Understanding the 7 Most Common Types of Devastating Truck Accidents

Large truck accidents are incredibly serious, and if you're looking for a quick understanding of why, here it is: these crashes are more dangerous than regular car accidents, often leading to severe injuries or fatalities, especially for those in smaller vehicles.

We're talking about accidents like rollovers, rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, and even terrifying jackknife situations.

To truly understand the specifics of each type of truck accident, including the causes such as driver fatigue or equipment failure, and the severe consequences they can have, I encourage you to read through the details in the sources. There's a lot more information here that can help you understand the risks involved.

Over One Billion
In Settlements
and Verdicts

Free Case Consultation

The Sheer Force and Frequency of Large Truck Accidents

While heavy commercial trucks constitute less than 5 percent of all registered vehicles nationwide, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports that over 13 percent of all fatal crashes on U.S. roadways involve at least one large commercial truck or bus. In 2022, 5,837 large trucks were involved in fatal crashes, representing a 49% increase over the past decade.

The sheer size and weight difference between tractor-trailers, which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when loaded, and standard passenger cars, which typically weigh around 4,000 pounds, means that occupants of smaller vehicles are more susceptible to serious injury in the event of an accident.

More than 7 in 10 individuals killed in large truck crashes on American roads were occupants of other vehicles, not the large truck.

These 35,000-pound machines barreling down the road pose a significant risk, where even a low-speed wreck can result in severe property damage and catastrophic injury. To better understand these risks, this article will discuss the seven most frequent types of truck accidents and the factors that commonly contribute to them.

The 7 Most Common Types of Truck Accidents and Their Causes

Truck Rollovers: Catastrophic Loss of Control

Definition: A truck rollover accident is a catastrophic and terrifying wreck where the truck flips onto its side. Tractor-trailers and other large commercial trucks have a much higher center of gravity compared to standard passenger cars.

Common Causes:

• Taking turns too sharply or driving too fast for the conditions can cause the trailer to flip, potentially rolling the entire truck over. In a study analyzing hundreds of truck rollovers, the FMCSA found that the most common cause was failure to adjust speed at curves, followed by driver inattention and steering errors.
• Rollover accidents can occur due to reckless or negligent driving, such as speeding, distracted driving, driver fatigue, or driving under the influence of intoxicating substances.
• Even when drivers operate safely, an overloaded or improperly loaded trailer can sway dangerously during turns, leading to a rollover.
• Tire blowouts, which can result from improper maintenance or design and manufacturing defects, can also cause a rollover.

Danger: These accidents pose a significant and deadly hazard to everyone on the road.

Rear-End Collisions: The Impact of Size and Stopping Distance

Definition: In rear-end truck accidents, the significant difference in size and weight between a large commercial truck and a standard car can easily lead to passenger vehicles being crushed upon impact.

Common Causes:

• Tractor-trailers are heavy and slow to maneuver, requiring much more time and distance for truck drivers to slow down, avoid road hazards, or come to a safe stop.
• Negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, or tailgating by truck drivers, can lead to devastating rear-end accidents.
• Impaired driving and driver fatigue are also common contributing factors. Studies have revealed that 20% of semi-truck drivers reported falling asleep at the wheel within the last 30 days.
• Inexperienced or hurried truck drivers who fail to observe the FMCSA-recommended following distances create hazards by not leaving enough time and space to slow or stop.

Danger: Passenger vehicles can be easily crushed due to the enormous size and weight of the truck. According to the FMCSA, approximately 33,000 rear-end collisions involving tractor-trailers occur annually in the U.S., accounting for over 25 percent of all truck crashes.

Head-On Collisions: Devastating Frontal Impacts

Definition: Head-on collisions occur when a vehicle drifts out of its lane and directly into the flow of oncoming traffic, or at intersections when drivers fail to observe the proper right-of-way.

