Truck accidents can have devastating consequences, and they are unfortunately common on the roads of Connecticut. For those who have been involved in such incidents, the aftermath often includes severe injuries, significant property damage, and even fatalities. Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, the accidents they cause tend to be much more catastrophic than typical car accidents. If you’ve been in a truck accident, understanding the different types of collisions can help you make sense of what happened and who might be held accountable. Read on and reach out to a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer from Casper & de Toledo to learn more.
The Eight Most Common Types of Truck Accidents
The eight most common types of commercial truck accidents are as follows:
- Jackknife Accidents: In a jackknife accident, the trailer of a truck swings out to one side, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab. This typically happens when a truck driver brakes suddenly, causing the trailer to lose traction and slide. Jackknife accidents are particularly dangerous because they often involve multiple vehicles as the truck’s trailer sweeps across lanes of traffic, leaving little time for other drivers to react. Wet or icy road conditions can further increase the likelihood of this type of accident.
- Rollover Accidents: A rollover occurs when a truck flips onto its side or roof. This type of accident can happen due to high-speed turns, improper loading of cargo, or overcorrecting in a panic situation. Trucks are especially susceptible to rollovers because of their high center of gravity. These accidents are not only life-threatening for the truck driver but also for nearby vehicles. A truck that rolls over can crush smaller cars or block several lanes of traffic, leading to massive pile-ups.
- Rear-End Collisions: Trucks require a much longer stopping distance than smaller vehicles. If a truck driver is distracted, fatigued, or following too closely, they may not be able to stop in time, resulting in a rear-end collision. These accidents can be deadly, especially if the truck crashes into the rear of a small passenger vehicle. The force of impact from a large truck can cause severe injuries, even in what would otherwise be considered a minor fender-bender with another car.
- Underride Accidents: Perhaps one of the most terrifying types of truck accidents, underride collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck. This can happen during sudden stops or if the truck is making an improper or poorly timed turn. The low clearance of trailers often means that the top of the smaller vehicle is sheared off, making these accidents frequently fatal for the passengers of the car. Federal regulations require trucks to have underride guards, but these are not always sufficient to prevent such accidents.
- T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions: Side-impact collisions, also known as T-bone accidents, occur when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. In the context of truck accidents, this often happens at intersections when a truck fails to stop for a red light or stop sign. The impact can cause significant damage to the vehicle that gets struck, and because trucks are so large, the force of the collision can be devastating. T-bone accidents frequently result in serious injuries or fatalities, particularly if the collision occurs on the side of the car where the passengers are seated.
- Wide-Turn Accidents: Trucks often need extra space to make turns, particularly right-hand turns. When a truck driver misjudges the amount of space needed, they may swing the cab wide into another lane, pinning or hitting another vehicle. These types of accidents usually occur in urban areas with narrower streets and can be avoided if truck drivers are cautious and aware of their surroundings. However, even a minor miscalculation during a turn can lead to serious damage and injuries for unsuspecting drivers.
- Improper Parking: Increased truck traffic creates excess demand for overnight and off-duty parking. As a consequence, tractor-trailers have been left illegally parked on highway shoulders or pulled off the roadway with the need to re-enter the highway. Both circumstances create a danger to motorists legally using the highway – particularly at night. These circumstances posed a serious risk of underride crashes.
- Left-Turning Trucks: Think about it. A tractor trailer driver decides to make a left turn at an intersection or crossing one or two lanes of a highway. It should not occur. Other motorists have a limited ability to perceive and react to the slow turning vehicle and the action of the truck driver seriously escalates to danger to other motorists. The truck driver has the option of three right turns to place the truck in position to reduce the risk to others.
Each of these types of truck accidents poses unique challenges for victims seeking compensation. From understanding the causes of the crash to determining liability, working with an experienced personal injury attorney can make all the difference in navigating the complex legal landscape. If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident, it’s crucial to speak with a Connecticut personal injury lawyer who can guide you through the process and fight for your rights.
