Types of Trucking Accidents

There are many different types of trucking accidents that can lead to serious personal injury or even wrongful death.  Types of truck accidents often vary depending upon the truck driver themselves, the trucking equipment, and the ability of the driver to react.     

Air Brake Accidents

Malfunctioning air brakes can cause a truck accident.  In this case, often when traveling downhill, a truck’s air brakes fail, preventing the truck from coming to a stop.  Due to the stress put on the air brakes by such a heavy vehicle, truck brakes should be regularly checked.

Blind Spot Accidents

Truck drivers often have trouble seeing smaller vehicles as they drive.  Blind spots in 18 wheelers are very large, making lane changes difficult for drivers.  Truckers must be aware of their blind spots in order to avoid an accident.

Head-On Collisions

Truck drivers are under significant pressure to deliver their goods as quickly as possible.  Unfortunately, truck drivers often become reckless in their pursuit of speed.  Head-on collisions can lead to serious personal injury or wrongful death.   

Jack-Knife Accidents

Jack-knife accidents occur with an 18 wheeler trailer swings outward during an accident, triggering the cab of the truck to turn to the trailer.  The trailer folds at an angle, thus giving the name “jack-knife.”  Many jack-knife accidents are caused by quick braking.

Lost Load Accidents

One of the most important responsibilities of a truck driver is properly securing a load.  Drivers are responsible for routinely checking the status of their load to make sure that it remains secure.  Unfortunately, when truck drivers fail to check loads, serious truck accidents can occur.  

Rear End Accidents

When an 18 wheeler rear ends a passenger vehicle, it creates a potential for serious personal injury and often wrongful death.  It takes longer to stop an 18 wheeler than it does to stop a passenger vehicle.  If a truck driver is fatigued and/or distracted the chances of a rear end accident can increase.

Rollover Accidents

Truck rollovers can occur when trucks are traveling at a high or low rate of speed.  When truck tires fail to properly grip the road, the truck can lose control and slide sideways, causing a rollover.  

Side Impact (T-Bone) Accidents

A T-bone accident can occur when a car or truck is attempting to change lanes and merges into a lane occupied by another vehicle.  As a result of the size of an 18 wheeler, T-bone accidents with these vehicles can result in serious personal injury or even wrongful death.

Turning Accidents

Because of the size of an 18 wheeler, truck drivers must be patient and cautious when making a turn.  Since drivers often make deliveries in high traffic areas, the driver must make sure that he/she has enough time to complete the turn without causing an accident.  When a truck driver is in a hurry and makes an inadvisable turn, it often leads to serious personal injury and even wrongful death.  

Under-Ride Accidents

When an 18 wheeler quickly slams on its brakes smaller cars traveling behind the truck can continue moving forward and travel beneath the rear of the trailer.  These types of under-ride accidents can often lead to serious personal injury and even wrongful death.

If you have been injured in an 18 wheeler trucking accident, learn about your legal rights from an experienced Louisiana 18 wheeler trucking collision injury lawyer by calling 504-581-4892 or by filling out our free, no obligation case review form.