immediately. A skilled lawyer for truck accidents can ensure you receive the amount you are due following a collision.
A qualified attorney can investigate the cause of your accident, gather evidence, and help you prove that you are at fault in court. They can also negotiate on your behalf with the insurance company to ensure that they get you the maximum financial recovery.
You and your family can be terribly hurt in a rear-end collision. It is imperative to contact a truck accident lawyer as early as you can. They can assist you in determining what caused the accident and fight any insurance company tactics to lower or deny your claims.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on truck accidents are among the most serious accidents. These accidents happen when a semi or another big truck collides with a smaller passenger vehicle.
This kind of crash is incredibly dangerous because of the weight differential between the two vehicles. The impact could be very brutal and cause serious injuries.
If you are involved in a head-on collision, it is imperative to seek medical attention immediately. If you have suffered serious injuries, you must seek treatment right away.
It is also essential to have the damage to your vehicle assessed by an expert. This will give you a better idea of how much money you can recover from the other driver.
An attorney for truck accidents can help you determine who is responsible for your head-on collision and obtain the compensation you require to compensate for your losses. The damages you suffer could include medical expenses loss of wages, as well as non-economic damages like pain and suffering.
Driver negligence is often the reason behind head-on collisions with trucks. This means that the driver of the truck was obligated to you a certain duty of care, and violated it by causing the accident.
A truck driver, for instance could cross the middle line in order to pass another car in a dangerous manner. This could be due to the driver is intoxicated or driving on a roadway that is not visible like a curve or hill. A truck driver may also be speeding or driving to speed for conditions such as wet or icy roads.
Inattention is another common cause of head-on collisions between trucks. This could be due to the driver being distracted by an GPS device, mobile phone or other vehicle equipment. A single second of distraction could cause the driver of the truck to cross the center line into oncoming traffic which can result in an accident with a head-on collision.
In addition to the driver's negligence, the design or construction of a highway or another roadway could also result in a head-on collision. These issues could include confusing signage, poor road markings and hazard zones in construction zones.
Head-on collisions can result in catastrophic injuries like brain damage or spinal cord injuries. These injuries could alter your life for the rest of your life and cause long-term health problems.
Jackknife Collisions
Jackknife collisions are amongst the most dangerous types of truck accidents. They can cause catastrophic injuries, even fatalities, for those involved, including other drivers.
The majority of jackknife accidents are the result of driver error. However, trucks can also jackknife for other reasons.
When a tire of a truck loses grip on slick surfaces, it is one of the most frequent reasons for an jackknife. This is because trucks require static friction between the tires and the ground in order to keep traction. The conditions that make it slippery can make this a challenge.
Another reason why trucks will jackknife is if they are hauling too much weight. A truck tire can carry around one quarter of its maximum capacity for carrying. If the truck is loaded beyond its capacity, it is more likely to jackknife.
Other factors that could contribute to a jackknife accident include bad weather conditions. Snow, rain and ice could all cause the road to become slippery.
You can avoid the risk of a jackknife, by paying attention to the road and your surroundings. If you observe that a truck is traveling too close to your vehicle make sure to stop and get out of its way.
Be on the lookout for vehicles in front of the truck. They might be tailgating and may not have the space to stop.
If you have to hit the brakes hard to avoid the possibility of crashing, be sure not to lock your tires since this can be very dangerous. If you do, your trailer may slide sideways and then jackknife with the front of the truck.
Once you've been in a jackknife-related accident, you should seek medical attention right away. The longer you delay in seeking treatment and getting it, the more difficult it will be for you to claim compensation.
It is also essential to speak with a lawyer if you have been injured in a truck accident involving jackknife. Your lawyer can help you decide how to begin a claim for compensation.
A jackknife-related injury can cause serious injuries to your neck, head and back. Depending on how severe your injuries are, you may require extensive rehabilitation and treatment.
Blind Spot Collisions
Blind spot collisions are often caused by truck drivers who fail to check their mirrors prior changing lanes. These accidents are particularly common at intersections and roundabouts where there is less visibility.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has reported nearly 840,000 blind spot accidents each year, resulting in more than 300 deaths and numerous injuries. There are a few things you can do to avoid these types of accidents.
You should first know what blind spots and how to avoid these. You can do this by doing a "shoulder-check" when changing lanes or turning. This is a straightforward check that you can perform before every move.
A shoulder check involves briefly turning your head to the side or back to ensure that there are no other cars in the vicinity. You can also use your rearview mirror or side mirrors to check for other vehicles that may be in your blind spot.
It is also important to give truck drivers more space when they make a turn or change lanes. This will prevent them from side-swiping your vehicle.
Last but not least, do not go by a semi truck in a hurry. YouTube could cause an accident at the rear because the truck won't be capable of stopping in time and could hit your car.
Drivers should be aware that commercial trucks have large blind spots, which can increase their risk of causing an accident with other motorists. This is because a semi-truck has more mass than a typical passenger vehicle and therefore requires more distance to slow down and stop completely.
It is also important to note that truck drivers can be distracted or impaired due to fatigue, alcohol or other drugs. All of these factors could affect their ability to see other vehicles and reduce their ability to react in a situation of emergency.
If you or a loved one was involved in a car accident it is important to talk to an experienced attorney whenever you can. An experienced attorney will be able investigate the crash and determine who is to blame, as well as how the liability should be divided.