Common Causes:

• Reckless or negligent driving, or simply losing control of the vehicle, can cause a driver to enter the wrong lane.
• Driver fatigue from long hours, often due to demanding quotas, can cause a driver to slowly gravitate into opposing lanes as they nod off. Driving while fatigued is a factor in almost 40% of all crashes in the U.S.
• Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs is a significant risk factor.
• A mental crash following excessive use of over-the-counter stimulants can also lead to drifting into oncoming traffic.
• Tire blowouts, which often lead to rollovers, can also cause a driver to lose control and swerve into other lanes.

Danger: Colliding head-on with a large tractor truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds can have almost always devastating results for occupants of a passenger vehicle weighing 4,000 pounds or less. While devastating, head-on collisions make up only about 3 percent of large truck collisions each year, according to the FMCSA.

Jackknife Accidents: The Unpredictable Trailer Swing

Definition: Jackknife accidents happen when large trucks with articulated joints between the tractor and trailer make improper turns or braking maneuvers, causing the trailer to swing wide around its pivot point, resembling a folding jackknife.

Common Causes:

• The most common cause is improper braking by truck drivers, especially braking too quickly or too hard in inclement weather conditions. This can cause the tractor to slow down faster than the trailer it is towing, resulting in a fishtailing motion.
• The back of the trailer may then skid out to one side, leading to a jackknife.
• Taking turns too quickly can also lead to similar jackknifing situations. Improperly adjusted brakes and downshifting can also contribute to the issue.

Danger: This type of wreck is particularly dangerous due to the unpredictability of a skidding trailer, which may strike nearby vehicles and carry them along as the truck moves through traffic. Even if a jackknifed trailer avoids initial collisions, incoming traffic may still crash into the resulting road obstacle, causing multi-car pileups.

T-Bone Accidents: Side-Impact Crashes at Intersections

Definition: T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact or broadside crashes, occur most frequently at intersections when tractor-trailers traveling at perpendicular angles collide with the sides of other cars, forming a “T” shape.

Common Causes:

• Truck drivers may run red lights, ignore stop signs, or otherwise violate the proper right-of-way at intersections.
• These wrecks can also be caused by truck drivers who are speeding, distracted, drowsy, or intoxicated, illegally running through intersections.
• A T-bone crash can also happen when a truck driver makes an improper turn across one or more lanes of traffic, causing other vehicles to hit the side of the cab or trailer.

Danger: These wrecks tend to be especially devastating for drivers or passengers located on the side of the vehicle that absorbs the impact. The body of the passenger vehicle often takes much of the impact directly, resulting in serious injuries such as broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, and even death.

Sideswipe Accidents: Collisions in Parallel Traffic

Definition: A sideswipe truck accident is like a T-bone collision, but the colliding cars are generally traveling side-by-side in the same direction.

Common Causes:

• Many sideswipe accidents between trucks and passenger cars occur when commercial drivers fail to adequately check their many blind spots before changing lanes or merging into traffic.
• Truck drivers may also lose control due to tire blowouts, road hazards, intense wind, or other inclement weather conditions.
• Distracted, drunk, drugged, or fatigued drivers may simply lose focus and drift into nearby cars in adjacent lanes.

Danger: These accidents are particularly hazardous because a sideswiped car may be forced sideways into other lanes of parallel traffic, causing multi-vehicle pileups and potentially more severe damage. 

Wide Turn Accidents: The Hazards of Maneuvering Large Trailers

Definition: Right-hand turns can be challenging for truck drivers due to the tighter angles. Sometimes, they attempt these turns by first swinging their cabs wide to the left before turning right.

Common Causes:

• This wide left swing is done to avoid the “right turn squeeze” that occurs when trailers lack sufficient space for proper right turns. However, this creates a dangerous situation for vehicles in neighboring lanes.
• Instead of veering left, the FMCSA recommends that truck drivers travel straight to the farthest lane of the road they are turning onto, then maneuver rightward into the closest available lane.
• Truck drivers who neglect this safety advice or make unsafe wide turns due to distraction, drowsiness, or intoxication may cause severe injuries.

Danger: Vehicles in neighboring lanes may crash into the trailer or become trapped underneath the truck as it swings left.

