Temple

Common Types of Large Truck Accidents

Commercial vehicles are often involved in the most devastating accidents that occur on the highway. Due to their size alone, these vehicles can cause massive property damage and inflict severe injuries. There is no doubt that the trucking industry plays a vital role in the American economy, but their utility is matched by the danger that they pose to the vehicles around them.

The unique features of commercial trucks provide their utility, but they also make for unique types of accidents. Usually, an accident involving a commercial vehicle involves multiple vehicles; for example, a tractor-trailer may hit the car in front of it and as a result, its cargo unit may become detached and hit another vehicle. Below are some common types of large truck accidents.

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when a semi-truck driver brakes quickly and as a result, the cargo unit skids and forms a 90-degree angle with the tractor. Essentially, the tractor and the trailer stop moving in unison and start to go in different directions. This type of accident may block an entire road, and the consequences can be devastating.

Rear-end Collisions

Rear-end Collisions occur when a driver fails to stop in time, and as a result, they end up hitting the vehicle in front of them. Due to the size of commercial vehicles, a driver must begin breaking considerably earlier than common passenger vehicles. If the driver of a commercial vehicle fails to consider the additional time needed to slow down their commercial vehicle, then a rear-end collision is almost certain to occur.

Underride Accidents

Underride accidents are particularly terrifying because they involve smaller passenger vehicles being pinned underneath the larger commercial vehicle. This accident occurs when a commercial truck stops suddenly and the vehicle behind them gets wedged under the tractor-trailer. When this occurs, the momentum of the vehicle forces it underneath the truck.

Wide-turn Collisions

Wide-turn collisions are a result of large commercial vehicles lacking maneuverability. You may have witnessed a semi-truck swing their vehicle out to the left before making a right turn around a corner. Or, you may have witnessed the difficulty commercial vehicles have when making a U-turn; this type of motion may confuse other drivers and lead to an accident.

Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents occur when a truck driver loses control of the front part of their vehicle, and the hitched cargo tips and rolls over to the side. When there are other parties on the road, this is a dangerous situation for everyone involved. When a rollover accident occurs, the trailer of the truck can crash into and may even completely crush surrounding passenger vehicles.

Due to the unique nature of a commercial vehicle, when they are involved in an accident the results can be destructive and extremely injurious. Because there are a wide variety of commercial vehicles with great utility, the damage that they are capable of causing is often unpredictable. When a crash occurs, the individual circumstances of the crash are important in the determination of liability; that is why if you or a loved one has been involved in a crash in Temple, it is important to hire an who is experienced in this field of law.

Common causes of Large Truck Accidents in Temple

Crashes involving large commercial vehicles are complex because there are so many factors at play. Driver training and experience, highway conditions, and vehicle design all influence the chances that a crash occurs. Rarely is crashing a result of a single factor; below are some of the common causes of large truck accidents.

Drunk Driving

Drunk driving is illegal in all 50 states, and federal law specifically poses more stringent requirements on commercial truck drivers. Whereas the legal limit for a civilian’s blood alcohol content (BAC) is .08%, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration sets the limit for commercial truck drivers at .04%. This standard is in force because we can all recognize the inherent danger of operating a large commercial vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

Fatigued/Drowsy Driving

Fatigued/Drowsy Driving is the result of mental or physical exhaustion that impairs performance. Fatigue is a major factor for motor vehicle crashes overall, but in the context of commercial vehicles, driver fatigue poses a host of additional dangers. For these reasons, federal and state governments impose restrictions on the number of hours that a commercial driver can consecutively work.

Reckless Driving

Reckless Driving can be incentivized by the economic nature of the commercial trucking industry. Trucking companies want to make as much money as possible, so they put their drivers on tight turnaround times. Feeling the pressure to perform and earn his employer more revenue, a commercial truck driver may be compelled to travel above the speed limit and engage in a style of driving unsafe for the motorists around them.

Inclement Weather

Inclement weather is an important consideration for commercial truck drivers. Because of the nature of commercial vehicles, truck drivers must exercise extreme caution when driving in dangerous weather conditions.  While all drivers must exercise caution in bad weather conditions, commercial vehicles are more vulnerable to small weather changes by virtue of their weight and the instability of the load they may be carrying.

Tire Blowouts

Tire blowouts are especially dangerous when a passenger is traveling next to a commercial vehicle; when this happens, the truck driver could be able to continue traveling without realizing the damage they have caused. In the worst-case scenario, a blowout on a large commercial vehicle could lead to the driver losing control and causing accidents. Commercial trucks have a higher likelihood of their tires being blown out than most other vehicles, so it is important to avoid traveling alongside a commercial vehicle for an extended period.

Because crashes are rarely a result of a single factor, it is important that experienced Temple accident lawyers are aware of your case. An experienced accident lawyer is cognizant of contributing factors and is keen on ensuring the preservation of evidence. Trust Texas’ premier accident attorneys; contact Zinda Law Group and follow the steps below to give yourself the best chance of obtaining financial recovery.

AFTER A TRUCK ACCIDENT, WHAT ARE MY FIRST STEPS?

The first, and most important step after a truck accident is to seek any necessary medical treatment. Seeking emergency medical attention remains the first line of action, even if your injuries are not readily apparent. Next, contact the local authorities in Temple, and, if possible, wait for a police officer to arrive on the scene.

Then, you should contact a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced Temple truck accident attorneys at Zinda Law Group will ensure the preservation of vital evidence, which is often lost, misplaced, or purposely destroyed by the trucking companies. You have a right to discuss the accident with an attorney who can go over your options and can help you file a personal injury claim or lawsuit; contact Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to find an injury lawyer near you.

NEVER ADMIT FAULT AFTER AN ACCIDENT

There are several reasons why you should not admit fault after an accident, even though you may feel pressure to assign blame at the scene of the accident or the other party may make assertions that put you in an uncomfortable position. You are probably not aware of all the factors that may have caused the incident, and neither are the other parties.

Avoid admitting fault by:

• Allowing your attorney to speak to all parties on your behalf
• Not embellishing facts or other information
• Not stating any personal opinions

Many factors could have led to the accident. For example, the truck driver may have been using his cellphone or been under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The at-fault party and their insurance company are looking for statements that will help them deny your claim. Avoid making this mistake by contacting a Temple injury lawyer to engage other parties on your behalf, including law enforcement, eyewitnesses, the at-fault party, and the insurance company.

GET HELP FROM OUR TEMPLE TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS

At Zinda Law Group, our experienced team of attorneys focuses on protecting your rights and preparing your case after a truck accident. A lawyer can help you and your family pursue maximum compensation for medical bills, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, and much more.

Truck accident injuries can be life-threatening or have a lengthy recovery period. A Zinda Law Group attorney can work to seek awards for your losses and hold negligent parties accountable. We offer 100% free initial consultations, and you will pay nothing unless we achieve a favorable settlement, judgment, or verdict for your injury case; that is our No Win No Fee Guarantee.

A lawyer from our firm would be honored to serve you during this challenging time. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a truck wreck, call Zinda Law Group at (800) 863-5312 to schedule a free consultation with our Temple truck accident lawyers.

Meetings with attorneys are available by appointment only.