In this post, we will discuss the 6 Types of Truck Accidents and How To Avoid Them. Truck accidents are one of the most dangerous types of traffic crashes. They often lead to severe injuries and fatalities because of the weight and size of the truck. So, what causes truck accidents? Well, a variety of things, including speed and blind spots.
6 Types of Truck Accidents and How To Avoid Them
No matter the cause, you’re entitled to compensation if someone’s negligence caused the truck accident. We’ve asked the experts at MayFirm.com to give us an outline of the types of truck accidents and how to avoid them. Read on to learn all you need to know about truck accident types.
1. Tire Blowout Truck Accidents
Tire blowout truck accidents are one of the most common truck crashes. Such an accident happens for a variety of reasons. For one, it can happen because of worn-out tires from excessive use. Such tires are susceptible to losing pressure when they encounter debris on the road causing a blowout.
Other causes of blowout accidents are dangerous road conditions and unbalanced cargo. Truck drivers can avoid a blowout crash by properly maintaining the vehicle. You can protect yourself by driving alongside a truck for only as long as necessary. Flying debris from a blowout can hit your car, causing a crash.
2. Underride Truck Accidents
A passenger may crash into a truck and slide under it. That’s called an underride truck accident. Underride accidents are possible because trucks are typically higher than passenger cars.
Such truck accidents often cause severe injuries and deaths. Fatalities are a common consequence of truck accidents. In 2020, about 4,842 trucks got into accidents that led to fatalities.
Many trucks have an underride guard; a metal barrier prevents smaller cars from going under a truck.
3. Rollover Truck Accidents
Rollover truck accidents happen when a truck overturns. A major cause of rollover accidents is driver error. That includes driving while tired, distracted, speeding, and more. Rollovers also happen because of swerving suddenly and improperly loaded cargo. Another cause is a failure to maintain the truck properly.
Many rollover truck accidents are preventable. That’s especially true since the leading cause of the crash is driver error. Truck drivers should ensure they’re alert when driving to avoid rollover accidents. They should also:
*Slow down when turning a corner
*Ensure the vehicle is in proper condition
*Ensure cargo is well secured
*Have proper training
4. Unsecured Cargo Truck Accidents
Unsecured cargo can cause truck accidents in a variety of ways. If the load is loose, it can move around, disrupting the truck’s balance. In doing so, it can cause a rollover accident.
The cargo may also spill on the road. Other drivers would have to maneuver around the debris. Alternatively, a spill could cause slippery roads and visibility problems. All these things make for dangerous road conditions.
It would be best to secure any load firmly on a truck to make it immobile. Those loading the cargo should use the proper restraints. The type of restraints used will depend on the type and weight of the load and truck.
5. Lane Switching Truck Accidents
Trucks have huge blind spots. So, if truck driver isn’t careful when changing lanes, they can cause accidents. Truck drivers must get training on safe driving. Training usually includes how to deal with blind spots to avoid accidents.
You should keep a reasonable distance between your vehicle and any truck ahead of you. You’ll have time to slow down and avoid a lane-switching accident.
6. Jackknife Truck Accidents
Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s cab and trailer fold at the joint. Some causes of such an accident are:
*Speeding
*Loose cargo
*Improper maneuvering
A truck driver can prevent a jackknife accident by slowing down before a turn. They should also brake over a longer distance.
Parting Shot
The consequences of truck accidents are devastating. Victims may suffer severe injuries like amputation, brain injury, and severe burns. Luckily, by learning about different types of truck accidents, you can know how to identify a problem while on the road. In doing so, you might be able to avoid a crash.
I hope you learned something from my blog post about the 6 Types of Truck Accidents and How To Avoid Them. Do you have anything you want to add? Please leave me a comment below!