Broader Contributing Factors to Tractor-Trailer Accidents

Beyond the specific dynamics of each accident type, several broader factors contribute to the occurrence of tractor-trailer accidents:

• Driver Negligence and Human Error: This encompasses a wide range of unsafe behaviors, including driver fatigue from demanding schedules, distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs (prescription or over-the-counter), and a lack of experience or inadequate training for operating these large and complex vehicles. Failure to adhere to traffic laws and FMCSA regulations, such as those concerning following distances and hours of service, also plays a significant role.
• Vehicle Maintenance and Equipment Issues: Defective equipment is a factor in many truck crashes. Common issues include brake malfunctions due to improper adjustment or failure, tire blowouts resulting from poor maintenance or defects, steering and suspension defects, lighting system violations, and improperly secured or overloaded cargo, all of which can affect the truck's stability and handling.
• External and Environmental Factors: Conditions outside the driver and vehicle can also contribute to accidents. These include inclement weather, such as rain, snow, ice, and wind; roadway defects or hazards; traffic congestion or flow interruptions; and the driver's unfamiliarity with the roadway.

The Critical Role of Truck Safety Regulations and Technology

Efforts to mitigate the dangers of large truck accidents involve a combination of regulations and technological advancements:

• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Regulations: The FMCSA plays a crucial role in overseeing the safety of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce. Their regulations cover various aspects, including hours-of-service rules designed to combat driver fatigue by limiting driving time and requiring breaks, vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements, standards for Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs), and recommended following distances to prevent rear-end collisions.
• Truck Underride Guards: Underride accidents, in which a passenger vehicle partially or completely goes under a truck or trailer, have deadly consequences. Federal rules mandate rear-impact guards on new trailers, but research has shown that these guards can fail in real-world crashes. There is a growing push for stronger rear underride guards, as well as the requirement for side and front underride guards, which are not currently mandated in the U.S. The proposed STOP Underrides Act aims to require guards on the sides of all semi-trailers and update standards for rear underride guards.
• Crash Avoidance Technologies: Several technologies are designed to help prevent or mitigate truck accidents.
• Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) prevent wheel lockup during hard braking, improving driver control and reducing the likelihood of jackknifing.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) intervenes when a truck's motion becomes unstable, helping to prevent rollovers, jackknifing, and other loss-of-control situations.
• Forward Collision Warning and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems can alert drivers to impending collisions and automatically apply the brakes if necessary.
• Lane Departure Warning systems alert drivers when their vehicle begins to drift out of its lane.
• Blind spot detection systems help drivers identify vehicles in their blind spots.

The Devastating Consequences of Accidents Involving Large Trucks

Accidents involving large trucks are more likely to result in severe and catastrophic injuries or fatalities compared to car accidents due to the immense size and weight of commercial vehicles. Occupants of other vehicles are disproportionately affected, accounting for most deaths and injuries in these crashes. Examples of serious injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, amputations, and even decapitation in underride accidents. These accidents inflict a significant emotional and financial toll on victims and their families. In 2022, 5,936 people died in large-truck crashes.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Truck Accident

If you are involved in a truck accident, taking the right steps immediately is crucial:

• Seek immediate medical evaluation even if injuries are not immediately apparent.
• Report the accident to the police and your own insurance company.
• Avoid giving detailed statements or signing any documents from the trucking company's insurance adjuster without first consulting with your own attorney. Their priority is to protect the insurance company's interests, not yours.
• Gather information at the scene if it is safe to do so, including driver information, vehicle details, and witness contact information.
• Understand your legal options and recognize the importance of hiring a personal injury lawyer experienced in truck accidents as soon as possible. An attorney can conduct a detailed investigation, help preserve crucial evidence such as driver logbooks and maintenance records, and advocate for your rights against the trucking company and their insurers.

Let Gary Talk
To The Insurance
Company For You!

