Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents

When talking about the common types of commercial truck accidents, it’s important to understand just how many different circumstances can lead to crashes involving large trucks. These aren’t your everyday fender benders, which means understanding these everyday dangers can help you stay vigilant on the road and help you take the right legal steps if you’ve been injured.

Why These Cases Are So Complicated

Trucking is the lifeblood of America. In 2022, roughly 70% of American freight was transported by truck. This volume of truck traffic resulted in injuries to over 76,000 people, with overloaded trucks causing 65% of all fatal accidents.

Unlike typical car accidents, commercial truck accident claims often involve a complicated web of legal, technical, and regulatory issues. Some factors that make these cases difficult to navigate include:

• Multiple liable parties
• Federal and state regulations
• Extensive evidence requirements
• Complex insurance policies
• Need for expert testimony
• High stakes and aggressive defense

Navigating a commercial truck accident case requires strategy, resources, and a deep understanding of federal and state trucking laws. Victims need a commercial truck accident attorney who can unravel this complexity, fight back against powerful opponents, and pursue the maximum compensation possible.

Common Types of Commercial Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents come in many forms, each presenting unique dangers and legal challenges. No matter how they’re caused, truck accidents can lead to serious injuries, property damage, and complex litigation.

Understanding the most frequent types of commercial truck accidents can help victims and their families recognize what happened and why they need legal representation. Some of the most common types of commercial truck accidents include:

• Jackknife accidents. These occur when the trailer of a truck swings out at an angle from the cab, usually during sudden braking or when driving on slippery roads. These accidents often lead to multi-vehicle crashes and highway blockages.
• Rollover accidents. These happen when a truck tips onto its side or onto its roof, and they are often caused by speeding, overcorrecting, or improper cargo loading. Rollovers are especially dangerous on curves and in high-wind conditions.
• Underride collisions. These take place when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer, and they frequently cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities. These accidents highlight the importance of proper underride guards and visibility.
• Rear-end collisions. These happen when a truck crashes into the back of a smaller vehicle, typically because of inadequate stopping distance. Because of the force involved, these crashes can cause severe spinal or head injuries.
• Wide turn accidents. These result from trucks swinging wide to complete right or left turns. These maneuvers can trap or crush vehicles in adjacent lanes if the driver isn’t properly trained or aware of their surroundings.
• Blind spot accidents. Also called no-zone accidents, these happen when a truck changes lanes or merges when another vehicle is driving in its blind spots. The risk is especially high on crowded highways.
• Tire blowouts. A sudden blowout can make a truck lose control or scatter debris across multiple lanes, which can create dangerous conditions for other drivers.
• Cargo-related accidents. These happen when improperly loaded or unsecured cargo shifts or spills, leading to balance issues, rollovers, or road obstructions. Hazardous material spills can also escalate injuries and create environmental disasters.

Each kind of truck accident brings its own set of risks and legal complications. However, identifying what caused your crash is the first step toward building a strong case. If you’ve been involved in any of these scenarios, an experienced commercial truck accident attorney can investigate the circumstances and guide you through the claims process. The sooner you understand what went wrong, the sooner you can pursue justice.

Hire a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer

Navigating the aftermath of a commercial truck crash can be a legal minefield. This is because multiple parties could share liability, including drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, and even parts manufacturers. It could be tempting to try and handle the situation alone, but you could face lowball settlement offers, or you could even be blamed outright for the accident.

When you hire a commercial truck accident lawyer, you benefit from someone who understands how to analyze driver logs, how to obtain black box data, and how to apply complex trucking regulations to strengthen your claim. Your lawyer can also shield you from aggressive insurance adjusters and can make sure that all evidence is preserved before it’s lost or destroyed.

FAQs

Can I File a Claim if the Truck Was Carrying Hazardous Materials That Worsened My Injuries?

Yes, you can file a claim if exposure to hazardous materials contributed to your injuries. These types of commercial truck accident cases often involve additional layers of liability. In addition to the truck driver or carrier, the shipper, cargo loader, and even the manufacturer of the hazardous materials could be held responsible. Claims could include strict liability if the cargo is inherently dangerous.

What if the Truck Driver Is Under the Influence of Prescription Drugs?

If the driver was under the influence of prescription drugs, that could significantly strengthen your commercial truck accident lawsuit. FMCSA regulations prohibit drivers from using substances that affect their ability to safely operate a commercial vehicle, even if those drugs are legally prescribed. Toxicology reports, driver logs, and medical records can be used to prove impairment.

Can I File a Claim Against a Maintenance Company That Services the Truck?

Yes, you can file a claim against a maintenance company that services the truck. Third-party maintenance providers can be held liable in commercial truck accident cases if poor servicing contributed to the crash. These claims require a thorough investigation, which can include service records, repair logs, and testimony from mechanical experts.

Is There a Difference Between Filing a Claim Against a Local Trucking Company Versus a National Carrier?

Yes, there’s a major difference between filing a claim against a local trucking company versus a national carrier. National carriers are typically governed by broader federal regulations, and they could have more extensive insurance coverage. Your strategy could differ depending on the carrier’s size, fleet maintenance standards, and safety record.

Experience Matters — Choose Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC

At Blake Jones Law Firm, LLC, we bring over 50 years of legal experience to every case we handle, and our attorneys have earned prestigious national awards for their legal excellence, client advocacy, and case results. We’ve helped countless clients throughout Louisiana recover the compensation they deserve in even the most challenging commercial truck accident cases.

Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.