Commercial trucking is an essential business that keeps our country running. Since it is essential, though, truck drivers sometimes feel immense pressure to get their shipments to the destination in as little time as possible. Even though there are laws to ensure drivers are taking time off in between long hours of hauling, sometimes they still end up driving while exhausted, distracted, or worse.
When large trucks collide with other trucks and regular-sized motor vehicles, the injuries and damages caused can be serious, or worse. Commercial truck accidents can easily turn fatal—of those who die in crashes between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, 96% of those people were in the passenger vehicles, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). When the collision isn’t fatal, the injuries that you endure can be debilitating and change your life.
You shouldn’t have to deal with your injuries and the financial complexities following an accident that wasn’t your fault. Having a Murphysboro truck accident lawyer from Prince Law Firm on your side will help you fight for your rights and recover the compensation that you deserve. First, let’s look at the different types of truck accidents that commonly happen.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Whether you’re driving on more rural roads, streets in the city, or on highways, you’ll likely see a commercial truck driving alongside you at some point. Truck drivers are specially trained and follow limits set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for how long they can drive in one day—11 hours of driving and 10 consecutive hours off. Even though they have these regulations in place, they can still make mistakes that lead to negligent and reckless driving.
Here are some of the common types of truck accidents that can happen when a trucker is drowsy, distracted, or driving aggressively, or when a part on their truck malfunctions:
- Jackknife. This kind of accident is classified by the shape that the rig makes. A jackknife is when the cab and trailer form a 90-degree angle, or an L-shape, which can happen when a truck brakes too hard or the trailer is overloaded. Although fatalities from these types of accidents are less than one percent, they are still dangerous for truckers and other drivers alike.
- Rollover. When regular sized vehicles roll over, we know it can be a dangerous scenario. When a tractor trailer rolls over, which is much larger and heavier than a regular vehicle, it can be deadly for everyone involved. Just under 7 percent of fatal truck crashes are rollovers, which is when the rig overturns.
- Override or underride. When a commercial truck rear-ends or merges into a smaller vehicle, or when a smaller vehicle rear-ends a large truck, that’s when an override or underride accident can occur. These accidents can be dangerous because the drivers and passengers of the smaller vehicles can easily become trapped or crushed by the truck.
- Blind spot. Large trucks have blind spots surrounding their rigs where they are unable to see smaller vehicles. If a car is in their blind spot, they can collide with them when they try to switch lanes or when they brake too quickly.
- Lost truck load. When the goods in a trailer are not loaded correctly, they can shift while a trucker is driving. This can cause the trailer to open and spill its contents onto the road or onto the other vehicles on the road.
If you’ve been involved in any of the above truck accidents, or one that wasn’t listed, you could benefit from legal representation. Prince Law Firm is based in Marion, but we have a Murphysboro truck accident lawyer who could help you with your case.
What Causes Truck Accidents?
When you’re driving around large trucks in a regular-sized vehicle, it’s important to know what causes the different truck accidents that you saw above. A study done by the FMCSA lists some of the most common reasons that commercial truck accidents happen with regular-sized vehicles so that you can be more aware:
- Block in traffic flow
- Unfamiliar with route
- Distraction from an object inside vehicle
- Speeding
- Inattention to surroundings
- Drowsiness
- Sickness
- Part malfunction
It’s important to note that truck drivers are not always the person at fault for a large truck accident. Sometimes, the trucking company is at fault for not checking the rig properly, or for knowingly installing a defective part. Other times, the truck manufacturer is at fault because they distributed a product that is not up to par. And even still, sometimes the driver of the passenger vehicle is at fault for driving recklessly around the tractor trailer, drunk driving, or for plenty of other reasons.
A Murphysboro Truck Accident Lawyer Will Investigate Your Claim
You might have questions about what caused your accident with a tractor trailer. That’s where a Murphysboro truck accident lawyer from Prince Law Firm can help you. We will fully investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident so we get to the truth of the matter. By understanding exactly what happened in your crash, we can more effectively build your case and help you get justice.
We know how hard a truck accident can be on you and your family. Your injuries could completely change your life, but the financial aspect of your accident shouldn’t have to. With our help, you’ll be able to recover the proper monetary compensation for your injuries, damages, and any other aspect of your case that caused a financial burden, like lost wages from missed work. Reach out to our office today so we can begin discussing your potential claim.
