Truck Accident Statistics

In 2020, 4,842 large trucks were involved in a fatal crash, a 33 percent increase since 2011. That translated into 4,965 deaths in that one year alone. Large trucks accounted for nine percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. That same year, 107,000 trucks were involved in crashes that caused injuries. More than half of fatal truck wrecks occurred on rural roads and 63 percent occurred during daylight hours.

Common Types of Truck Wrecks

Post-pandemic in the wake of serious supply chain disruptions, the trucking industry is adjusting to its “new normal” of having tremendous, increased pressure on fleets and trucking companies to deliver and to do so quickly and efficiently. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has noted increases in both fatal truck collisions and truck accident injuries from big rig crashes. Truck accidents are commonly caused by severe weather, overloaded cargo, failing to properly maintain the vehicle, road construction and other hazardous road conditions, and more. It is thus important for all drivers on the roads to know the most common types of truck accidents, as well as what to do after a car accident not your fault.

Truck Rollovers

When a truck rolls over and ends up on its side or roof, people can get hurt or killed. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including but not limited to traveling too quickly along a curved stretch of road, truck driver inattention, and the condition of the big rig.

Head-On Collisions

Head-on accidents with trucks are caused by distracted driving, being unfamiliar with the roads or route, bad weather that limits visibility, driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and more.

Jackknife Accidents

When a large truck folds in half at a 90-degree angle into a V-shape, that is a jackknife accident. Common causes include brake failure and other mechanical failures that can be caused by inadequate truck inspections and maintenance.

Wide Turn Accidents

Semi-trucks made wide turns because they are too large to turn in the same small radius as a passenger vehicle. Wide turn truck accidents occur because trucks have to turn from one lane over from the turn lane in order to make a turn. Accidents can occur if a truck driver fails to use a turn signal, swings the back of their truck too far outside of the lanes from which it is turning, enters a turn lane too quickly, and more.

Rear-End Collisions

These accidents are more dangerous when they involve a truck because of the truck’s weight, how long it takes a truck to brake and stop, and the propensity to cause multi-vehicle collisions. Rear-end truck accidents often occur because of faulty brakes, impaired driving, speeding, and defective truck lights, among other causes.

T-Bone Crashes

A T-bone collision is also known as a broadside impact, which occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes directly into the side of another vehicle, putting the two vehicles into the shape of a “T.” T-bone truck collisions rarely occur without serious truck driver error or a trucking defect.

Sideswipes

Also called blind spot accidents, these truck accidents happen when the side of a truck swipes or hits the side of another vehicle on the road. In addition to blind spots, these accidents can also be caused by driver inattention, failing to stay in a lane, not signaling for lane changes, improperly adjusted mirrors, and more.

Tire Blowouts

Tire blowout truck accidents are largely preventable. If a truck driver and trucking company properly handle tire maintenance and take recommended repairs seriously, many blowouts can be avoided. A defective tire can be forced to “blow out” due to a pothole, heat, cargo overload, excessive braking, and more.

Underride Accidents

An underride accident occurs when a smaller vehicle crashes into a big rig and slides underneath it. There are both side underride and rear underride collisions. When a car goes under a truck, its roof can be crushed or ripped off and catastrophic injuries and death can easily occur.

Lost Cargo Load Accidents

If someone is driving near a truck and it tips over, spilling its cargo across the road or highway, a lost load accident can occur. A lost cargo load accident can be caused by overloading a truck, improperly securing the cargo load, and/or an imbalanced load.

If you or a loved one were hurt in a truck crash, our personal injury attorneys will help you recover financial compensation for all damages to which you are entitled, including but not limited to:

Lost wages if you are unable to work
Full coverage of medical expenses, both present and future
Loss of earning potential
Loss of enjoyment of life damages
Emotional distress damages
Loss of consortium damages
Pain and suffering damages
Possible punitive damages against a grossly negligent party

If you were hit and injured by an 18-wheeler or commercial truck, the personal injury lawyers of Wolf Law, PLLC can help. Injury victims must take their legal rights seriously and act quickly after an accident to gain justice and financial compensation for themselves and their loved ones. Trucking companies and their insurance carrier have teams of their own lawyers to handle claims on their behalf; in order to level the playing field, you need experienced legal counsel on your side to help preserve evidence, ensure you get the medical treatment you need and deserve, and to make sure you receive the maximum possible financial compensation.

The Most Common Types of Truck Accident Injuries