Types of Truck Accidents

Many of us have experienced the precarious moment of driving behind an 18-wheeler when its tire blows out or a negligent trucker drives too fast in heavy traffic, veers out of their lane, or fails to yield.

Large vehicles carry incredible weight and power, meaning a single slip by a driver, trucking company, or even a mechanic can lead to devastating crashes. When these accidents occur, a skilled truck accident lawyer can help victims seek compensation for their injuries and losses.

The many types of truck accidents can all lead to devastating consequences for everyone involved.

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Truck Accidents in the U.S.: A Troubling Trend

Despite advances in crash avoidance technologies in passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, truck accidents continue to rise throughout the U.S. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), the number of truck accidents has increased by 49% over the last ten years.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 120,000 truck crashes occurred in the U.S. in one recent year, resulting in the deaths of 5,936 individuals. Commercial truck crashes injured more than 161,000 others in the same year, including many who suffered serious or permanently debilitating injuries.

These numbers shed light on the heartbreaking toll these accidents take on victims and their families. Tragically, truckers or trucking companies could have prevented nearly all of these crashes.

If a negligent truck driver or other party injured you in an accident, an experienced truck accident lawyer can review your case, explain your rights, and discuss your legal options for securing compensation for all your damages and losses.

The Dangers of Commercial Trucks

When you consider the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, it’s easy to see why they threaten everyone on the road.

A passenger vehicle weighs around 3,000–4,000 pounds, while a fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. This size disparity can lead to catastrophic outcomes when a truck collides with a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or pedestrian.

Even a minor lapse in judgment by the truck driver or any party involved in manufacturing, maintaining, or loading the truck can result in a multi-vehicle crash.

Multiple blind zones around the front, back, and sides of the truck, often called no zones, can make changing lanes much more challenging for truck drivers.

Commercial trucks also travel about the length of one and a half football fields to stop, which increases the risk of a collision in a number of circumstances, including slick roads, heavy traffic, and driver distraction.

Rear-end truck crashes

Even a minor tap from a commercial truck can cause serious vehicle damage and severe injuries to passenger vehicle occupants. Trucks require a longer distance to come to a complete stop. If a truck driver breaks the speed limit, drives distracted, or has poorly maintained brakes, a rear-end truck accident can happen in seconds.

T-bone accidents

T-bone truck crashes occur when the front of a truck slams into the side of a smaller vehicle. They often happen at intersections when a truck driver runs a red light or stop sign. T-bone accidents can throw occupants against doors and windows, leading to broken bones or traumatic head injuries.

Head-on collisions

Head-on crashes are often devastating no matter what types of vehicles are involved, but when a large commercial truck crosses into oncoming traffic, the results can kill. Head-on crashes can stem from driver fatigue, distraction, or other forms of negligence.

Truck rollovers

A rollover can happen when a driver loses control, takes a turn too sharply, or drives too fast for road conditions or the weather.

In Colorado or other regions with dynamic weather patterns, truck drivers must take extra care. Icy roads or strong winds could increase the likelihood of rollovers if the truck operator fails to adjust speed or properly secure the cargo. A rollover accident can also affect multiple lanes of traffic, creating a chain reaction of collisions.

Tire blowouts

Blowouts often occur due to old, worn down, or improperly inflated tires.

In Colorado, where temperatures sway between the extremes, tires endure extra stress that can hasten the tires’ wear and tear. A sudden blowout can cause the driver to lose control, swerve unexpectedly, or roll over.

Poor inspection and maintenance by the trucking company or mechanic can contribute to this scenario.

Blind spot accidents

Commercial trucks have large areas around their vehicle that the driver can’t see clearly. These blind spots extend along the sides and behind the truck’s trailer. A negligent truck driver who fails to check these areas before changing lanes or turning can sideswipe or collide with a vehicle in the next lane.

Shifting cargo accidents

Cargo that is not properly balanced or secured can shift in the trailer, throwing the truck off balance, especially in high winds or on a steep incline. In turn, the driver might lose control or find it impossible to slow down.

Underride accidents

An underride crash occurs when a smaller vehicle slides under a truck’s trailer. These devastating crashes usually happen when a truck stops or slows suddenly and the smaller vehicle cannot brake in time.

Unfortunately, these extremely serious crashes can trap a car’s front end beneath a truck. Rear underride guards try to prevent this, but weak or damaged guards make the danger far greater.

