Most Common Types of Truck Accidents and Their Causes

Commercial trucks are essential for transporting goods across Pennsylvania’s highways and beyond. However, when these massive vehicles are involved in accidents, the consequences can be devastating. Understanding the most common types of truck accidents can help drivers stay safer on the road and know what to expect if they’re ever involved in such an incident.

Truck accidents differ significantly from typical car accidents due to the size, weight, and complexity of commercial vehicles. These factors contribute to unique accident patterns and more severe injuries.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, the type of accident will affect how much compensation you are owed. The trucking accident attorneys at Lenahan & Dempsey can help you get the compensation you deserve.

1. Understanding Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents represent one of the most dangerous types of truck accidents on Pennsylvania roads. This type of accident occurs when the trailer of a truck swings out to the side, forming a V-shape with the cab that resembles a folding jackknife.

The physics behind jackknife accidents is complex but understandable. When a truck driver applies the brakes suddenly or loses control, the trailer can continue moving forward due to momentum while the cab slows down or changes direction. This creates a situation where the trailer pivots around the connection point with the cab.

Contributing Factors to Jackknife Accidents

Several factors contribute to jackknife accidents:

• Sudden Braking: Emergency stops on slippery roads or during unexpected traffic situations can cause the trailer to lose traction and swing outward.
• Wet or Icy Road Conditions: Reduced traction makes it easier for the trailer to slide sideways relative to the cab.
• Improper Speed: Taking curves or navigating hills at excessive speeds increases the likelihood of jackknifing.
• Equipment Malfunction: Brake system failures or issues with the trailer’s coupling mechanism can lead to loss of control.

The consequences of jackknife accidents extend beyond the truck itself. These accidents often block multiple lanes of traffic and can involve several vehicles as other drivers attempt to avoid the out-of-control truck.

2. Rollover Accidents: A Serious Threat

Rollover accidents occur when trucks tip over onto their side or roof. Large trucks are particularly susceptible to rollovers due to their high center of gravity and substantial weight distribution.

Commercial trucks have a much higher center of gravity compared to passenger vehicles, making them inherently less stable. When combined with factors like speed, sudden steering movements, or load distribution issues, this instability can result in catastrophic rollovers.

Contributing Factors to Rollover Accidents

Key contributing factors to rollover accidents include:

• High Center of Gravity: The elevated position of a truck’s cargo area makes it more prone to tipping during turns or sudden maneuvers.
• Excessive Speed: Taking curves, ramps, or turns at speeds too high for the truck’s stability limits.
• Unstable Loads: Improperly secured or unevenly distributed cargo can shift during transport, affecting the truck’s balance.
• Sharp Turns: Attempting to navigate tight corners or highway ramps without adequate speed reduction.
• Mechanical Issues: Tire blowouts or suspension problems can trigger rollover situations.

Rollover accidents are particularly dangerous because they often involve the truck crossing into opposing traffic lanes or blocking multiple lanes of traffic. The massive size and weight of commercial trucks make rollover accidents among the most destructive types of truck accidents.

3. The Dangers of Underride Accidents

Underride accidents represent some of the most terrifying types of truck accidents. These collisions occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck, typically during rear-end collisions or when trucks stop suddenly.

The design of truck trailers creates a significant hazard for passenger vehicles. The space between the road and the bottom of the trailer is often at the perfect height to allow smaller vehicles to slide underneath during a collision. This can result in the roof of the passenger vehicle being sheared off, leading to severe injuries or fatalities.

Contributing Factors to Underride Accidents

Underride accidents commonly happen in these situations:

• Rear-End Collisions: When a passenger vehicle cannot stop in time and crashes into the back of a truck trailer.
• Side Underride: When a vehicle slides under the side of a truck trailer, often during turning situations or when a truck is crossing an intersection.
• Sudden Stops: When trucks stop unexpectedly, and following vehicles cannot react quickly enough.

The federal government has implemented underride guard requirements for truck trailers, but these safety devices have limitations and may not prevent all underride accidents, particularly side underrides.

4. Rear-End Collisions Involving Trucks

Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks are among the most common types of truck accidents. Due to the size and stopping distance requirements of trucks, these accidents can occur in various scenarios and often result in significant damage and injuries.

Commercial trucks require much greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded truck traveling at highway speeds may need several hundred feet to come to a complete stop, compared to a passenger car that might stop in a fraction of that distance.

Contributing Factors to Rear-End Collisions

Common causes of rear-end truck accidents include:

• Following Too Closely: When truck drivers don’t maintain adequate following distance, they may not have enough time to stop if traffic ahead slows suddenly.
• Distracted Driving: Cell phone use, eating, or other distractions can prevent drivers from noticing changing traffic conditions.
• Brake System Failures: Mechanical issues with the truck’s braking system can make it impossible to stop in time.
• Driver Fatigue: Tired drivers have slower reaction times and may not respond quickly enough to changing traffic conditions.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, or ice can increase stopping distances and make rear-end collisions more likely.

Rear-end collisions can involve trucks hitting other vehicles or other vehicles hitting trucks from behind. Both scenarios can result in serious injuries due to the size and weight differences between commercial trucks and passenger vehicles.

Additional Common Accident Types

Beyond the primary categories discussed above, several other types of truck accidents occur regularly on Pennsylvania roads:

• Head-On Collisions: These devastating accidents often occur when trucks veer into oncoming traffic due to driver fatigue, distraction, or mechanical failure.
• T-Bone/Side Impact Accidents: Intersection accidents where trucks strike or are struck by other vehicles from the side can cause severe injuries due to the limited side-impact protection in most vehicles.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Commercial trucks have extensive blind spots, and accidents frequently occur when drivers fail to see vehicles in these areas while changing lanes or turning.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Trucks require extra space to complete turns, and accidents can happen when drivers swing too wide or fail to signal properly, catching other vehicles in their turning radius.

When Legal Assistance Is Necessary, Contact Lenahan & Dempsey, P.C.

Truck accidents are often far more complicated than typical car accidents. They frequently involve multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers, and require careful legal strategy to pursue the compensation victims deserve.

At Lenahan & Dempsey, P.C., our personal injury lawyers are adept at navigating the complexities of lawsuits arising out of truck accidents and can set forth compelling arguments in support of a claim for damages. With conveniently located offices in Scranton, Berwick, Tunkhannock, and the Pocono Mountains region, we have a proven history of helping clients injured in truck accidents pursue justice throughout Northeastern/Central PA and the Pocono Mountains Region and surrounding counties including cities and towns such as Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, Clarks Summit, Dallas, Kingston, Blakeslee, Wyoming, Dunmore, Carbondale, Nanticoke, Bloomsburg, Hazelton, East Stroudsburg, Mountaintop, Jessup, Forest City, and more.

Why Lenahan & Dempsey?

• Award-Winning Legal Representation: Eight of our attorneys are listed in Best Lawyers in America and Pennsylvania Super Lawyers.
• Proven Results: Hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for accident victims across the region.
• Client-Focused Legal Support: We manage every step of your case, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, don’t wait to protect your rights. You can reach Lenahan & Dempsey, P.C. at 570.356.0497 or through our online form to set up a confidential and free meeting with a truck accident lawyer in the Scranton area to discuss your case. We are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

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