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Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are particularly dangerous because of the sheer size and weight of trucks, which makes them significantly more cumbersome and difficult to maneuver than smaller vehicles. A typical big rig truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, compared to an average passenger car that weighs around 4,000 pounds. This weight discrepancy means that when a truck collides with a smaller passenger vehicle, the impact force is much greater, resulting in more severe damage and injuries.

While every truck accident is unique and can cause serious injuries to both the driver and others, some can cause catastrophic injuries. The truck accident attorneys at Torgenson Law have represented Arizona drivers for more than 20 years, and we’ve seen every type of accident.

Well explain some of the most common truck accidents below, but when you need personal representation and the expertise to investigate every element of an accident to prove fault, turn to Torgenson Law. We’ll fight to get you justice for your injuries and damages.

Rollover Accidents

A rollover truck accident refers to a specific type of traffic collision where a large commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer or semi-truck, tips over onto its side or completely flips over onto its roof. These accidents can occur on highways, city streets, or any other road where trucks travel.

Truck rollover accidents frequently cause fractures and broken bones to those passengers involved in a crash. A rollover’s intense pressure and impact can lead to fractures in various parts of the body, such as the arms, legs, ribs, or skull. Additionally, truck rollovers often result in soft tissue injuries, such as bruises, sprains, strains, and lacerations.

Jackknife Accidents

A jackknife truck accident refers to a type of accident that occurs when the trailer of a truck skids or swings to the side, forming an acute angle with the cab or tractor. When this happens, the trailer swings out of control and may end up facing either oncoming traffic or backward, compared to the direction of the truck’s movement.

A common cause of a truck jackknife accident is excessive speed. Trucks are large and heavy vehicles, and traveling at high speeds makes it much more difficult for the driver to maintain control. When a truck driver applies the brakes suddenly at a high speed, the trailer may swing out to the side, causing the truck to jackknife. This can happen especially if the road conditions, such as wet or icy surfaces, make it even more difficult for the driver to maintain control.

Wide-Turn Accidents

A wide-turn truck accident occurs when a large commercial truck takes a wider turn than necessary and collides with another vehicle, pedestrian, or infrastructure. This type of accident is particularly common and dangerous because large trucks require more space and time to complete turns due to their size and weight.

A wide-turn truck accident can potentially result in several types of injuries. One common injury is whiplash, which occurs when the force of impact causes the head and neck to suddenly and forcefully move back and forth. This can lead to neck pain, headaches, and difficulty moving or turning the head. Additionally, being involved in a wide-turn truck accident can result in spinal injuries, such as herniated discs or spinal cord damage, which can lead to long-term disabilities or even paralysis.

Underride Accidents

An underride truck accident occurs when a smaller vehicle collides with a commercial truck and slides underneath it. In such accidents, the bottom of the truck’s trailer often shears through the windshield and roof of the smaller vehicle, causing catastrophic injuries or even death to the occupants.

One common cause is when the smaller vehicle follows the truck too closely and fails to maintain a safe stopping distance. This can happen if the driver is distracted, fatigued, or simply not paying attention to the road ahead. Another factor is poor visibility. Large trucks have blind spots, especially in the back and sides, which can make it difficult for the truck driver to see smaller vehicles. If the driver of the smaller vehicle does not consider this and tries to pass the truck in an unsafe manner, an underride accident can occur.

Blind Spot Accidents

A blind spot truck accident refers to a collision that occurs when a truck driver fails to see another vehicle or pedestrian in their blind spot and subsequently begins a maneuver without taking proper precautions. Blind spots, also known as “No Zones,” are areas around a vehicle that are not visible to the driver through their side-view mirrors.

Statistics indicate that blind spot truck accidents are quite common. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that blind spot-related accidents were responsible for approximately 840 deaths and 39,000 injuries in 2019 in the United States alone. Furthermore, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), around one-fourth of all truck accidents involve another vehicle in the truck’s blind spot.

