When crisscrossing the country, truck drivers may encounter some difficult circumstances. First, they have the weather to contend with moving from one type of climate to another. Then, they must also be able to successfully and safely deal with changing terrain, like mountainous areas.
Staying safe behind the wheel is the goal of every driver. When it comes to those who drive a tractor-trailer, this becomes a matter of life and death. The rate of fatalities in a truck accident is higher than any other vehicle. This applies to both the driver of the cars impacted and the driver of the semi. When it comes to an accident with a heavy machine, the odds of coming out with severe injuries depends on a few factors, one of which is the type of accident. Familiarize yourself with the most common accidents semi-trucks get in every day.
- Jack-knife
If a trucker needs to apply the brakes suddenly, it may cause the semi to jack-knife. This accident causes the trailer to be brought forward towards the cab of the rig. When the semi finally comes to a stop, it usually does so at a 90-degree angle. If there are vehicles within the path of a jack-knifing semi, they may suffer severe damage, and the occupants may sustain catastrophic injuries.
- Tire Blow Out
A tire on any vehicle can blow out. The usual causes are degraded tread, low tire pressure, and debris kicked up from the road that compromises the integrity of the tire. A tire blow-out on a semi-truck may cause it to swerve uncontrollably between lanes. It may sway into a barricade or off to the side of the road. There are times when a single tire blow-out may result in subsequent ones, which makes it almost impossible for the driver to maintain any control. Impacting an out-of-control semi would meet with disastrous consequences.
- Rollover
Tractor-trailers carry heavy loads and during transit, these items can shift. If the driver needs to make an evasive maneuver to avoid a collision or an obstacle, the load may become unbalanced. The unfortunate side effect of this is a sudden jerk of the wheel, which causes the weight to shift may also cause the trailer to turn over. Rollover accidents are some of the most serious. They typically cover the roadway and steamroll over other vehicles.
Accidents involving semi-trucks are cause for serious concern. They often result in catastrophic injuries for occupants of surrounding vehicles and the semi driver. Consult a trucking accident lawyer in Trenton, NJ if you have experienced this type of trauma first hand.
Thanks to Davis & Brusca for their insight into personal injury claims and common truck accidents.
