Common Types of Semi-Truck Accidents and Their Causes

Semi-trucks, also known as tractor-trailers, are large vehicles primarily used for transporting goods and materials across long distances. A semi-truck consists of a towing engine (tractor) and one or more trailers attached to it. These vehicles can be quite massive, often measuring up 70 to 80 feet in length. When fully loaded, they can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or more, depending on the type of cargo. 

Due to their size and weight, semi-trucks can be particularly hazardous on the roads. An added danger is that drivers on long hauls can often be fatigued and distracted. In collisions involving a semi-truck and a smaller vehicle, the occupants of the smaller vehicle usually suffer the highest percentage of injuries.

The following are common types of semi-truck accidents:

• T-bone accidents — The front of a semi-truck crashes into the side of another vehicle. This type of accident often happens at intersections and can be extremely dangerous due to the high impact on the less protected sides of passenger vehicles.
• Jackknife accidents — The trailer of the semi-truck swings out and forms an acute angle with the tractor, resembling the folding of a jackknife. This can be caused by sudden braking, slippery roads or improper handling of the vehicle. Jackknife accidents are particularly dangerous as they can involve multiple lanes and vehicles.
• Rollovers — The semi-truck tips over onto its side, often due to loss of control, high speeds, sharp turns, or improperly secured loads. Rollovers can block entire roadways and pose risks not only to the truck driver but also to all nearby vehicles.
• Sideswipe accidents — A semi-truck and another vehicle brush against each other, causes either to veer sideways and possibly crash. These accidents typically occur when trucks change lanes without noticing smaller vehicles in their blind spots or when vehicles drift out of their lanes.
• Wide turn accidents — Due to the large turning radius that semi-trucks require, the trailer can swing wide to the left in the course of a right turn, striking vehicles or objects. 
• Override and underride collisions —An override accident happens when a semi-truck runs over a smaller vehicle ahead of it, often due to failure to stop in time. An underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle gets trapped under the trailer of a semi-truck, usually from the rear or side. These are among the most catastrophic semi-truck accidents.

To avoid collisions with semi-trucks and other large vehicles, drivers should maintain a safe following distance, be cautious of truck blind spots, avoid sudden lane changes and be vigilant at intersections and highway on-ramps where large vehicles might merge or change lanes. If you or a family member are hurt in a collision, a New York truck accident attorney can advise you of your rights and legal remedies.

The law firm of Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia, LLP, located in St. James, NY, specializes in representing accident victims throughout Long Island. If you or a family member has been involved in a semi-truck accident, call 631-360-0400 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.