Common Types of Truck Accidents
When we see large trucks on the road, very seldom do we think about the “what if” of being involved in an accident. However, the truth is that truck accidents injure and kill thousands of people every year. Sometimes it’s the fault of another driver; sometimes it’s the fault of the truck driver. And sometimes the truck itself causes the accident. While there are several ways truck accidents occur, some are far more common than others.
Downhill Brake Failure
When a truck is traveling downhill, the demands placed on the brakes can be severe. Oftentimes truck drivers, especially inexperienced ones, don’t understand this. Truck drivers are taught the braking technique on how to best keep the truck from going out of control as it travels downhill. Some of this is common sense, and some of it skill.
Some truck drivers press down continuously on the brakes. But if a 70,000 pound truck has its brakes pressed down as it goes down a long hill, the brakes are going to heat up to a temperature that can reach the point where problems with the drums occur. However, the success of the truck’s brakes is also contingent on if the load is placed correctly and if the truck has had a maintenance check recently. The weight of the truck also matters to the grade of the road and the shape the road is in. It isn’t only a question of speed.
The best thing truckers can do is to apply the brakes intermittently, or press off and on the brake pedal to keep the truck slowed to a manageable speed, as well as to keep the brakes from overheating. If all the brakes are working properly, the truck should be able to stay in control. If not, then the downhill speed a truck reaches can have devastating consequences for those caught in the path of a semi.
Brake Malfunction
Trucks use airbrakes, which use a drum unit. When the brakes are applied, the shoe is forced into the drum. If everything is working correctly on the truck and the load is balanced, the truck should have no problem stopping. However, when there is a problem the brakes can heat up to nearly 1000 degrees F. The heat created by the friction can destroy the brakes, and the truck will not be able to slow down creating a dangerous situation for everyone on the road.
Jackknifing
When the truck brakes hard or skids, the length of the truck may cause the trailer to swing around. The rig and the trailer stop at right angles. This is called jackknifing.
Watching a big rig jackknife on the highway can be a terrifying experience. Because there’s no telling which way the trailer is going to go, or if the trailer crosses all lanes of traffic, jackknifing trucks can cause several vehicles to become involved in an accident causing multiple injuries or fatalities.
Rollovers
The height and weight of the truck can cause it to roll easily. Going around a curve to fast, jackknifing, overcorrection, and more can cause the truck to topple over. If the truck is a flatbed, the load can, and will, spill all over the road. If the truck doesn’t hit other vehicles, the load most likely will.
Underrides
The beds of tractor trailers are higher than most automobiles. If an accident occurs on the highway, there is serious potential for passenger cars to get trapped beneath the bed of the truck. This can also occur if the truck stops suddenly and the automobile is too close. While the beds are higher than the surrounding vehicles, they are not high enough so that any vehicles caught up near a jackknifing truck will be able to fly beneath unscathed. Many fatalities have occurred when vehicles were involved in underride accidents.
These are just a few of the most common types of accidents involving semi trucks. There are many others that can occur due to maintenance issues that have nothing to do with brakes, the condition of the driver, or condition to the road.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact the Personal Injury Lawyer Directory to find an experienced injury lawyer in your area.
