According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, in 2018, 5,096 large trucks and buses were involved in fatal accidents. According to the same report, between 2016 and 2018, large truck and bus injury crashes increased eight percent (from 112,000 to 121,000). Because of their size and weight, large commercial trucks can cause severe harm to others. Additionally, there are a variety of commercial trucks, from 18-wheelers to dump trucks. Each commercial truck comes with its own set of risks and hazards.
If you’ve been seriously injured in a commercial truck crash, contact William Mattar today. Our experienced accident attorneys represent clients who have been hurt in a range of truck-related cases. We can fight for you to get the compensation you deserve. Call our legal team today at (844) 444 - 4444.
Types of Commercial Trucks
There are many different types of commercial trucks on our roadways. Some trucks carry goods across state lines, while others transport materials to construction sites and other locations. These vehicles can differ in weight, length, and equipment. Below are some of the most common commercial trucks and their characteristics.
Tractor-Trailers
One type of commercial truck you likely see every day on your commute is the tractor-trailer. Sometimes called 18-wheelers or “big rigs,” tractor-trailers are designed to haul cargo and other material. They have a high center of gravity and can weigh up to 20-30 times as much as a typical passenger car. For these reasons, along with their large blind spots, tractor-trailers can contribute to serious accidents with other vehicles.
Tow Trucks
Tow trucks transport vehicles that are no longer operational to a different location. When your car breaks down or gets into a car crash, you may call a towing company to haul your vehicle to a mechanic or collision shop. Tow trucks are often outfitted with pieces of towing equipment, including booms, wheel-lifts, and flatbeds. As a result of their size, an accident with a tow truck can cause serious injury and death.
Dump Trucks
Dump trucks and garbage trucks take large loads of waste, debris, dirt, gravel, or other materials to sites such as construction areas and landfills. In particular, garbage trucks, often navigate residential streets, where there are many pedestrians, cyclists, and other motorists present. Garbage trucks also frequently stop to collect waste, which can increase the risk of a potential accident.
Other types of dump trucks transport heavy loads, making them susceptible to tipping or losing material on the roadways that can create a hazard for other drivers.
Tank Trucks
A tank—or tanker—truck transports gases and liquids that are often hazardous. Tank trucks can contain everything from cement to sewage to flammable gasoline. These types of vehicles often have circular or cylindrical shaped tanks that can make them prone to tipping or rolling.
A collision involving a tank truck can result in a fire or a release of toxic fumes in the air.
Flatbed Trucks
A flatbed truck has an open trailer that holds various types of oversized cargo, including building materials, equipment, and scrap metal. Because flatbeds do not have sides or a roof, cargo can fall off and cause a crash if not properly secured.
Types of Commercial Truck Crashes
Commercial trucks can be involved in a few types of motor vehicle crashes:
- Rollover: The weight of most commercial trucks puts these vehicles at a higher risk of a rollover crash. Whether it’s due to speeding or a tire blowout, in a rollover, the truck driver can lose control of the truck, causing it to roll on its side.
- Jackknife Accident: A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward, creating a 90-degree angle with the cab.. These accidents often happen on highways where vehicles are traveling at a higher rate of speed. A commercial truck can also lose control and jackknife because of poor road conditions or a mechanical malfunction.
- Wide Turn Crash: In order to turn a large truck, a driver must make a wide maneuver that can cause the trailer of a truck to swing to the left or right. If the driver misjudges the turn, or other motorists are not aware the truck is turning, it can result in a serious motor vehicle accident.
- T-Bone Accident: A T-bone accident happens when the front of one vehicle collides with the side (either the driver or passenger side) of another. T-bone collisions involving commercial trucks can be particularly catastrophic because of their size compared to smaller vehicles such as cars.
- Blind Spot Accident: Many commercial vehicles, such as 18-wheelers, have large blind spots that extend down both sides of the vehicle as well as in front and behind. An accident can occur if another vehicle is in a trucker’s blind spot and is therefore not visible.
A commercial truck crash can seriously injure both the truck driver and the drivers and passengers of other vehicles. Injuries can include traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, broken bones, spinal damage and paralysis, and death.
Causes of Commercial Truck Collisions
Every commercial truck accident case is different. Any number of causes can contribute to a truck crash, whether it’s truck driver’s fault or another motorist. Some common causes of truck collisions include:
- Weather conditions (such as rain, sleet, ice, snow);
- Construction zone hazards;
- Inexperienced truck drivers;
- Truck driver fatigue;
- Negligent and/or reckless driving;
- Unsecure cargo;
- Dangerous roads (i.e. potholes and other obstacles); and
- Mechanical failures.
If you’ve been injured by a commercial truck of any kind, you may be entitled to compensation. Truck accident victims can find themselves facing various financial, physical, and emotional challenges after being involved in a serious crash. A personal injury lawyer can help you pursue damages for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other life disruptions that result from your injuries.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Call William Mattar
Don’t suffer the pain of a truck accident injury alone. Let the truck accident attorneys at William Mattar help you file your claim and achieve a financial recovery. At William Mattar, we offer our clients our No Fee Until We WinSM, which says that you will not owe us any lawyer’s fees unless we win or settle your case. Call (844) 444 - 4444 to get started or to schedule your free consultation.