Commercial trucks are among the riskiest vehicles on the road, and their occupants are more likely to have fatal or serious injuries than those in smaller vehicles. Several things might result in truck accidents. It can take larger trucks twice as long to stop as smaller cars, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision.

Underride Accidents

Truck accidents can be extremely traumatic, but underride truck collisions are especially deadly. Because trailers are so high off the ground, when a car rear-ends a truck, it can slide under the trailer and become lodged there, potentially crushing the vehicle’s front end. These deadly collisions account for 70 percent of all truck accident fatalities. Several factors contribute to underride crashes, including tailgating, distracted driving and poor visibility caused by weather conditions. Regardless of the cause, these collisions can lead to catastrophic injuries for passengers in the vehicle’s front seat and often result in decapitation. An Austin truck accident lawyer will recommend your legal options for pursuing compensation. You might need to discuss compensation with several organizations simultaneously because several parties might be involved. Another type of truck accident is an override collision, which occurs when a truck drives over the back of a passenger vehicle. It typically happens when truck drivers fail to check their blind spots or change lanes safely. Hundreds of people die from these senseless tragedies each year. Better safety technology could prevent these accidents.

Rollover Accidents

Trucks are common on our nation’s roadways, transporting cargo to and from points across the country. Trucks are more likely to roll over in some circumstances than passenger cars because of their larger center of gravity. It may occur due to driver negligence, such as speeding or driving while tired, as well as improper braking and shifting of cargo. Truck accidents can also result from unsecured or spilled cargo. Whether the materials are hazardous or not, a displaced load can create dangerous conditions for motorists in other lanes of traffic and lead to multi-car pile-ups.

Other truck accident types include T-bone collisions, rear-end accidents, and head-on collisions. When a truck driver passes a stop sign or red light, they are said to have “T-boned” another vehicle in front of them and created a “T”-shaped collision. A serious crash can cause significant injuries and major property damage. The Batrice Law Firm can do a complete analysis of your case, locate the necessary evidence and credible witnesses, and decide the best course of action for obtaining the full compensation you are entitled to.

Wide Turn Accidents

Truck drivers often make wide turns, which are difficult for cars to navigate. These truck drivers may need help to use turn signals or carefully assess their surroundings. They can swing their trucks into oncoming traffic or otherwise veer across lanes of vehicles, leading to severe collisions with those vehicles. The shape and size of large trucks make them hard to maneuver in tight spaces. Truckers may turn their rigs into cars perpendicularly or t-bone them, injuring the people inside those vehicles. Drivers who are tired, inattentive, or impaired can also cause wide-turn accidents. The FMCSA recommends truckers signal their turns so nearby motorists know what to expect. They should also avoid taking bends at high speeds or in reverse. Their trailers can swing wide and create a dangerous jackknife accident if they do not. The resulting crash can crush cars and cause severe injuries to occupants of those vehicles. It can also damage property and injure pedestrians.

Rear-End Accidents

Truck drivers often cause rear-end collisions when they follow vehicles too closely or fail to react to the slowing or stopping of the car in front of them. These collisions can be disastrous for everyone involved because of the enormous size disparity between trucks and typical passenger cars. Trucks cannot make the same tight turns as cars, so truck drivers need more time and space to swerve or stop behind other vehicles. If they drive too fast for the conditions or attempt turns too sharply, their trailers may roll over, crushing other cars on the road. Due to the force of the crash, rear-end victims may also suffer neck and back injuries, including herniated discs. These can lead to chronic, debilitating pain and even paralysis in severe cases. They may also sustain rib fractures, broken arms and hands, and soft tissue damage like whiplash. Numerous of these injuries necessitate ongoing medical attention and therapy.