Types of Truck Accidents
When big rigs collide with other vehicles, it takes many forms. Often, the type of traffic wreck may determine the extent of property damage and/or the severity of injuries. The common types of truck crashes that we tend to see include:
- Jackknife truck accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Underride collisions
- Head-on crashes
- Sideswipe, side-impact, or T-Bone wrecks
- Rear-end accidents
- Cargo spills
In many cases, these incidents are preventable, and are why injured victims may sue the at-fault party for negligence. Many 18-wheeler crashes are caused by one or more of the following:
- Fatigued driving – usually due to exceeding the FMCSA’s hours of service.
- Distracted driving – often due to checking texts from employers about freight pickups and drop-offs
- Defective truck parts, like failed brakes
- Following too closely, tailgating, or brake-checks by other vehicles
- Impaired driving due to alcohol intoxication or opioid/illicit drugs
- Improper cargo loading resulting in unstable freight or the truck itself toppling over on the roadway
- Overspeeding or reckless driving, like sudden maneuvers, last-minute merging, or preventing other vehicles from passing by straddling multiple lanes
Additionally, driver inexperience can lead to preventable catastrophes on the roadway. Adverse weather events, such as high winds and black ice, can also lead to loss of truck control or flipped vehicles. Whatever the cause of the crash, if other vehicles are struck and passengers are injured, the victims need to speak to a seasoned truck crash attorney in Boise about their legal options.
Proving Liability in an 18-Wheeler Accident
Although default liability may lie with the truck driver who was operating the large vehicle at the time of the crash, other parties may also be liable. One prominent example is the trucking company, which may be liable for unreasonable delivery timelines and/or hiring inexperienced drivers. Third parties, such as other motorists on the road, may also be liable, as well as the truck maintenance crew, vehicle parts manufacturer, or the loading crew. As long as the party contributed in some way to the wreck, they can be held accountable.
A truck wreck attorney needs to establish that the defendant(s) failed in their duty to ensure reasonable safety on the roadway, and that their failure to act responsibly caused the truck accident, which led to financial and other losses for the victim.
