Truck accidents are more common than you know. These accidents often cause serious injuries or even death. Knowing the types of truck accidents can help you avoid them and serious injuries. Let’s get right into it.
Truck Rollover
If you have an SUV, you’ve probably seen the warning car manufacturers add. This warning informs you that the car has a high rollover risk. Like SUVs, trucks also have a higher rollover risk. The reason is the higher center of gravity for these vehicles. A truck rollover accident happens because they can easily tip over if there is a slight diversion from their path.
This is why drivers are advised to slow down when they approach a curve. The reduced speed gives the truck enough time to pass the curve without tipping over. It is also advisable to keep a distance from such large vehicles on the road.
T Bone Collisions
This type of accident happens when a truck runs into a car at an intersection. The crash usually forms a T shape, hence the name. It happens when one party fails to adhere to traffic signs by running a red light or overspeeding immediately after a light turns green.
Accidents like these are almost always fatal for the passenger on the affected side.
Head on Collision
As the name implies, this crash happens when the truck hits a car head-on. This is another dangerous accident because the force of the crash can total the car and injure the passenger. Regardless of safety features like the airbag, the impact can cause a lot of damage.
Like t-bone collisions, this type of accident can be caused by distracted drivers and those who refuse to obey traffic rules.
Rear End Crashes
Unlike the others on this list, rear-end crashes are less fatal, especially if there’s no passenger in the back seat. It is often caused when a car brakes too quickly or a truck is unable to hit the brakes fast enough. This is why it is advisable to leave some space between your car and the next. If there’s a brake failure or error on the part of the driver, you can see it and avoid it quickly enough.
Jackknife Crashes
In some cases, where a truck has to come to a sudden stop it can lead to a jackknife crash. The name is derived from an actual jackknife because of how it works. This crash happens when the truck forms a v shape and swings the trailer out of place. It often happens after an abrupt stop and can cause serious damage to other cars around the vicinity.
Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks have a lot of blind spots because of how high the driver is placed. They cannot see things that are too close to the edges of the truck.
This is the main reason why it is not advisable to overtake a truck suddenly. Such a car may be in the blind spot and be crushed under the weight of the truck.
