4 Types of Truck Accidents and Their Dangerous Causes
Recent studies from the National Safety Council reveal that California ranked second in the US for deaths involving large truck accidents.
There were 416 deaths from large truck accidents in California, accounting for close to ten percent of all truck accident deaths in the US.
Truck accidents are oftentimes more deadly than other types of vehicular accidents simply due to the size of the trucks involved. There are four common types of truck accidents more frequent with larger trucks:
Rollover
A rollover accident occurs when a large truck crashes and winds up on its side. The truck can crush other cars under the trailer after collapsing.
Over half of all large truck occupants were killed in rollovers.
Jackknife
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer pushes the front of the vehicle to its side, or even curves it, forcing it to face backwards.
A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration showed there were over 100,000 injury inducing jackknifing accidents.
Wide-turn
It’s well-known that trucks are much larger than most other vehicles on the road. If a truck swings too wildly when turning, another car may crash into its side.
Wide-turns should be proceeded with extra caution, especially for novice truck drivers.
Losing a trailer
Many trucks, especially semis, transport goods with an attached trailer. Sometimes, the trailer is disconnected from the truck.
A lost trailer can come barreling into other vehicles. Additionally, another car following close behind the truck may not have enough time to react after a trailer comes loose.
There are many potential causes for truck accidents. Some of the most frequent causes include:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Inclement weather
- Distracted driving
- Improper lane changes
- Drowsy driving
Truck accidents can lead to other serious injuries, including:
- Broken bones
- Frequent pain (back, neck, etc.)
- Internal bleeding or organ damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Cuts deep enough to wound or tear muscle and nerves
- Concussions or other traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
- Death
If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. A claim for a personal injury is oftentimes dependent on fault in the accident.
Determining fault can be tricky, but proper evidence such as videos or photos and witness testimonies can aid you. Additionally, the type of accident can often help determine fault.
For example, a negligent truck driver making a wide-turn at a spot the driver knows is risky is an example of negligence. It’s also a helpful hint at why there may have been an accident.
Just like others on the road, truck driver’s need to provide the utmost duty of care to protect nearby drivers. In fact, truck drivers can even be held at a higher standard due to the size of the vehicles they operate.
If you were injured in one of the four types of potential truck accidents, or any other crash involving a large truck, you should consider contacting a Los Angeles personal injury attorney.
The truck accident injury lawyers at C&B Law Group have helped a large number of clients across Southern California, in areas such as:
- Los Angeles
- Fresno
- Bakersfield
- Long Beach
- Burbank
- Glendale
Truck accident victims may be eligible to recover damages for their injuries, including:
- Medical bills and other medical expenses related to the accident injury
- Lost wages stemming from the inability to work after the injury
- Pain and suffering related to the injury
In certain situations, an attorney may seek punitive damages. These specific types of damages cannot be recovered on their own.
The LA truck accident lawyers at C&B Law Group have decades of combined experience helping clients with honesty and transparency in communication. Our group of lawyers will fight within our legal power to bring you justice.
Truck accidents can be extremely debilitating. Your injuries can leave you feeling trapped and alone.
C&B Law Group will work by your side to help bring you peace of mind.
While nothing can replace time lost due to an injury, we vow to hopefully reduce the stress from medical debt or other financial burdens. It’s one of the reasons we work on a contingency basis, meaning you won’t owe us attorney fees until your case is settled.
Contact our team today to learn more about a free consultation.
