Types of Truck Accidents
The average commercial truck can weigh approximately 80,000 pounds. Sharing the road, or a busy highway with a vehicle of this massive size and weight can be intimidating under the best of circumstances. When a passenger vehicle and a commercial truck are involved in an accident, it is usually the occupants of the car that suffer the most serious injuries, if they are lucky enough to have survived the crash. In some cases, these accidents can be the result of negligence, either by the truck driver or the trucking company. Other times, weather, road conditions, and other factors can cause a truck driver to lose control of the vehicle. Regardless of the circumstances, the legal team at Eckell Sparks will help you recover the compensation you deserve if you have been involved in a devastating truck accident.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Certain types of truck accidents can result in particularly devastating injuries and property damage. Following are some of the most common types of truck accidents.
- Jackknife Tractor Trailer Accidents: When a tractor-trailer begins to skid, the trailer can form a 90-degree angle with the tractor before it comes to a complete stop. If other motorists in the vicinity are unable to get out of the truck’s way, the trailer can crash into another vehicle, or even roll over it, crushing the car and causing massive damage and injuries. These are often caused by equipment failure or truck driver negligence.
- Underride Accidents: These tend to be one of the deadliest types of truck accidents, which occur when a smaller vehicle slides under the rear of the trailer as a result of the size difference. Most trucks today that are over 10,000 pounds are equipped with rear underride guards. However, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, they are not always effective, particularly in off-center collisions and high speed crashes.
- Rollover Accidents: Due to their high center of gravity, rollovers are among the most common types of truck accidents. They are also largely preventable if the truck driver maintains a safe speed, slows down when approaching a curve, and keeps his or her attention focused on the road at all times.
- Lost Loads: When a truck’s cargo is overloaded or improperly secured, it can become loose and fall off the truck during transit. If there are other vehicles in the truck’s path, it can cause a number of dangerous situations. The cargo can hit other cars or cause motorists to swerve into another lane to avoid the fallen cargo. In addition, if the cargo shifts as a result of being improperly loaded, there is an increased risk of a rollover accident.
- Blind Spot/ No Zone Accidents: Large commercial trucks have larger blind spots than other trucks. If a truck driver fails to notice another vehicle in their blind spot, there is a much greater chance that the truck will collide with another vehicle, causing a potentially serious accident.
- Rear-End/Head-On Collisions: These types of crashes involve a truck hitting another vehicle directly, either from behind or head-on. Some of the most common causes of these accident include speeding, distracted driving, drowsy driving, aggressive driving, or driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Injuries and property damage from rear-end and head-on collisions tend to be extremely serious, often ending fatalities.
Media Truck Accident Lawyers at Eckell Sparks Seek Justice for Victims of Truck Accidents
If you or a loved one has been seriously, or fatally injured in a truck accident, it is in your best interest to contact the highly skilled Media truck accident lawyers at Eckell, Sparks, Levy, Auerbach, Monte, Sloane, Matthews & Auslander, P.C. at your earliest convenience. Our dedicated legal team understands how devastating truck accident can be and we are committed to protecting your rights throughout the claims process. We will fight to obtain the maximum financial compensation you deserve for your injuries and ensure that the negligent parties are held accountable for their actions. Call us today at 610-565-3710 or contact us online. Our offices are located in Media and West Chester, Pennsylvania, and we serve clients throughout Delaware County, Chester County, and Montgomery County.