Most Common Tractor Trailer Accidents
Accidents involving tractor trailers, or semi-trucks, can be incredibly damaging to vehicles and can cause life-changing injuries as well as fatalities. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, from 2010 to 2017 there was a 23% increase in fatal large truck crashes. Knowing the most common type of semi accidents could help you to drive a bit more defensively and hopefully avoid these scenarios.
Jackknife
Jackknife accidents can be caused by bad roads, maintenance issues or failing brakes. You will know when you see it, as the cab will be facing the opposite direction of its trailer.
Roll Over
When a semi-truck starts to roll with all of its cargo weight, anything in its path could incur catastrophic damages. These types of accidents occur when a semi is going up or down a steep hill or going around a tight curve in the road.
Tire Blowout
While having a tire blowout on your small car can cause serious problems while you’re driving, there is a chance that you will be able to pull over without causing an accident. Because of the large and often heavy loads that semi-trucks carry, when a tire blows out on the freeway, there is almost a certainty that they will lose control, and many roll-overs are caused by this.
Common Accident Causes
Other common events that cause accidents include truck drivers diverting from their lane or off of the road completely, losing control of the truck because of bad road conditions, driving too fast, experiencing a maintenance issue or the cargo shifting. There are also rear-end accidents, as it takes trucks much longer to come to a complete stop than a regular car.
The majority of these accidents have been found to be caused by driver error. Driver errors can include fatigue, distraction or simply bad decision making.
The trucking company itself may also be to blame for the incident if they did not thoroughly check a driver’s training or driving record. They might also have failed to check logbooks, maintain their fleet or often set an unrealistic driving schedule causing drivers not to rest enough.
Fault Determination
If you have been in a tractor trailer accident and do not think you were at fault, it is important that you consult an experienced truck accident lawyer in Silver Spring, MD. Obtaining fair coverage for your medical bills, recovery time, permanent disabilities and vehicle damages might be more complicated than you expect, especially if a large trucking company is involved.
Thanks to Cohen & Cohen, P.C. for their insight into personal injury claims and common truck accidents.