Types of Trucks Involved in Accidents

Friday, July 8, 2022

Types of Trucks Involved in Accidents

Written by Malman Law, reviewed by Steve J. Malman.

A report from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety found that at least 4,000 people in 2020 died from truck accidents. Interestingly, 68% of the fatalities were car occupants, with 16% involving pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

Trucks weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger cars with a greater surface area, compounding the effect of truck accidents. Consequently, truck accidents often result in severe injuries and fatalities. Most truck accidents involve commercial vehicles that operate using a strict professional code. Even so, factors like distracted driving, speeding, fatigue, or inexperience also contribute to truck accidents.

Below, we explore the various types of trucks involved in accidents. To discuss a specific accident and injuries in the Chicago area, reach out to our accident attorneys today.

Semi-Trucks

A semi-truck is an 18-wheeler truck with an engine, cab, and trailer. They’re also equipped with three axles and double wheels that enhance their stability and traction.

Truck rollover accidents are common in semi-trucks whose effects involve other passenger vehicles and pedestrians. Improper loading is one of the least predictable causes of rollover accidents. When the load is not properly packed or fastened, it can quickly shift, causing the truck to lose control.

Victims of semi-truck accidents can suffer the following injuries:

• Broken bones
• Back and Neck Injuries
• Lacerations
• Head injuries
• Spinal cord injuries

Trash Trucks

Unlike other commercial trucks, trash trucks frequently access residential streets to collect garbage and solid waste, compounding their risk. It’s normal to find trash trucks driving and stopping in bike lanes or driving the wrong way on single-lane streets.

Although understandable, these obstructions often catch motorists, bikes, and pedestrians unaware. As a result, underside accidents are prevalent with trash trucks where a passenger car is pinned or crushed underneath the truck. Back-over accidents are also common with trash trucks.

Tow Trucks

The role of tow trucks is to impound wrongly parked vehicles or vehicles that break down. Remember, towing vehicles haul the extra weight of towed cars, which is an additional risk to road users.

Sudden accelerating or stopping contributes significantly to tow truck accidents. Other factors include blind spots, drinking and driving, improperly secured cargo, and mechanical failure. The common types of tow-truck accidents include jackknifing, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and underride accidents.

Rear-end collisions commonly occur with tow trucks when drivers make an error in judgment while navigating blind spots. Unfortunately, the sheer size of tow trucks can crush passenger vehicles, resulting in life-threatening injuries and fatalities.

Tanker Trucks

Tanker trucks have large tanks for carrying liquids and gasses. Some tankers haul hazardous substances like LPG gas, gasoline, or industrial chemicals. That said, tanker trucks pose an extra hazard of explosion or fire whenever an accident occurs. Some of the common kinds of tanker truck accidents include fires, explosions, rollovers, and sideswipe accidents.

Speak to a Truck Accident Lawyer For a Just Compensation

A truck accident can result in life-threatening injuries or the death of a loved one. In addition, it can easily bankrupt victims due to medical bills, lost income, or disability. Luckily, an experienced Chicago truck accident lawyer at Malman Law has sufficient experience handling truck accident claims. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation.