When an accident occurs between an automobile and a massive commercial truck, the results can be devastating. Regardless of the type of truck accident, if you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you should be entitled to compensation for your losses. You could potentially seek recovery for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
The following is a look at some of the most common types of truck accidents:
- Rollover accidents: There are several different scenarios that can result in a rollover truck accident. Speeding, steep declines/inclines, hitting a curb or another object on the road, going around a curve too fast, or attempting to correct a drifting trailer can all result in a rollover. Some of these instances can be attributed to negligence by the truck driver or another party.
- Jackknife accidents: Jackknife accidents happen when a tractor trailer’s brakes lock, causing the trailer to slide out, causing the trailer to swing out at an angle. The truck driver can lose control of the vehicle, leading to a rollover accident.
- Underride accidents: Underride accidents can occur when a smaller vehicle hits the back of a tractor trailer and travels underneath the it. All trucks should have underride protectors, but often these devices fail to prevent an underride accident. This is among the most severe of all truck crashes.
- Rear end accidents: Trucks require considerable distance to come to a complete stop. If a truck driver fails to realize how much distance is required to stop or if a sudden stop is required, the truck could ram into the back of an automobile, often seriously crushing the car.
- Brake failure accidents: Brake related accidents on trucks can occur as a result of poor maintenance, a manufacturer defect, improper installation, or due to the age of the brakes. Trucks are at high risk of brake failure due to the immense heat generated by stopping a large truck.
- Blind spot accidents: Trucks have several blind spots or “no zones.” All drivers should be aware of a truck’s blind spots so that they can be sure not to travel for extended periods of time within them. Generally, if you cannot see the truck driver, he or she cannot see you. Stay away from the sides of a truck and the area immediately behind it.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact a truck accident attorney as soon as possible in order to preserve evidence. Your attorney can also fight to see that you obtain compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.
