Large commercial trucks share our highways every day, transporting goods across Texas, New Mexico, and throughout the United States. While these vehicles are essential to our economy, their massive size and weight create unique dangers when accidents occur. Understanding the different types of truck accidents can help you recognize the specific hazards these vehicles pose and the serious injuries that often result from collisions involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
The variety of truck accident types reflects the complex nature of operating these massive vehicles. Each type of collision presents distinct causes, injury patterns, and legal considerations. Whether you’ve been involved in a truck accident or simply want to understand your rights on the road, knowing these different accident types is an important first step.
Rear-End Truck Collisions
Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks are particularly devastating due to the extreme weight difference between passenger vehicles and large trucks. When a truck strikes a vehicle from behind, the force can be catastrophic. These accidents often occur when truck drivers fail to maintain safe following distances, become distracted, or cannot stop in time due to brake failure or poor maintenance. The stopping distance for a fully loaded commercial truck can exceed 300 feet at highway speeds, making these vehicles especially dangerous when following too closely.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling a folding pocket knife. These accidents typically happen when a truck driver brakes suddenly or loses control on slippery roads, causing the trailer to swing outward. Jackknifing often results in multi-vehicle accidents as the trailer sweeps across multiple lanes of traffic, striking other vehicles and blocking the entire roadway. The loss of control inherent in jackknife situations makes them extremely dangerous for everyone on the road.
Underride and Override Accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath a truck’s trailer during a collision. These are among the most deadly types of truck accidents because the top of the passenger vehicle, where occupants sit, often collides with the bottom of the trailer, resulting in severe head and upper body injuries. Override accidents happen when a truck rides up and over a smaller vehicle, crushing it beneath the truck’s weight. Both accident types frequently result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Wide Turn Accidents
Commercial trucks require significantly more space to complete turns than passenger vehicles. Right-turn accidents, often called “squeeze play” accidents, happen when trucks swing wide to the left before turning right, or when the trailer’s rear wheels cut the corner short. Vehicles positioned beside the truck or pedestrians in crosswalks can be caught in the truck’s path. These accidents are common at urban intersections where space is limited.
Rollover Accidents
Truck rollovers occur when a commercial vehicle tips onto its side or roof. These accidents can result from excessive speed around curves, improper cargo loading that shifts the truck’s center of gravity, or sudden evasive maneuvers. When a truck rolls over, it often crushes nearby vehicles and spills cargo across the roadway, creating additional hazards and often blocking traffic in multiple lanes.
Blind Spot Accidents
Commercial trucks have significant blind spots, called “no-zones”, on all four sides where the driver cannot see other vehicles. These blind spots are much larger than those of passenger vehicles, extending up to 20 feet in front of the cab, 30 feet behind the trailer, and one lane width on each side. When vehicles linger in these blind spots, truck drivers may inadvertently change lanes or merge into them, causing serious collisions.
Tire Blowout Accidents
When a commercial truck experiences a tire blowout at highway speeds, the driver can quickly lose control of the vehicle. The sudden loss of tire pressure can cause the truck to swerve, jackknife, or roll over. Additionally, the tire debris itself poses a serious hazard to other motorists. Tire blowouts often result from inadequate maintenance, overloaded trucks, or defective tires that fail to meet Texas Department of Transportation safety standards.
Head-On Collisions
While less common than other types, head-on collisions with trucks are often fatal due to the massive force involved. These accidents typically occur when a truck driver crosses the center line due to fatigue, distraction, or impairment. On two-lane highways, head-on collisions are particularly deadly given the combined speed of both vehicles.
Lost Load Accidents
Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can fall from trucks, creating immediate hazards for other drivers. Lost loads cause accidents when cargo strikes vehicles directly or when drivers swerve to avoid falling debris. Trucking companies and cargo loaders have legal responsibilities to secure all freight properly according to federal regulations.
Experienced Legal Representation for Truck Accident Victims
At the Ruhmann Law Firm, our personal injury attorneys in El Paso understand the devastating impact truck accidents have on victims and their families. We have experience investigating commercial vehicle collisions and holding negligent trucking companies accountable for their actions. These cases require thorough investigation, including review of driver logs, maintenance records, black box data, and federal compliance documentation.
Our team works directly with each client throughout the case, remaining responsive to individual needs and concerns. We understand that no one expects their life to be changed by a serious truck accident, which is why we pursue full and fair compensation for medical bills, lost earnings, and all other damages our clients deserve. From gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies or taking cases to trial, we provide the dedicated advocacy that truck accident victims need.
Standing up for yourself in a civil litigation case is nearly impossible without the strength and commitment of an experienced, knowledgeable trial lawyer. We are well-known by opposing counsel and insurance carriers as dedicated advocates who will take a case as far as necessary to ensure that our clients are treated fairly.
If you or a loved one has been injured in any type of truck accident, don’t face the insurance companies alone. Contact our skilled El Paso personal injury lawyers at 915-234-1639 or online to discuss your case during a free consultation. You deserve the highest levels of personal service and attention as you pursue the financial recovery you need.