types of car accident

Semi-truck collisions happen all too often on the roads and highways throughout Texas. Nearly 600 people died, and another 1,200 people suffered potentially serious injuries in truck accidents statewide in one recent year alone, according to the Texas Department of Transportation. While the circumstances surrounding every truck accident are different, there are some common ways these collisions occur.

The Texas truck accident lawyers at Burch Law Firm have spent more than 30 years helping people recover fair compensation for injuries they suffered in accidents caused by someone else’s negligence. We have handled cases involving all types of truck accidents and have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients. Contact our office in New Braunfels today for a free, no-risk consultation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents in Texas

Some of the most common types of truck accidents in Texas include:

Rollovers

A rollover truck accident is one in which the truck tips over to one side. This may cause it to fall onto other vehicles or block traffic, potentially causing subsequent collisions if other drivers cannot stop in time to avoid the overturned truck. One of the common causes of rollover accidents is truck drivers taking turns too quickly, which causes the truck to tip over due to its high center of gravity. Another common cause of rollover truck accidents is the truck’s cargo shifting or coming loose in transit. This can happen if the cargo is not properly loaded or secured beforehand.

Rear-End Collisions

A rear-end truck accident is one in which a truck collides with the back of a vehicle in front of it. Because semi-trucks are much heavier than other vehicles on the road, they take much longer to stop safely. If a truck driver is speeding, distracted, impaired by drugs or alcohol, or suffering from severe fatigue, they may not notice if a vehicle in front of them is slowing down or stopped. This can cause the truck to plow into the vehicle from behind. Rear-end accidents can also happen if a truck driver fails to yield the right of way at an intersection.

Jackknife Accidents

Semi-trucks are made up of two separate units connected at an articulation point: the cab and the trailer. When the trailer moves out of unison with the cab, it can swing out at an acute angle in a motion that resembles a pocketknife closing, which is where the term “jackknife accident” comes from. Many jackknife accidents are caused by truck drivers slamming on the brakes and losing control of their trailers. Common causes of jackknife accidents include:

Head-On Collisions

A head-on collision occurs when the front of a truck hits the front of another vehicle. Head-on truck accidents are generally the result of one of the vehicles crossing into oncoming lanes. A truck driver who is fatigued, distracted, or impaired by drugs or alcohol may drift out of their lane without realizing it and end up in the path of oncoming traffic. These accidents are especially dangerous because of the extreme forces involved and because of the size and weight disadvantage that passenger vehicles have relative to trucks.

Sideswipe Accidents

A sideswipe accident is one in which a truck strikes the side of a vehicle traveling laterally to it. Sideswipe truck accidents generally happen when vehicles are merging, passing, turning, or changing lanes. One of the reasons sideswipe truck accidents are so common is that trucks have significant blind spots to either side of them due to their length and height. If a truck driver does not carefully check these blind spots before maneuvering, they may not realize another vehicle is nearby until it is too late to avoid a crash. Distracted driving and impaired driving are two of the most common causes of sideswipe truck accidents.

Wide-Turn Accidents

You may have noticed stickers on the back of semi-trucks warning other drivers about wide turns. The length of the trailers – generally around 50 feet – means that trucks take turns at wide angles, putting nearby vehicles at added risk of collision. While other drivers should avoid being next to a turning truck, some wide-turn truck accidents are the result of truck drivers not checking their blind spots before making a turn.

T-Bone Accidents

A T-bone accident occurs when a truck hits the side of another vehicle traveling perpendicularly to the truck, forming a T-shaped wreck like that of the steak cut. In many cases, T-bone accidents occur because the truck driver failed to yield the right-of-way at an intersection and traveled into the path of traffic. Common causes of t-bone truck accidents include:

Injured? How Burch Law Firm Can Help You

Truck accidents are much more complicated than other motor vehicle accidents. They typically result in more serious injuries and can involve multiple at-fault parties. Consequently, you should consider hiring a truck accident attorney as soon as possible to maximize your trucking accident claim.

There may be multiple parties who are liable for the crash and multiple insurance policies at play, which can make pursuing compensation on your own particularly challenging. A truck accident lawyer from Burch Law Firm can gather evidence to support your case, negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance companies, and bring your case to court if necessary – giving you the time you need to focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Moreover, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means we don’t collect a fee unless and until we secure compensation on your behalf. You have nothing to lose. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Central Texas. Find out how we can help you demand the compensation and justice you deserve.