Override accidents

An override is like an underride, but the truck rides up and over a smaller vehicle. Override accidents can occur if the truck driver is speeding in heavy traffic, fails to notice sudden slowing ahead, or experiences brake problems. Override accidents can lead to major damage and life-altering injuries.

Wide-turn accidents

Making a right turn in a commercial truck requires extra space. The driver might swing left to create enough room, but if they fail to check mirrors or watch the road carefully, they can trap smaller cars or even pedestrians in a dangerous path. This type of collision often stems from driver negligence during routine maneuvers.

Jackknife crashes

A jackknife crash involves the trailer folding at the hinge point, forming a sharp angle with the truck’s cab. Jackknife accidents can occur when a truck driver brakes suddenly on a slick road or if cargo weight shifts unevenly.

Once the trailer swings out of control, it can strike other vehicles, roll over entirely, or block other lanes of traffic, creating the risk of side underrides.

Types of Commercial Trucks Involved in Crashes

Commercial vehicles vary in design and purpose, posing unique hazards when trucking companies fail to properly maintain them or drivers operate them negligently.

• Semi-trucks / tractor-trailers

Semi-trucks haul large loads over long distances. They have a cab (tractor) and a detachable trailer. Their significant length and weight make it challenging for them to stop quickly, and improper braking or unbalanced cargo can lead to catastrophic collisions.

• Tanker trucks

Tanker trucks transport liquids, such as fuel or chemicals. Spillage from a tanker truck crash can cause fires, explosions, or hazardous material spills. A small leak or shift in liquid cargo can create major road dangers.

• Dump trucks (larger versions)

Dump trucks carry loose material such as gravel, sand, or soil. They have a high center of gravity and can easily tip over. An improperly secured load may fall off the truck, creating road hazards or striking other vehicles.

• Concrete mixer trucks

Mixer trucks carry rotating drums that keep concrete and cement from hardening. These drums add weight and can shift the mixer’s balance while driving. If a driver speeds or takes a turn too sharply, the truck can roll over, causing blockages and spilling wet cement.

• Garbage trucks

Garbage trucks repeatedly stop and start through residential areas. They might block lanes unexpectedly, leading to rear-end collisions. Mechanical failures in the lifting and compacting equipment can add another layer of danger.

• Logging trucks

If the timber on a logging truck isn’t well-secured, it can shift or slide off the truck, striking other vehicles. Because logs are long and heavy, even a small shift can affect a truck’s stability on the road.

• Car carrier trucks

Car carriers haul multiple vehicles, which can cause them to have numerous blind spots and a high load. Faulty securing on the trailer can cause vehicles to shift or fall during transit. If improperly maintained, a carrier’s ramps or chains can break free.

• Crane trucks

Crane trucks have extendable or fixed arms to lift heavy objects, which can shift the truck’s center of gravity. Inadequate maintenance or operator error can cause the crane to tip over or swing into traffic.

• Bucket trucks

Bucket trucks carry a platform for workers. Utility companies frequently use them to reach power lines or tree branches. Negligent operation or failing mechanical parts can lead to falling platforms or swinging arms.

• Tow trucks

Tow trucks move disabled vehicles. Sudden stops or improper hooking of the towed vehicle can cause it to sway, endangering nearby drivers. If the driver fails to secure the vehicle properly, it might detach and roll into traffic.

• Parcel delivery vans

Parcel delivery vans like those used by FedEx, UPS, and Amazon run on tight schedules, making frequent stops in residential neighborhoods. If the driver breaks the speed limit, drives fatigued, or lets a cell phone or GPS distract them, they can easily cause a collision.

• Grain trucks

Grain trucks carry bulk commodities like corn or wheat. Overloading or uneven loading can shift the weight drastically. Sharp turns or sudden stops can cause these trucks to tip or spill their load.

• Silage trucks

Silage trucks carry heavy and often wet, fermented grass or crops used for animal feed. Silage can shift within the trailer, creating unsteady weight distribution. If the trucking company doesn’t adhere to loading guidelines, the risk of a rollover increases.

• Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) trucks

HAZMAT trucks carry dangerous chemicals, gases, or explosives. A release of these substances in an accident can cause toxic exposure and environmental damage. Negligence and noncompliance with strict federal regulations can result in deadly spills or explosions.

