Accidents involving18-wheeler trucks often cause significant injury due to their large size and density. Semi-truck accidents can quickly turn deadly. If you or a loved one has been involved in an 18-wheeler truck accident, contact an experienced and trusted Port St. Lucie Truck Accident Lawyer who can help you get the justice you deserve.
What causes 18-wheeler truck accidents to happen?
Typically, trucks are considered dangerous, but cars often carry more blame for accidents on the road. Cars are responsible for 80% to 91% of truck accidents. The main causes of collisions with 18-wheeler trucks may happen due to:
- Distracted or reckless driving
- Insufficient training
- Driver fatigue
- Defective mechanical parts
- Inadequate maintenance
- Overweight
- Poorly loaded cargo
Commercial truck drivers have a responsibility to not drive while impaired or tired to prevent any collisions and injuries from happening.
What are the most common types of 18-wheeler truck accidents?
All types of truck accidents can cause serious injuries on the road due to their sheer size and density. Listed are some of the most common types of truck accidents:
- Jackknife
- when the front of the vehicle and the trailer suddenly stop moving in unison
- Truck rollovers
- when a vehicle tips on its side or roof during a crash
- Tire blowouts
- when a sudden rapid loss of inflation pressure causes the tire to explode
- Head on
- when the front end of a large rig collides with the front end of an oncoming car
- T-bones
- when the front of a big rig crashes into the side of another vehicle
- Wide turns
- when a truck driver swings left to make a right turn, though he or she goes to, thereby colliding with cars to the right of the truck
- Blind spots
- when a truck is behind you or right behind you in the lane to right or left, and they cannot see you in a non-visible position
- Rear-ends
- when the front of one vehicle crashes into the rear of the vehicle in front of it.
- Underride
- when a smaller vehicle crashes into the side or back of a trailer and slides underneath
- Lost load
- when riding behind a truck and it suddenly tips over, losing all the contents inside
What are the most common injuries that are sustained from 18-wheeler truck accidents?
Unfortunately, each year, around 4,600 fatal accidents involving semi-trucks occur. Trucking accidents can turn deadly quickly, but lucky victims who survive the aftermath may face life-changing injuries. Even if your injuries seem minor, you must seek medical attention, as some injuries can be delayed. Some of the most common 18-wheeler accident injuries include:
- traumatic head and brain injuries
- severe neck and back injuries
- dislocated, broken, and fractured bones
- loss of limb (amputations)
- spinal cord damage that can lead to paralysis and paraplegia
- whiplash (could be detrimental in certain cases)
- disfigurement
- severe lacerations and burns
- serious internal injuries, including internal bleeding and organ damage.
All of these life-changing injuries could happen due to an 18-wheeler truck accident and can cause life-changing injuries.
If you or someone you care about was involved in a truck-related collision, contact one of our qualified and adept attorneys who can help you seek damages for any injuries sustained.
