Three Common Types Of Truck Accidents And How To Prevent Them

Posted on: 27 January 2018

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 500,000 truck accidents happen every year. And each year, this type of accident is fatal for about 5,000 people. While not all of these accidents are the fault the truck driver, there are many things a truck driver can do to prevent accidents from happening.

Here are three common types of truck accidents and how to prevent them.

Jackknife

When a large truck goes into a skid with a trailer attached, the trailer can swing out and form a 90-degree angle with the cab of the truck. This type of accident is called jackknifing, and is often caused when a truck driver loses traction and brakes too fast and too hard. Some ways this type of truck accident can be avoided include:

  • Taking extra precaution when driving in inclement weather (or don't drive at all)
  • Checking the mirrors to see if the trailer is swinging, and if it is release the brakes
  • Leaving plenty of room for braking and if the need to brake arises, don't slam on them

Another tip to avoid jackknifing is to keep the trailer full. The more weight in the trailer, the less chance it has of swinging or sliding around.

Rollovers

If a truck driver completely loses control of the truck, it can cause the truck to slide and then roll over. This type of accident not only has the potential to cause serious injury to the driver and others, it can also cause the truck to be totaled. Most rollovers are caused by driver error, but they can also be caused by defective brakes and by carrying a partial load in the trailer.

Some ways to prevent rollovers include:

  • Obeying speed limits
  • Checking the brakes before each trip
  • Staying alert and avoiding distracted driving

Since shifting loads can increase the chances of a rollover, truckers that are driving a flatbed should ensure their load is properly tied down.

Wide Turn Crashes

This type of accident occurs when a truck driver has to swing the front of the truck to the left in order to make a right turn. When this happens, the truck can collide with vehicles on its right side. Some ways to avoid wide turn crashes include:

  • Being on the lookout for other vehicles in blind spots
  • Always using safety signals
  • Waiting for the traffic to clear before making a turn

If you do happen to get into a truck accident, and other drivers on the road were injured as a result, don't hesitate to call a truck accident attorney.

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