10 Reasons You'll Need To Know About Semi Truck Accident
Types of Semi Truck Accidents
Due to their size and weight semi-trucks are top heavy and are able to roll over at any speed. These accidents can cause serious injuries to those involved.
Driver error is the leading cause of semi-truck accidents. However, other factors may also cause accidents involving rollovers.
Rear-End Collisions
If a vehicle rears into another, the result can be serious damage. This is particularly true when a commercial truck similar to a semi-truck is involved. These vehicles can be as heavy as 80,000 pounds and can cause serious injuries to the passengers or drivers when they collide with one another.
There are a variety of ways you can avoid the possibility of a rear-end collision with a commercial truck. It is crucial to complete as much instruction as you can, and to adhere to traffic laws. You should avoid driving if you feel tired or distracted by drugs and alcohol.
A personal injury lawyer is recommended if you're hit by a truck. An attorney can help you determine if your damages are covered by your insurer or if you need to file a lawsuit.
Most rear-end accidents with trucks occur because of human error. However there are instances where accidents may be caused by mechanical issues. In these cases, a mechanic or manufacturer could be responsible for your accident.
These accidents could also be caused by reckless driving or drivers with no experience. These crashes are particularly risky for teens, elderly and people with disabilities.
Rear-end accidents in trucks can also be caused by fatigue and drowsiness. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has commanded trucking companies to restrict their drivers' working hours to 10 hours per day.
The blind spot of the driver is another reason that can result in the rear-end crash of a tractor-trailer. Tractor-trailers are equipped with huge blind spots on all sides that can make it difficult for drivers to see other vehicles on the road.
Because of this, trucks can cause rear-end collisions when a vehicle carrying passengers changes lanes or travels into the driver's blind spot. This can lead to serious bodily injuries or even death for the person riding in the vehicle.
In a rear-end collision the most commonly injured are bruises and lacerations. This is because the rear of the vehicle can feel the most impact. This can result in debris flying around and striking the vehicle's occupants. Due to the weight of the vehicle, the back can be twisted or crushed. This could result in head injuries, neck and spinal cord injuries or even death in severe crashes.
Side Collisions
Side collisions are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents. They can cause severe injuries to the occupants sitting on the side of the vehicle or truck that was hit.
The vast majority of collisions involving side vehicles involve vehicles of near-equal weight. This is a major issue because commercial trucks can be 20 times heavier than cars, and travel at extremely high speeds.
These heavy trucks pose an ongoing threat to roads and highways across the nation. There are steps motorists can take to minimize the risk of being involved in collisions with trucks that cause side-impacts.
The first rule is to stay in your line of sight. Then be sure to signal when you need for a semi to pass. This is a good rule of thumb for all vehicles, but especially for semis.
It is vital to not let a truck tailgate. A large truck that is towed can be fatal as it permits the truck to plough into the rear of your vehicle. This can lead to catastrophic injuries and even death.
Never stop or turn in front of a truck. This can be particularly dangerous at intersections.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that in 2018side collisions led to 6.037 fatalities and 515,000 personal injuries across the nation. This number is higher than the fatalities resulting from head-on or rear-end collisions.
This kind of accident is common at intersections where truckers have to be aware of traffic. Truck drivers who do not properly gauge the time it takes to turn right or left could cause accidents.
Furthermore, truck drivers could make mistakes in weather conditions that make the roads slippery. This could cause a driver to lose control of their vehicle, and make a wrong turn.
If you've been involved in a semi-truck accident and suffered injuries, it's important to consult a skilled semi-truck accident lawyer. These attorneys will be able to assist you to receive the compensation you need for your losses.
Jackknife Collisions
Accidents involving Jackknifing are among the most dangerous types of truck crashes and can cause catastrophic injuries to the victim. These collisions could involve one semi truck colliding with another.
A truck's trailer can move horizontally across the road and into the path or other vehicles in the event of a jackknife. This can result in injuries to the motorists involved in the accident as well as damage or destruction of other property in the vicinity.
Accidents that involve jackknifing can occur with any vehicle, but they are more common in large trucks. Due to their weight and size the heavy vehicles may be more difficult to stop and slow down.
Often, the cause of an accident with a jackknife is a driver error. It could be the result of speeding, stopping too abruptly or not paying attention to the traffic conditions ahead.
denton truck accident lawsuits for weather and equipment malfunctions are among the causes of jackknife collisions. Poor weather, such as the cold or rainy weather, reduces visibility and makes it harder for truck drivers to see other road users, leading them to brake abruptly and run the risk of causing a jackknife collision.
Another reason that is often the cause of a truck accident that is a result of a jackknife is the overloaded cargo on the trailer. This can result in uneven distribution of the load, which could result in a swaying of the truck's trailer and the cab.
An overload may also be caused by inadvertent loading and securing of the cargo, which can also result in a collision between a truck and a jackknife. The person responsible to load and secure the cargo may be held accountable for any damage.
Trucks must also be properly maintained and inspected prior to travel to ensure that they are safe for the road and weather. Regular checks, like checking the tires and mechanical components, can stop jackknifing accidents from happening.
Despite the most effective safety measures, a jackknife truck crash is still a gruesome accident that can cause catastrophic injuries and death. If you or a loved one suffered serious injuries as a result of an accident involving a jackknife, a Roswell personal injury lawyer may be able help pursue the compensation you deserve.
Rollover Collisions
Rollovers can happen to any vehicle, and they are among the most dangerous kinds. However, truckers are especially susceptible to rollover accidents because of their size and weight.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that more than 70% of all major truck rollovers involve tractor-trailers. These trucks usually weigh up to 80,000 pounds or more, which means they are particularly risky when they roll over.
If a truck rolls on its side, the entire truck can flip over and become stuck underneath it, creating an extremely dangerous situation. The most frequent cause for accidents that result from a rollover is due to the semi-truck driver's inability to control the vehicle, either by speeding or taking sudden turns.
Tractor-trailers can be a lot larger and heavier than passenger vehicles and the weight of their trailers can cause them to be more unstable. This is due to many factors, like the amount of cargo inside the trailer or how fast the driver turns around corners.
Tripping - A heavy truck could tip over and land on its side if it comes into contact with a curb or other road obstruction. This can lead to a variety of injuries, such as paralysis and brain injuries that are traumatic.
Poor steering - According to FMCSA 19 of the 239 rollovers occurred due to poor steering control. This could happen when you shift a many times or change lanes. It can occur when you're distracted by other activities like sleeping at the wheel, or being unfocused, or falling asleep at the wheel.
Improperly Loaded Cargo The load of a truck may shift in a sudden manner and cause it to lose stability and result in a rollover crash. This is a big problem when a truck is loaded with hazardous materials, and is often loaded improperly.
A stray tire can also cause a truck to lose its balance and increase the risk of falling over. This can happen due to a tire blowout, or if the driver doesn't pay attention to the road and steers inadvertently.
These injuries can be painful for anyone involved in an accident. They can cause a wide range of serious injuries from burns to broken bones. They can also be very painful and require several surgeries. It is important to consult with an attorney right away after you've been involved in a truck rolling over. This will enable you to pursue the compensation you deserve for your losses.