Truck accident victims often suffer the most serious and life-changing injuries possible. Those traveling in passenger vehicles such as cars, trucks, and minivans are no match for tractor-trailers that are much larger and heavier than other vehicles traveling on the roads. When a passenger vehicle and large truck collide—tragedy often strikes. Passenger vehicles have little protection against these massive trucks and the passengers inside often experience life-threatening and possibly fatal injuries. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), thousands of people are injured and hundreds of people lose their lives because of truck crashes each year.
Common Truck Accidents You May Become Involved In
No one can predict the future; however, chances are, if you’re going to be involved in an accident with a truck, it’s going to involve one of the following scenarios:
- Rollover accidents. These accidents are some of the most dangerous, and common, crashes that occur. In fact, hundreds of drivers die each year because of rollover accidents. Slippery roads and trucks that are moving too fast around turns are often to blame for rollover accidents, which take place when the driver loses control of the vehicle and it rolls over on its side. If the truck lands on another vehicle, serious damage can occur.
- Underride crashes. Small cars and trucks with high rear decks are typically involved in underride crashes. This situation occurs when the truck stops and the car continues to move forward—crashing into the truck. The car can either slide under the trailer, or the back end of the truck can smash the windshield and cause grave or fatal injuries to those inside.
- Tire blowouts. Tractor-trailers put many miles on their wheels in a short amount of time. They also travel on roads that have potholes and other hazardous conditions that can damage tires quickly. If the tires become damaged while the truck is on the road, they could blow apart and potentially cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.
- Lost loads. Improperly trained workers, faulty equipment, and uneven loading are often the reason that loads fall off of trucks. The cargo can fall on the vehicles around the truck, or it can land on the road and cause accidents to occur.
- T-bone crashes. These are perhaps the most widely-known crashes that occur with tractor-trailers, and take place when the front of the truck crashes into the side of another vehicle, creating a “T” shape. Because of the force created and the size of the tractor-trailer, the truck driver isn’t usually injured as seriously as the occupants in the other vehicle.
- Wide turns. Because of their length, tractor-trailers often make extremely wide right turns. In fact, they will often swerve into the left lane when trying to make these turns. When they finally make their way around to the right, they can collide with vehicles in their path.
Types of Large Trucks on Roadways Throughout the United States
A variety of different trucks are on the road at any given moment. However, it only takes one to crash into you and change your life forever. The following a brief overview of three common trucks on the roadways:
- Tanker trucks. These massive vehicles often carry hazardous materials in the form of liquids or gases, which can pose a significant threat to the public if they are involved in a crash.
- Tow trucks. Used to haul other vehicles, tow trucks are frequently seen on highways and side streets. They are often operated by drivers who are inadequately trained, which can result in unsafe driving.
- Dump and garbage trucks. Often carrying sand, dirt, gravel, and other materials found on construction sites, dump trucks and garbage trucks have unusually large blind spots that can prevent the drivers from seeing other vehicles around them. As a result, serious accidents can occur.
If You Are Involved in a Crash
As a truck accident victim, you are likely enduring painful and serious injuries that have you worried about your future. The attorneys at Kennedy Law Firm, LLP want to help. Schedule an appointment and find out if you may be entitled to receive compensation that could pay for your current and future bills that are the result of your truck accident.