• Oversized load trucks

Oversized load trucks transport items that exceed typical length, width, or height limits. These can include houses, wind turbine blades, or large machinery. Improperly secured cargo, such as a trailer home, or simply the driver’s inattention, can cause collisions with overpasses, road signs, or other vehicles.

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Top Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents frequently stem from negligence by the driver, trucking company, manufacturer, or other related parties.

Common causes of truck accident include:

• Speeding or reckless driving: Under pressure to make deliveries on time, a truck driver might speed or drive aggressively, increasing the risk of an accident.
• Driver fatigue: Truckers work long hours and might skip adequate rest. A tired driver can drift across lanes or fail to brake in time.
• Distracted driving: Checking phones, GPS, and other devices can pull a driver’s focus from the road.
• Poor maintenance: Neglected brakes, tires, or other critical components may fail unexpectedly.
• Improper loading: Failing to balance and secure cargo can lead to shifting loads and rollovers.
• Substance abuse: Drinking or using drugs can impair reaction times and judgment.
• Mechanical defects: You might hold truck part manufacturers liable if a defect contributes to an accident.

Common Truck Accident Injuries

Commercial truck accidents often leave victims with severe and lasting harm. Injuries can fall into three major categories.

Physical injuries

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): A blow or jolt to the head can result in concussion and other forms of traumatic brain injury that can have long-term or permanent effects.
• Spinal cord injuries: Sudden impact can compress or sever the spinal cord, leading to partial or full paralysis.
• Broken bones: Collisions can cause multiple fractures that require long and painful healing periods.
• Burn injuries: Fuel tanks can catch fire, or hot metal surfaces might leave survivors with severe burns.
• Internal organ damage: High-impact collisions can damage organs, requiring surgery or intensive medical care.

Emotional injuries

• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Truck crash victims may relive the crash through nightmares and flashbacks.
• Depression and anxiety: Dealing with pain, loss of mobility, or a lengthy recovery often impacts mental health.
• Emotional distress: Victims might battle fear of driving or feelings of isolation while recovering.

Financial harm

• Medical expenses: Hospital bills, medications, and rehabilitation can add up quickly.
• Lost wages: Recovering from injuries can force victims to miss work, leaving them without a paycheck.
• Loss of earning capacity: Some injuries can permanently affect a person’s ability to return to their job.

Compensation for Injuries and Losses After a Truck Accident

A truck accident can upend your life. While nothing may fully restore you to the physical and emotional state you enjoyed before the truck crash, financial compensation can lift heavy financial burdens from you, giving you the time and space to heal.

Compensation for truck accident injuries caused by negligence may include medical expenses, lost wages or income, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and more.

If the unthinkable happens and you lose a loved one in a truck accident, a wrongful death claim or lawsuit can compensate you for funeral expenses, lost future earnings, loss of companionship, and more.

In cases involving extremely reckless or willful misconduct, courts may order the at-fault party to pay punitive damages on top of compensatory damages.

Who Is at Fault for Your Truck Accident?

To seek full, fair, and complete compensation for your injuries, hire a truck accident lawyer to identify every liable party and prove their negligence.

Your truck accident lawyer will investigate your accident from several angles to determine every potentially liable party, including:

• Truck drivers
• Trucking companies
• Vehicle or part manufacturers
• Mechanics
• Cargo loaders

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You

Hiring a legal professional soon after a crash can make a big difference in the outcome of your claim.

A truck accident lawyer can:

• Handle the insurance companies: Insurance adjusters usually offer lower settlements or try to shift blame fault onto you to reduce their own liability. An experienced truck accident lawyer will handle negotiations and protect you.
• Uncover evidence: Experienced truck accident attorneys know the complex government trucking regulations and how they affect your truck accident case.
• Build a compelling case: From witness interviews to expert witness evaluations, your lawyer will compile the evidence necessary to demonstrate the at-fault party’s negligence.
• Prepare for trial: If the companies refuse to offer you a fair settlement, a trial lawyer with courtroom experience can argue your case to a judge or jury.

An Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer with Fuicelli & Lee Can Help

After a truck accident injures you, you don’t have to cope with the aftermath on your own. At Fuicelli & Lee, our experienced personal injury attorneys understand how overwhelming and painful this time can be, and we are here to help you through it.

Call us at (303) 444-4444 or fill out our online contact form for a free, no-obligation consultation. We’re here to listen, explain your options, and stand by your side every step of the way.

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