When you went through driver’s training, you probably learned specific terminology for certain kinds of crashes. A T-bone crash, for example, occurs when the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another vehicle, often right in the middle.
Rear-end crashes occur when someone hits another vehicle from behind, while a sideswipe is an incomplete collision that often involves vehicles grazing each other. These crashes often produce more cosmetic damage than anything else.
Sadly, you may not have learned about all of the various kinds of crashes that can occur with commercial trucks. While a commercial vehicle can take part in a standard T-bone or rear-end collision, all too often, crashes with commercial vehicles are far more devastating.
Jackknife crashes occur when a driver loses control
When a commercial truck jackknives, the cab moves in a different direction than the trailer attached to the vehicle. This change in momentum and direction can cause the driver to lose control completely and for the truck to wind up blocking multiple lanes of traffic. Leaving plenty of space behind a commercial truck so that you have room to stop can help you avoid getting into a crash with a truck when it jackknives.
Rollover collisions occur with improperly loaded commercial trucks
Large SUVs are notorious for their potential to roll over either when maneuvered abruptly or during a crash. Their vertical height and high center of balance contribute to the likelihood of a rollover.
The same factors can affect a commercial vehicle, especially during highly windy weather or when warehouse workers improperly load the trailer of a truck. Having too much weight on one side of the vehicle or having room for products and materials to shift during transportation can lead to the vehicle flipping over when the driver turns or goes around a curve.
Underride collisions are unique to larger vehicles
As you might be able to guess from the name, and underride collision occurs when a smaller vehicle partially or even fully passes underneath a commercial truck. Underride collisions cause catastrophic damage to the smaller vehicles and are frequently fatal for the people in the vehicles.
The sad thing about all of these kinds of trucking crashes is that the size and momentum of commercial trucks can make it impossible for other people nearby to avoid a collision caused by an improperly loaded trailer or a driver who makes a bad decision at the wheel.
If you got hurt in a crash with a commercial truck or if you lost a loved one in such a collision, you may have the right to take legal action against either the driver of the truck, their employer or possibly even a third party, like the company that improperly loaded the trailer.