Free Case Consultation

Contact Gary Martin Hays' Truck Accident Team

Collisions involving tractor-trailers and large trucks often leave victims with serious injuries that can last a lifetime. Trying to heal while also dealing with a personal injury claim and the insurance companies can be overwhelming. Let us take on the legal responsibilities while you and your family focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free case evaluation at (770) 934-8000. We'll start our investigation immediately and fight for all avenues of compensation you rightfully deserve.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Here is a comprehensive list of frequently asked questions and answers about large truck accidents, drawing on the information provided in the sources:

General Statistics and Dangers of Large Truck Accidents

• Are large truck accidents more dangerous than other types of vehicle accidents? Yes, even though large commercial trucks make up less than 5 percent of all registered vehicles nationwide, more than 13 percent of all fatal crashes on U.S. roadways involve at least one large commercial truck or bus.
• How many people die in large truck crashes? In 2022, 5,936 people died in large-truck crashes. This number has increased 2% from 2021 and is up 49% in the last 10 years.
• Who is most likely to be killed in a large truck accident? Of all the individuals killed in large truck crashes on American roads, more than 7 in 10 were the occupants of other vehicles, not the large truck.
• What percentage of vehicles involved in fatal crashes are large trucks? Large trucks accounted for 6% of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes in 2022.
• How much more do large trucks typically weigh compared to passenger vehicles? Large trucks typically weigh 20 to 30 times more than passenger vehicles. This weight disparity contributes to the severity of accidents.

Types of Truck Accidents

• What is a truck rollover accident? A truck rollover accident occurs when a tractor-trailer or other large commercial truck, which has a higher center of gravity than cars, flips and rolls over onto one side. This can happen when drivers take turns too sharply or drive too fast for conditions.
• What are the common causes of truck rollovers? Truck rollovers can be caused by reckless or negligent driving, such as speeding, distracted driving, fatigue, or driving under the influence. They can also occur due to overloaded or improperly loaded cargo, or tire blowouts resulting from poor maintenance or defects.
• What is a rear-end truck accident? In a rear-end truck accident, the large size and weight of a commercial truck can cause significant damage to a passenger vehicle upon impact. Trucks require more time and distance to come to a complete stop.
• What causes rear-end truck accidents? These accidents often result from truck driver negligence, such as distracted driving, speeding, tailgating, impaired driving, or fatigue. Inexperienced or hurried drivers who don't observe recommended following distances also contribute. According to the FMCSA, rear-end collisions account for more than 25 percent of all truck crashes annually, and most occur when the truck is struck.
• What is a head-on truck collision? A head-on collision occurs when a truck drifts out of its lane and into oncoming traffic, or at intersections when right-of-way is not observed. These collisions with large trucks are almost always devastating due to the weight difference.
• What can lead to a head-on truck collision? Driver fatigue, driving under the influence, mental crashes following stimulant use, and tire blowouts causing loss of control can all lead to head-on collisions. These are more common on narrow, rural roadways.
• What is a jackknife accident? A jackknife accident happens when the trailer of a large truck swings wide around its pivot point during improper turns or braking, resembling a folding jackknife.
• What is the most common cause of jackknife accidents? Improper braking by the truck driver, particularly braking too quickly or too hard in adverse weather conditions, is a common cause. This can cause the trailer to fishtail and skid out of control. Taking turns too quickly can also lead to jackknifing.
• What is a T-bone accident involving a truck? A T-bone accident, or side-impact crash, typically occurs at intersections when a truck runs a red light, ignores a stop sign, or otherwise violates right-of-way, colliding with the side of another vehicle.
• Why are T-bone accidents with trucks so dangerous? These wrecks can be particularly devastating for occupants on the side of the vehicle struck by the truck.
• What is a sideswipe truck accident? A sideswipe accident is similar to a T-bone but occurs when vehicles traveling side-by-side in the same direction collide.
• What often causes sideswipe truck accidents? Failure of commercial drivers to check blind spots before changing lanes or merging is a common cause. Loss of control due to tire blowouts, road obstacles, wind, or driver impairment can also lead to sideswipes.
• What is a wide turn accident involving a truck? Wide turn accidents, particularly right-hand turns, occur when truck drivers swing their cabs wide to the left before making a right turn, creating a hazard for vehicles in neighboring lanes.
• How should truck drivers properly make right-hand turns? The FMCSA recommends that truck drivers travel straight to the farthest lane of the road they are turning onto, then maneuver rightward into the closest available lane.
• What is an underride accident? An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle travels partially or completely under the body of a truck or trailer. These crashes can lead to severe injuries, including head injuries, brain injuries, or decapitation, for those in the passenger vehicle. Underride can occur at the front, rear, or sides of a truck.
• Are there safety measures to prevent underride accidents? Strong underride guards can prevent passenger vehicles from sliding beneath truck trailers. Regulations exist for rear underride guards, and there are ongoing efforts to require and improve these guards, as well as consider side underride guards.

