Most drivers understand the need to drive with caution and attentiveness. But even if you have an excellent driving record, accidents can still happen to good drivers. Truck accidents occur without warning and sometimes, it may not be the injured party’s fault. Nonetheless, every driver should do their best to drive responsibly on the road.
Moreover, it’s crucial to realize that a truck collision can happen in various ways. Accidents occur, for example, when a semi-truck or trailer blows out a tire, which can cause the driver to lose control. However, collisions involving compact vehicles are more likely to result in tragic outcomes. Smaller cars are clearly at a disadvantage due to the size disparity. That said, here are some of the common types of truck accidents:
1. Underride Accidents
Underride accidents are much more harmful than other types of accidents on this list. An underride accident occurs when trucks collide with smaller vehicles, causing the smaller car to end up underneath them. The smaller vehicle invariably sustains most of the damage, and the passengers may sustain severe or fatal injuries.
Furthermore, underride accidents can happen as rear crashes or lateral crashes. Rear crashes are when the smaller vehicle hits the back of a truck trailer because the truck suddenly came to a halt or slowed down. The smaller vehicle may wind up beneath the large truck if the impact is significant enough. Moreover, they can also occur as lateral collisions, in which a car slips beneath the trailer on the side, causing the smaller vehicle to become pinned behind the trailer. Both types of underride incidents can cause severe injuries and even death.
2. Rollover Accident
Rollover accidents typically occur due to the truck driver losing control of the vehicle. Several things could lead to the driver losing control of the truck. Here are some scenarios to consider:
- Speed – Speed is the most common cause or contributing factor in rollover accidents. If the driver is driving too fast and hits a tight corner, the truck may tip over due to a lack of balance.
- Steep Roads and Terrain – Descending or ascending along steep, narrow roads requires expertise and poise. Occasionally, truck drivers must travel through rugged terrain, which may require them to negotiate steep ascents and descents. However, the truck may roll over if the driver fails to maneuver correctly.
- Hitting an Object – If a truck collides with a sharp object and one or more tires burst, the driver may lose control. This scenario could be exacerbated if the driver is traveling at high speeds.
Therefore, truck drivers need to drive responsibly while on the road because doing so can dramatically reduce the frequency of rollover accidents.
3. Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions are relatively common and can be caused by several factors. When a head-on collision occurs, it’s usually the case that one of the drivers was negligent because they would’ve ended up in the wrong lane at the wrong time. Here are some scenarios to consider:
- One of the drivers may not have stopped at a stop sign or red light or failed to yield to another vehicle when it was their turn to go.
- It also could be one of the parties was driving under the influence, causing them to make reckless driving decisions, which led to the accident.
- A tire blowout can lead to rollovers, but it could also cause the truck to drift into opposite traffic lanes, leading to head-on collisions.
- Another factor might be driver fatigue from long hours behind the wheel, which could make them less attentive when driving.
4. T-bone Accidents
These are also known as ‘side-impact accidents’ and usually happen near traffic intersections. If a truck passes a red light or a stop sign at a junction, it may collide with other cars on its side, forming a T-shape. Impaired or irresponsible drivers may run through intersections, resulting in T-bone accidents. These accidents could be fatal for the passengers on the side of the impact.
5. Sideswipe Accident
Typically, every vehicle has some blind spots that drivers should be constantly aware of. Trucks are no exception. Sideswipe accidents happen when vehicles are traveling side by side in the same direction. They usually collide because a driver fails to check their blind spots before trying to switch lanes, leading to a side collision. But also, the truck driver could lose control of their vehicle due to intense wind, tire blowouts, and bumping into road obstacles, causing side-swap accidents.
Conclusion
There are many ways in which truck accidents can occur. But it’s incumbent upon truck drivers and every road user to drive responsibly to prevent these accidents. Most accidents can be avoided by driving correctly on the road, but others may not be so easy to control.
Nevertheless, suppose you do get into an accident and incur injuries. In that case, it may be a good idea to contact personal injury lawyers to file a claim for damages because you shouldn’t have to incur the cost of damages that aren’t your fault. These attorneys will guide you through the entire process and ensure you get a fair settlement on your claims.
