Types of Trucking Accidents

Truck Accidents Come in Many Forms

Our attorneys know that truck accidents can come in many forms, and that the form an accident takes can have an impact on how the case is handled. Our three decades of experience means that we have handled all types of semi-truck collisions in Austin and throughout Central Texas. Types of truck accidents we have handled include:

  • Semi-truck jackknife accidents
  • Semi-truck rear-end collisions
  • Semi-truck intersection accidents

We have the ability to get results for both children and adults who have been hurt in trucking accidents. Regardless of who was the victim and what type of accident has occurred, our law firm can be trusted to fight for maximum compensation.

How the Type of Accident Impacts Our Approach to the Claim

Unfortunately, many truck accidents result in catastrophic injuries. This is due to the sheer size of a semi-truck and the comparative lack of strength offered by most other vehicles on the road.

From a purely legal perspective, one of the major factors that we need to consider is the regulated nature of the trucking industry. Truck drivers have rules to follow. They can only spend a certain amount of time on the road. They can only haul loads of a certain weight. Violations of state and federal laws are often at the heart of trucking accidents of all types.

Violations of truck industry regulations are not the only causes of accidents. Sometimes, investigation reveals that the cause was the truck itself. Perhaps there was a defective part or, more commonly, there was a part that was poorly maintained by the trucking company. We may have to go against a manufacturer or a maintenance provider, if not the trucking company itself. No matter who the opponent is, we are ready to take them on.

Causes of Accidents

Accidents happen everyday, not only with commercial vehicles but with all types of vehicles and objects. Accidents can be caused by negligence of the driver or even the truck itself. If you are involved these type of trucking accidents accidents, get the compensation you deserve.

The common causes of accidents by fault of by drivers are:

  • Cell phone use
  • Speeding/ ignoring reduced truck speed limits
  • Aggressive driving behavior
  • Lack of training
  • Failure to yield to right of way
  • Fatigue
  • Under the influence of drugs of alcohol
  • Disobeying safety procedures

The common causes of accidents by fault of truck malfunctions:

  • Motor vehicle inspection failure
  • Tires blow up
  • Weather conditions
  • Overloaded trucks or trailer
  • Poorly maintained brakes on truck
  • Loads that shift weight
  • No underride protection guard
  • Failure to inspect tires, brakes, and lights
  • Failure to install blind spot mirrors
  • Jackknifing

Multi-Vehicle Pile Up

Trucking accident can often cause multi-vehicle pile ups.  A multi-vehicle pile up occurs when multiple vehicles are involved in the same accident leading what is know as a pile up.A multi-vehicle pile up usually involves three or more vehicles. A multi-vehicle pile up can be catastrophic and lead to many people being injured all by the tractor trailer.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife accident is when a trailer resembles the shape of a folding knife because it has twisted, turned, folded, or spun. A jackknife accident occurs when a driver slams on their breaks causing the trailer to swing out, resulting in the truck overturning. Jackknifing usually occurs when a truck is going down hill. When a truck jackknife’s, they may collide with another car or even cause a multi-vehicle pileup.

Underride Collisions

Underride collisions occur when a vehicle slides underneath the back of the tractor trailer. Often times underride collisions are catastrophic and often fatal.  Over 50% of fatal crashes are from underride collisions.

Truck vs Motorcycle Accidents

Collisions between a motorcyclist and a tractor-trailer are often fatal. When a motorcyclist is struck by a tractor-trailer, they often go underneath the tractor-trailer or are thrown into the path of other vehicles. In 2017 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that about 4 percent of motorcycle accidents involved a large truck, They also reported that 39 percent of these accidents were the result of the truck making a left-hand turn. Additionally, they reported that 26 percent of accidents happened when both vehicles were moving the same direction.

Truck vs Pedestrian Accidents

A collision between a pedestrian and a tractor-trailer is almost always fatal. The faster a truck is traveling, the more catastrophic the accident will be.  According to the U.S Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 14 percent of motorcyclist, bicyclist and  pedestrian deaths in 2016 and 2017 were cause by large trucking accidents.

Rear-end Accidents

The most common type of accident that occurs is a rear-end accident. A rear-end accident occurs when a vehicle is hit in the rear-end by another vehicle. This often occurs when a passenger vehicle is stopping or slowing down and the tractor-trailer is unaware and is unable to stop in time resulting in a collision.

Head-on Collisions

Head-on collisions are often fatal. A head on collision is caused by a truck driver veering in to oncoming traffic causing it to collide head on with another vehicle.  According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, 44 percent of collisions between a vehicle and a tractor-trailer are head-on collisions.

Common causes of head-on collisions are:

  • Negligent Driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Driving while drowsy
  • Visually impaired because of weather conditions

The common types of injuries resulting from a head-on collision are:

  • Brain injuries
  • Back injuries
  • Blunt trauma injuries
  • Neck injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken arms or legs or rib cages
  • Other bone Fractures