Types of Truck Accidents

Representing Victims of All Types of Truck Accidents

The type of truck accident you’re involved in can play a significant role in the injuries you sustain and determining liability in your case. Henderson, Nevada sees its fair share of tractor-trailers pass through the city as they travel across America along Interstate 15 and U.S. Route 95 between the Mexican and Canadian borders. As such, our firm is no stranger to truck accidents, the injuries they cause, and the lives they claim. While semi-trucks are a vital part of our nation’s commerce and economy, they often cause tremendous destruction when they crash.
Learn more about how the type of truck accident can impact your claim. Call the David Boehrer Law Firm at (702) 750-0750 for a free consultation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

When you’re hurt in a commercial trucking accident, multiple parties may be to blame. In some cases, the type of crash can help shed light on who should be held liable for your losses.

Blowouts

Bad tires are a leading reason why thousands of trucks are immediately pulled from service after getting stopped at checkpoints during annual roadside safety inspections. When a tire blows on the highway, the truck driver is apt to lose control of the rig, leading to a serious crash.  A blown-out truck tire itself can cause serious damage to a vehicle or cause an unexpected road hazard accident.
When bad tires cause a wreck, manufacturers, truckers, and trucking companies may be to blame.

  • Truck drivers are required to inspect their tires regularly, keep them properly inflated and replace them as needed.
  • Carriers should also ensure that the tires they are installing on their fleet are well-rated and not low-quality retreads, which can quickly shred to pieces at normal highway speeds.
  • Manufacturer defects can cause tires to separate, become too hot, or otherwise fail.

Underride Accidents

When a car is involved in a rear-end collision or side-impact crash with a tractor-trailer, the results can be catastrophic – even at relatively low speeds. Trailers sit much higher above the ground than passenger vehicles. When a car and tractor-trailer collide, a car can slide up under the trailer. As a result, the car’s roof can be crushed or may shear off completely, seriously injuring or killing the passengers inside.
Federal regulations require 18-wheelers to be equipped with guards that help prevent underride accidents. Unfortunately, these guards are often ineffective or are not installed at all. Congress is proposing new rules to require stronger rear and side underride guards, but it may be years before any change comes to pass. Meanwhile, truck underride accidents remain one of the most deadly forms of truck accidents.
When an underride accident causes injuries or deaths, the trucker and trucking company may be held liable for damages if the guards are missing or improperly fitted. If the guards fail, the manufacturer can be sued.

Jackknife Crashes

There are many braking options available to truckers, and applying the correct procedure is critical to a safe stop. When truck drivers encounter slippery road conditions or road hazards and they misapply the brakes, the front wheels on the tractor can lock up while the trailer continues its forward motion. In some cases, by the time the truck has come to a stop, the tractor and trailer are folded on themselves in a V-shape – like an opened pocket knife.
When a truck jackknifes, it often blocks multiple lanes of traffic, posing a serious risk to other motorists. If passenger vehicles slide under a jackknifed trailer, decapitation, fatal head injuries, or brain damage are likely to result.
There are multiple reasons a large truck might jackknife.

  • Trucker negligence: When a trucker is driving too fast or brakes improperly and causes a jackknife accident, he and the company he works for may be held liable.
  • Improper brake maintenance: When brakes are not properly maintained or adjusted, the axles can lock up. If a jackknife accident occurs, the trucking company and maintenance company can be held liable for losses.
  • Defective brakes: If defective brakes cause a jackknife accident, the manufacturer may be a liable party.

No-Zone Trucking Accidents

All cars have blind spots, and this is especially true for tractor-trailers. For large trucks, these blind spots are referred to as “no-zones.” According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), these no-zones are located in the following areas:

  • 30 feet behind a truck’s trailer
  • On the left side from the truck’s cab to about halfway of the trailer
  • On the right side next to the truck’s cab (if in the immediate right lane)
  • 20 feet in front of the truck’s cab

The FMSCA points out that if you cannot see the tractor-trailer’s driver, the driver cannot see you or your vehicle. If you are planning to pass a truck, it is a good idea to make sure the truck sees you before you attempt to pass.
Truckers who negligently change lanes without signaling and giving time for drivers to move out of the “no-zone” can cause serious accidents that result in spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injury.

Don’t Wait to Seek Legal Counsel

If you were hurt in an accident with a large truck, it is important to seek legal counsel as soon as possible. For a free consultation with an experienced Henderson, Nevada Truck Accident Lawyer, contact David Boehrer Law Firm at (702) 750-0750.