How Truck Accidents Happen

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, it can be paralyzing to think about the severity of the crash and the injuries that came along with it. With 18-wheeler trucks weighing 20-30 times as much as the average passenger vehicle, there is no such thing as a “minor” trucking accident.

Here’s how truck accidents happen.

Lost or Loose Truck Loads

Loose or lost truck loads occur when the load is not properly secured. Truck drivers are required to secure their loads with a tarp, chain, rope, or some other means of securing the load to prevent any movement or shifting of the load while it’s being transported.

A loose or missing tarp can cause serious damage if it falls off and hits another vehicle on the road behind you. In addition to damaging your vehicle, this type of accident could result in severe injury to yourself, your passengers, and other drivers on the road.

If you see that a truck driver has left his tarp off and there are no other precautions taken to secure his load safely during transport (or if there is visible damage), notify him immediately so he does not inadvertently drop it on another vehicle traveling behind him.

Sideswipe Truck Accidents

Unfortunately, side-swiping accidents are one of the most common types of truck accidents. In some cases, this type of accident is caused by a truck driver not being able to fit their vehicle between two cars in traffic. This can happen when a truck driver creates an unsafe distance between their vehicle and the car in front of them or drives erratically so that they can squeeze into a tight space. Sometimes, this happens because the truck driver may be unaware that there is not enough room for their vehicle to fit between two cars or because there is something blocking the road (such as construction).

The best way for you to prevent getting involved in a sideswipe accident with another car is by making sure that you keep your distance from other vehicles on your left and right when driving behind trucks. Also, make sure that you use your turn signals before changing lanes so as not to surprise anyone else around you who might have been thinking about switching lanes at the same time as well!

Under Ride Accidents

Underride accidents occur when a truck collides with a car and the front of the car is pushed under the trailer or quad-axle of the truck. This occurs when:

  • The driver is distracted, either by talking on his cellphone or using other electronics while driving.
  • The driver isn’t paying attention to road conditions and weather conditions, like heavy rainstorms or foggy mornings.
  • The driver isn’t properly trained in proper driving techniques such as how to use mirrors and check blind spots before changing lanes or turning at intersections.

Wide Turn Accidents

Wide turn accidents occur when a truck makes a wide turn and hits another vehicle, pedestrian, or stationary object. This occurs because of the amount of space that is required to make a wide turn, which means that other vehicles, pedestrians, and objects may be in the path.

Wide turns are needed to avoid hitting other vehicles, pedestrians, and obstacles. Drivers should take extra care around trucks performing these maneuvers as they are at risk of being hit by an out-of-control truck if they fail to yield the right-of-way to them.

However, if you still find yourself in a truck accident, contact an 18 wheeler accident attorney to assist you.

Aiden

Aiden

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