Causes and Contributing Factors in Truck Accidents

• What are some common causes of tractor-trailer accidents? The FMCSA outlines the main contributing factors, including brake malfunctions, traffic flow interruptions, the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications, speeding in adverse conditions, unfamiliarity with roadways or hazards, failure to stop, inadequate surveillance, and driver fatigue. All tractor-trailer accidents can often be attributed to issues with the vehicle or the driver.
• Is truck driver fatigue a significant factor in truck accidents? Yes, truck driver fatigue is a recognized crash risk and a significant safety concern in the trucking industry. Drivers may work long hours under pressure to deliver cargo quickly, often resulting in 16-hour days. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of truck drivers have reported falling asleep at the wheel. IIHS research indicates that drivers who are behind the wheel for over eight hours are twice as likely to be involved in a crash. Hours-of-service regulations are in place, but violations still occur.
• Does defective equipment play a role in truck accidents? Yes, defective equipment is a factor in many truck crashes. Brake defects are particularly common. Studies have shown that trucks with defective equipment are more likely to be in crashes.
• Is speeding a factor in truck accidents? Yes, driving too fast, especially in poor conditions, is a common cause of truck accidents. A significant percentage of truck drivers involved in fatal crashes have prior speeding convictions.
• Does driver distraction contribute to truck accidents? Yes, distracted driving can lead to various types of truck accidents, including rollovers and rear-end collisions.
• Are truck drivers often under the influence of alcohol or drugs? While it can occur, large truck drivers killed in fatal crashes rarely have high blood alcohol concentrations due to strict government regulations. However, the use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs can still contribute to accidents.
• Does improper loading of cargo cause truck accidents? Yes, improperly loaded or overloaded cargo can alter a truck's center of gravity, contributing to rollover accidents and other types of crashes.
• Does poor truck maintenance contribute to accidents? Yes, failure to properly maintain trucks, including brakes, tires, and other essential systems, can lead to accidents.

Factors Contributing to the Severity of Truck Accidents

• Why are injuries in truck accidents often so severe? The enormous difference in size and weight between large commercial trucks and standard cars means that the occupants of passenger vehicles often sustain the brunt of the violent impact in a collision, leading to more serious injuries or fatalities.
• How do the height differences between trucks and cars affect accident severity? The greater height and ground clearance of trucks can cause lower-riding vehicles to slide underneath truck trailers in a crash, leading to deadly underride accidents.

Safety Regulations and Prevention

• What are some existing safety regulations for large trucks? Regulations cover aspects such as maximum weight, driver hours of service, equipment standards (including brakes and underride guards), licensing for commercial drivers (CDLs), and vehicle inspection and maintenance requirements.
• What is being done to improve truck safety? Efforts include mandating and improving rear underride guards, exploring requirements for side underride guards, and promoting the use of crash avoidance technologies like antilock brakes, electronic stability control (ESC), forward collision warning, and automatic emergency braking (AEB).
• What are underride guards, and how do they help? Underride guards are designed to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding underneath large trucks in a collision, which can significantly reduce the risk of severe injuries and fatalities, particularly in rear-end and side-impact collisions.