Common Types of Large Truck Accidents

The trucking industry is booming across the United States, especially in Texas. With more than 12.5 million large trucks [1] registered in the U.S., it is no wonder these large vehicles are often involved in deadly accidents. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), over 100,000 truck accidents [2] result in injuries every year on American highways. Unfortunately, these types of accidents are often deadly due to the sheer size and weight of semi-trucks. To provide some perspective, big rigs and other large trucks can weigh upwards of 80,000 pounds compared to passenger vehicles that typically weigh around 4,000 pounds. As you can imagine, this vast difference in weight is one of the main reasons these accidents cause so much damage. When you are involved in a collision with a truck, there’s a good chance you will face a wide range of debilitating injuries, from whiplash and other neck injuries to much more severe problems that require years of rehabilitation. In many cases, the injuries do not show up at first, but this doesn’t mean they won’t end up causing chronic problems. This is why it is crucial for you to immediately seek medical attention following a collision with a large truck. At Shamieh Law, our lawyers understand how devastating these types of accidents can be. In many cases, the accident may be the result of driver distraction, fatigue, or another external factor outside of your control. To learn more about your rights and what legal action you may be able to take following a large truck accident in Dallas, contact Shamieh Law and schedule a free consultation.

What Are the Most Common Types of Large Truck Accidents?

Trucks are a ubiquitous sight on the highways and interstates throughout the Lone Star State and the rest of the country. These vehicles are critical to our economy, especially right now, amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Big rigs, tractor-trailers, and other large trucks are responsible for carrying goods from one place to another to meet the growing demands of people from coast to coast. And while they are essential to the economy, they also pose many risks to other motorists. This is especially the case when truck drivers are negligent or distracted, or when other drivers fail to share the road properly. Large truck accidents are extremely devastating and can leave their victims with long-term injuries – or worse. Some of the most common types of large truck accidents we see in Dallas include:

Construction zone accidents
Dangerous road accidents
DUI accidents
Hit and run accidents
Rear-end accidents
T-bone accidents
Override accidents
Reckless driving accidents
Head-on collisions
Uninsured motorist accidents
Unsafe turn accidents
Hazardous cargo accidents
Truck rollover accidents
Wide turn accidents
Blindspot accidents
Lost load accidents
Left-turn accidents
Abandoned truck accidents
Backing up accidents
Tire blowout accidents
Underride accidents
Side-impact accidents

Accidents can happen at any time of day or night and can cause serious property damage and life-threatening injuries.

Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents

Any of the above accidents can occur when a truck driver is careless, or the trucking company is negligent, causing unsuspecting motorists to suffer. Some of the most common causes of trucking accidents include:

Inclement weather
Malfunctioning or defective equipment
Driver inexperience
Driver fatigue
Improperly secured loads
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Load shifts
Poor road conditions
Poor truck maintenance
Reckless driving
Distracted driving
Road rage

Injuries Following Large Truck Accidents

Injuries following large truck accidents are often catastrophic. As mentioned earlier, this is due in part to the huge weight difference between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles (80,000 pounds vs. 4,000 pounds). And while the commercial trucking industry is regulated by a set of federal and state laws, truck drivers don’t always follow these guidelines. When this happens, it can lead to severe injuries, such as:

Back and neck injuries (including whiplash)
Broken bones
Lacerations
Spine injuries
Head injuries
Traumatic brain injuries
Herniated discs
Strains or sprains
Internal injuries
Severe burns
Loss of limb or amputation
Paralysis
Death

If you’ve suffered any of the above or lost a loved one in a large truck accident, contact Shamieh Law today. You may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain, and suffering, or other damages.

Safety Tips for Avoiding Large Truck Accidents

Having a better idea of what some of the common causes of truck accidents and injuries are should help you avoid these types of collisions. With that in mind, here are some safety tips for other drivers to help prevent truck accidents from occurring here in Dallas:

Always give trucks at least four to six seconds of space when traveling on the highway or in adverse weather conditions.
Pay attention to a large truck’s turn signal before passing.
Avoid blind spots by always making sure you can see a large truck’s mirrors.
Be very alert whenever approaching a large truck.
Never cut in front of a large truck.
Never pass a large truck when it is making a right turn.
Contact your local authorities if you witness any unsafe driving by truck drivers.
If you need to pass a truck, wait until you can see the entire cab in your rearview mirror before getting back in front of it.

Here are a handful of safety tips for truck drivers:

Drive defensively.
Never drive tired.
Make sure all maintenance concerns have been addressed.
Wear your seatbelt.
Make sure you alert.
Keep your distance from other vehicles.
Adhere to speed limits and traffic signals.
Reduce speed in work and school zones.

If you are involved in a large truck accident in Dallas or elsewhere in Texas, please contact the expert truck accident lawyers at Shamieh Law today. We understand how stressful these types of cases are and will do everything we can to represent you. To learn more about your rights or the steps to take following a Texas truck accident, call Shamieh Law and schedule a free consultation.