Most Common Truck Accidents

December 10, 2018 | Truck Accidents

There are many different ways that an accident can happen, but the most common truck accidents are caused by speeding and driving under the influence. Thousands of drivers are killed every year in truck accidents and even more are hospitalized because of their injuries. If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident, you likely have countless questions running through your mind. Consulting a truck accident lawyer can help you determine if you have a valid claim, provide you with a plan to get the results you want, and put your mind at ease knowing that your truck accident case is adequately represented.

Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck drivers are required to work long hours that allow for very little time to rest. If a driver is fatigued, this can be hazardous to other drivers on the road. When a person is running on low levels of sleep this can cause them to think irrationally, become easily distracted, or even fall asleep behind the wheel while driving – all of which can cause severe accidents. According to the American Trucking Association, however, truck accidents that are caused by fatigue are largely unreported, with only 7 percent of reported accidents citing driver fatigue as the cause. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents that are reported include:

  • Driving under the influence
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Improper use of signals
  • Driving with an unmaintained truck

Truck drivers must follow strict state and federal regulations and rules when on the road. If you have been in an accident that was caused by a truck driver, understand that you could be eligible to recover damages from the driver and the company their employer. If you are interested in recovering the maximum amount of compensation for your case, it’s critical to collect evidence, call the police and get your lawyer involved as soon as possible.

Most Common Types of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents aren’t a rare occurrence, but some types of accidents can be more severe than others. The average truck weighs 5 times more than the average passenger vehicle. If a truck hits a passenger vehicle, the outcome can be fatal or cause critical injuries. More often than not, the passenger vehicle occupant is the party that’s injured while the truck driver sustains minimal or no damage. The most common types of truck accidents that occur are:

  • Rear-end Accidents – large trucks take more time than the average vehicle to come to a complete stop, so if a truck driver isn’t paying attention, they could wind up rear-ending vehicles in front of them
  • Jackknife – if a truck driver isn’t careful and improperly packs cargo on their truck, or doesn’t perform a weight check before starting their trip, the weight of their truck could be imbalanced and cause them to “jackknife”
  • Rollovers – driving a large truck takes extreme concentration and alertness. If a driver is distracted or otherwise occupied while driving, they could lose control of their truck, causing it to roll over and harm other drivers
  • Turning Accidents – commercial trucks can take up to two lanes to turn. If a truck driver isn’t careful, they can hit other drivers or objects on the road

What To Do If You Are In A Truck Accident

All accidents are terrible, but truck accidents can be particularly difficult to deal with. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, based on the 60,000 people that were injured in accidents involving large trucks in 2009, there has been a 62 percent increase between 2009-2015. If you are one of the thousands of people that is injured in a truck accident every year, it’s crucial to know how to protect your rights. You should call the police, gather information, and get checked out by a physician. Your physician will file a medical report that details your injuries from the truck accident that will be useful when filing your claim. Lastly, you must call a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced lawyer can protect you from the truck driver’s large insurance company, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your case, and create a personalized plan for recovering damages.

Talk to a Truck Accident Lawyer About Your Case Today

If you aren’t careful after an accident, the at-fault driver, their insurance company, or the company their employer could take advantage of you during this difficult time. The truck driver’s insurer will likely try to get an immediate statement from you about the accident, which they’ll use to get you to accept a lower settlement. To prevent this, you must hire an experienced lawyer to represent your case. If you are ready to speak to a lawyer about your case, contact the Dixon Injury Firm today. Our Truck Accident Lawyers offer free consultations and are passionate about helping truck accident victims get justice for their case.