Tire Blowout Accidents

A tire blowout truck accident occurs when one or more of the tires on the truck suddenly burst while the vehicle is on the road. This can happen due to factors such as overloading the truck, tire defects or damage, poor maintenance, or driving over hazardous objects on the road.

The sudden loss of control can cause the truck to swerve or veer into other lanes, collide with nearby vehicles, or even roll over. The debris from the blown tire can also be dangerous, potentially hitting other vehicles or causing drivers to lose control.

Rear-End Accidents

A rear-end truck accident occurs when a truck collides with the back of another vehicle, or a passenger vehicle collides with a truck. This type of accident is commonly attributed to the large size and weight of trucks, which make it difficult for them to stop quickly or maneuver in tight spaces. Rear-end truck accidents can result in severe damage to both vehicles involved and often lead to significant injuries or fatalities.

Rear-end truck accidents can have devastating consequences. The force of impact from a truck striking the back of a smaller vehicle can cause severe whiplash injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, head trauma, and even death. If a passenger vehicle slams into the back of a truck that is slow-moving or stopped, it could result in severe injuries and even death.

Head-On Accidents

A head-on truck accident refers to a collision between two vehicles where the front ends of both trucks collide directly, resulting in a violent and potentially devastating impact. It typically occurs on two-lane roads or highways when two trucks traveling in opposite directions drift into the wrong lane, often due to driver distraction, impairment, fatigue, or a lack of attention to road conditions.

Head-on truck accidents can lead to catastrophic consequences due to the size, weight, and force involved in such collisions. Trucks are substantially larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road, which magnifies the impact and increases the likelihood of severe injuries or fatalities.

Brake Failure Accidents

A brake failure truck accident is when a commercial truck or semi-truck experiences a failure in its braking system, resulting in an inability to stop or slow down effectively. This type of accident can have severe consequences due to commercial truck size, weight, and momentum. When a truck’s brakes fail, it can lead to devastating collisions, property damage, serious injuries, or even fatalities.

A brake failure truck accident can be particularly dangerous on highways, where trucks travel at high speeds and require ample time and distance to slow down or come to a complete stop. The lack of control over the truck’s speed can make it difficult for the driver to avoid obstacles, navigate curves, or stop in time to prevent a collision. Moreover, the impact of a truck that fails to brake properly is significantly greater, often leading to more severe damages and injuries than accidents involving smaller vehicles.

Spilled Cargo Accidents

A spilled cargo truck accident refers to an incident involving a large commercial truck, such as a tractor-trailer, that is carrying goods or cargo and experiences a mishap resulting in the cargo being spilled onto the roadway or surrounding area. This type of accident can occur due to various factors, including mechanical failure, driver error, adverse weather conditions, or collisions with other vehicles or objects.

When a cargo truck is involved in a spilled cargo accident, the cargo being transported can be released or scattered all over the road, posing a threat to the safety of motorists, pedestrians, and the environment. The spilled cargo can range from relatively harmless materials, such as food products, to hazardous substances, such as chemicals or flammable materials, which can have severe consequences if not handled properly.

Contact Torgenson Law for a Free Consultation

Being involved in an accident with many different types of truck accidents can be traumatizing. However, having an accident with a tractor-trailer truck can cause severe injuries and even death to you or a family member. While all crashes can be severe, truck accidents notoriously cause heinous injuries and catastrophic property damage.

Having the right law firm on your side is important when going up against the trucking company’s insurance company. Many of these companies retain large law firms to represent them and their drivers. That’s why Arizona drivers need the very best legal representation to get them the compensation they deserve for their injuries and damages.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, reach out to us for a free and confidential evaluation of your case. We’ve represented Arizona drivers in all types of accidents over the years, and our truck accident lawyers work directly with you to build a persuasive claim for compensation.

Remember, we don’t get paid unless we get you a monetary judgment for your injuries and damages. Call us today for a case review at 602-726-0747 or reach out online, and we will get started on your claim for compensation for your damages.

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