Every year, thousands of truck accidents injure and kill occupants in smaller passenger vehicles. These accidents occur for various reasons, and different parties may be responsible for them.
Here are some of the most common types of commercial truck accidents:
Rear-End Accidents
A rear-end accident occurs when a vehicle’s front hits the back of another vehicle. Truck drivers may cause rear-end accidents when they:
- Follow too closely
- Speed
- Are distracted
- Fail to brake in time
- Do not fix broken tail lights
- Fail to yield the right-of-way
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when a trucker suddenly brakes, causing the cab to continue in its original direction while the trailer slides down the road at an angle, like a closing pocket knife. This action can cause the trailer to crash into vehicles in adjoining lanes, cargo to fall off the truck, and other vehicles to run off the road to avoid a collision.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents involve a smaller car sliding underneath a commercial truck, often resulting in the vehicle getting crushed or its roof sheared off. These crashes often cause fatalities, spinal cord injuries, head injuries, and neck injuries.
Rollover Accidents
Any time a truck completes a quarter rotation during a crash, it is considered a rollover accident. Sometimes, the truck may turn onto its side or roof. These accidents can result in serious injuries to the occupants of the passenger vehicle, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Fractures
Wide Turn Accidents
Commercial trucks are much larger than standard passenger vehicles, requiring them to take up much more space when turning. Wide-turn accidents occur when truck drivers fail to check their blind spots or encroach on an adjacent lane while navigating a turn.
Brake Failure Accidents
The FMCSA reported that brake problems were coded for almost 30 percent of the trucks in a crash causation study. Commercial trucks must be properly maintained so they do not suffer from mechanical failure during a critical moment. These vehicles travel thousands of miles in a short period of time, requiring additional maintenance work and constant inspections. Failing to meet these requirements can result in brake problems so that a truck driver cannot stop their vehicle in time to avoid a deadly crash.
Tire Blowout Accidents
You may have seen large pieces of tire tread on the side of the road. This is probably from tires from trucks. These trucks have 18 wheels and travel thousands of miles, resulting in significant wear and tear to tires. When trucks are not properly maintained, tires can blow out. During these events, truck drivers can lose control of their vehicles and crash into other motorists.
Cargo Spill Accidents
When cargo is overloaded or not properly loaded, it can fall off and into the path of other motorists, causing dangerous crashes. It can also shift the weight in the truck, leading to imbalance, increasing the possibility of the truck rolling over or jackknifing.
Contact Caruso Law Offices for a Free Consultation
At Caruso Law Offices, our Albuquerque semi accident attorneys have extensive experience handling all types of truck accidents throughout New Mexico. We can conduct an in-depth investigation into the crash and gather evidence to establish how it happened and who is responsible for it. We can advise you of your legal rights and options during a free case review. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation today.