Thursday, February 25, 2016

Common Types of 18-Wheeler Accidents



The weight and size of commercial trucks pose safety hazards for other vehicles sharing the road with them.

A truck can weigh anywhere close to 80,000 pounds and are not easily maneuverable as compared to passenger vehicles. A collision between a truck and a small car can have a disastrous outcome. Statistics reveal that a driver of a passenger car is 70% more likely to be killed in an accident with a large truck than in an accident with a car.

The type of truck accident is dependent on the circumstances surrounding the accident site. The seriousness of the accident and the severity of injuries sustained also depend on the type of accident.

Some accidents result in minor injuries, whereas there are others which can cause debilitating and life altering injuries and even death.

Types of Truck Accidents include the following:

Jack-Knife Accidents

This type of accident happens when the brake of the drive axle of the tractor-trailer locks up causing the trailer to start skidding. The skidding of the trailer stops only when the tractor and the trailer are at a 90-degree angle. During this skid, the driver does not have any control over the truck and any vehicle which gets stuck in the 90-degree angle can get dragged along. The truck, generally, tends to roll over after it comes to a stop.

Roll-Over Accidents

A truck rolling over its side or roof can have disastrous consequences for the truck driver as well as the occupants of any other vehicle getting stuck under the truck. A truck may roll over due to various factors such as high speed, sudden braking, steep incline or decline, taking a turn too fast, tripping over a curb, an obstruction on the road, or attempting to correct a drifting truck.

Rear-End Collisions

Large trucks, due to their large size and heavy weight, require a much larger distance to come to a complete stop after the application of the brakes. If the driver has miscalculated the distance, the truck can end up hitting the rear end of the vehicle in front.

Under-Ride Collision

This happens when a smaller vehicle crashes into a truck from behind or the side. Due to the size difference, the smaller vehicle can get stuck under the truck causing severe head injuries to the driver and passengers of the car, which may be fatal.

Road Construction Accidents

A truck driver may face difficulty in maneuvering a truck through a construction zone. An accident like a collision or a roll-over is extremely hazardous for the construction crew and small vehicle getting stuck in the way of the truck.

Contact the Texas Truck Accident Lawyers at Miller Weisbrod
If you or a loved one has been involved in an accident with 18-Wheeler semi-truck, seek help from the experienced Texas truck accident lawyers of Miller Weisbrod. We can help you receive compensation for your medical expenses, damages incurred, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact us today at (214)987-0005, or if you are outside the DFW area, call (888) 987-0005.

0 comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.