Most common truck accidents
Before we get into the most common truck accidents, if you need a Houston truck accident attorney, don’t hesitate to call right away. While it can be easy to put things off, it can be imperative to reach out as soon as possible. The quicker issues are addressed and you have expert assistance, you’ll have peace of mind and be able to move on from these often traumatic events.
Jackknife accidents
Jackknife accidents only occur with heavy vehicles and large trucks that have articulated joints. These events typically happen when cabs and trailers experience a difference in angle, velocity, or similar. Often, the driver will make an improper turn or breaking maneuver, and the force can cause the trailer to swing. The wide ark that the trailer can make on its pivot is especially dangerous when this happens, due to its unpredictability and ability to impact other vehicles before things come to a halt. Unfortunately, accidents often don’t stop here, as the obstruction caused by a jackknifed truck can cause additional crashes and potentially even multi-car pile-ups.
Wide turn accidents
It’s no secret that driving a larger vehicle will make navigating certain aspects of the road more difficult. Making turns is one of the top maneuvers that can cause road accidents, especially when considering that right hand turns are typically tighter than left hand ones. It can take quite some time, as well as skill and concentration, for truck drivers to learn how to judge spaces and make right turns properly, but even with the utmost care, this can create a road environment that is potentially dangerous for other drivers. If anything goes slightly wrong, other vehicles could crash into the trailer or get caught underneath the truck.
Head on collisions
Head on collisions can happen for a myriad of reasons and typically occur when trucks make mistakes when observing the proper right of way, drift out of lanes into the flow of oncoming traffic, and potentially even at red lights and stop signs. These can also happen when tires blow out and are not always the fault of the driver. Head on collisions are likely to have some of the biggest ramifications for other road users.
Rollovers
When truck drivers take turns at high speeds, gravity can kick in and cause a disparity in the trajectory of the vehicle and the road’s curvature. Top heavy trucks are more greatly impacted by centrifugal force than smaller vehicles, and rollovers can happen as a result. As these typically happen on highways and when taking or dismounting ramps, these types of accidents will often involve other vehicles.
When will you need a truck accident lawyer?
If you have an accident of any size, a lawyer may be necessary. Whether you are an independent driver or work for a company, there will typically be a host of in-house lawyers, insurers, and third parties to deal with, and this isn’t always unique to larger crashes. Having your own truck accident lawyer will mean having someone on your side who is working with your best interests in mind, as opposed to trying to get the right results for somebody else.
As many of these accidents can be unique to large or heavy vehicles, it can be imperative to choose a lawyer who specializes in truck accidents, so they have the proper experience and understanding of your unique needs. Finding someone in your local area will also help to ensure that they understand the intrinsic legalities involved with state-specific regulations, so you won’t potentially lose out on your claim. It can be a good idea to ask other truck drivers for recommendations or search for a reputable lawyer ‘near me’ online.