What Types of Truck Accidents Are Most Common?

There are many different types of trucks on the road. Tractor-trailers, garbage trucks, and tow trucks are just a few of these. Regardless of the type of truck, when these vehicles are involved in accidents, the results are often catastrophic. Traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and severe burns are just a few of the serious injuries caused by truck accidents.

A truck accident will not only leave you in severe pain as you recover from your injuries, but you may also experience emotional distress and financial hardship. This is particularly true if you cannot return to work, but your medical bills are piling up. If you or someone you love has been hurt, it is critical to speak to a Delaware truck accident lawyer who can advise you of your rights.

Class 7 vs. Class 8 trucks

The larger and heavier a truck is, the larger its blind spots are and the harder they become to maneuver and control. When most motorists envision a heavy truck, they often first think of 18-wheelers. However, there are two main types of heavy trucks in the United States, and they are known as Class 7 and Class 8 trucks. There are differences between these two classifications, and they are as follows:

• Class 7 trucks: Class 7 trucks have a gross vehicle weight rating between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds. They are typically used for urban transportation, regional deliveries, and vocational purposes, such as construction. Class 7 trucks can accommodate a number of different types of cargo, including construction materials, small machinery, and beverages. City transit buses, garbage trucks, and street sweepers are common examples of Class 7 trucks.
• Class 8 trucks: Class 8 trucks have a gross vehicle weight rating of 33,001 pounds or more. These trucks are commonly used for long hauls, and they transport goods such as bulk materials, industrial equipment, and consumer products. Semi-trucks, big rigs, and heavy-duty tractors are all common examples of Class 8 trucks.

The above types of trucks are critical to Delaware’s economy. They transport people around the state, deliver goods to stores, and deliver packages to consumers. Still, regardless of the type of truck involved in a crash, these collisions result in thousands of fatalities and even more injuries nationwide every year.

What are common causes of truck accidents?

Many truck accidents are caused by negligence or carelessness. While truck drivers can be negligent and cause a crash, there are other parties that can also be found liable for an accident. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Delaware are as follows:

• Distracted driving: Truck drivers manage multiple tasks while behind the wheel. They must control systems within the truck, follow GPS routes, and even talk to other truckers about upcoming road and weather conditions. These distractions can take a truck driver’s focus from the road or hands from the wheel, which could cause a crash.
• Impaired driving: Some truck drivers may drive after using drugs or alcohol, which can impair their judgment and reaction time.
• Fatigued driving: The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has implemented the hours-of-service rules, which stipulate how long truck drivers can remain on the road.
• Speeding: Large trucks require more time to slow down and stop. Speeding increases the stopping distance. When a large truck speeds, it can cause an accident and increase the severity of the crash.
• Improper maintenance: Faulty steering systems, tire blowouts, and brake failures all make a truck more difficult to control.
• Improperly loaded cargo: When cargo is not loaded properly into a truck, it can throw the entire vehicle off balance and cause a crash.

While it is critical to determine what caused a crash so you know who to hold liable for paying damages, it is not easy. Our Delaware truck accident lawyers can conduct an investigation to determine whom to hold accountable.

Common types of truck accidents

Whether you are traveling down I-95 or U.S. 13 in Delaware, you may see different types of truck accidents. The most common of these include:

• Jackknife accidents: Jackknife accidents can occur when a transport truck comes to a sudden stop, which causes the trailer to swing sideways and form a 90-degree angle with the tractor. As the trailer swings, it poses a significant risk to other motorists in the vicinity, as it can cross multiple lanes and hit vehicles with considerable force.
• Underride accidents: An underride accident can occur when a smaller car hits the side or rear of a large truck and slides underneath its trailer. These accidents can shear the entire roof off a smaller vehicle, which is one reason underride accidents can be fatal for occupants of smaller vehicles.
• Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents can happen when a truck driver tries to correct their course after a tire has gone off the road, or when a trucker makes an abrupt stop, causing the vehicle to tip over.
• Tire blowouts: Tire blowouts on big rigs can occur when a tire suddenly ruptures or loses air. This often occurs due to overloading, excessive wear and tear, or excessive heat. These accidents can cause tire debris to fly into nearby lanes. As the debris approaches other vehicles, drivers may also overcorrect, potentially causing other accidents.
• Lost load accidents: It is critical that cargo is loaded properly onto a truck. Often, trucking companies hire third parties to complete this task, but truck drivers must also check that cargo is secure at certain points on their trip. Unsecured cargo can drop onto the road, creating a hazard for any motorist in the vicinity.
• Blind spot accidents: The blind spots around tractor-trailers are very large, and they are present on all sides of a truck. Truck drivers have a responsibility to check their mirrors regularly so they are aware of smaller vehicles approaching their blind spots. Many trucks today are also equipped with modern technology that can alert a truck driver that a smaller vehicle is in one of their blind spots.

Our truck accident lawyers in Delaware can help after any type of crash

A truck accident can change your life in a matter of seconds. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, our Delaware truck accident lawyers can review the facts of your case, determine who is liable for paying damages, and help you pursue a full and fair settlement. Call us now or contact us online to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced attorneys and to learn more about how we can help with your case.