Due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks, truck accidents often lead to catastrophic consequences. Trucks weigh up to 80,000 pounds, while the average car weighs around 3,000 pounds. This massive difference results in severe impacts during collisions, leading to severe injuries or even fatalities that drastically affect victims' lives.

Catastrophic truck accidents, such as rollovers, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, and jackknifes, demand immediate attention and expertise. Truck accidents not only cause substantial damages but also involve multiple parties and complex regulations. These parties could include the drivers, manufacturers, or truck owners.

However, with an experienced personal injury lawyer, you can file a claim and receive the compensation you deserve. If you can prove negligence by the at-fault parties, possible damages include pain and suffering, property damage, and loss of wages. Below are the eight deadliest types of truck accidents, their causes, consequences, and legal implications for victims in California.

Truck Rollover Accident

Truck rollover accidents occur when a truck flips onto its side or roof. These accidents lead to multi-vehicle collisions and severe injuries. Rollovers can be caused by various factors, including:

  • Taking curves or turns at excessive speeds, hence causing a truck to lose balance and rollover

  • Improperly Loaded Cargo. Uneven or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, destabilizing the truck and increasing the risk of a rollover.

  • Fatigue, distraction, or impaired judgment leading to poor handling of the vehicle

  • Slippery, uneven, or poorly maintained roads

The consequences of truck rollover accidents are often severe. Victims can suffer from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and other life-threatening conditions. Additionally, rollovers can lead to hazardous material spills, posing environmental and health risks.

Rear-end Truck Driver Accidents

Rear-end truck accidents occur when a truck collides with the vehicle in front of it. These accidents are particularly hazardous due to the immense force of the impact caused by the truck's weight and speed. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), rear-end collisions account for approximately 22% of all truck accidents in the USA.

The major causes of rear-end truck accidents are:

  • requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance. Trucks require significantly longer stopping distances than passenger vehicles. A fully loaded truck traveling at highway speeds can take up to 40% longer to stop.

  • Fatigued truck drivers have slower reaction times, which can lead to delayed braking and rear-end collisions.

  • . These distractions can cause truck drivers to miss changes in traffic conditions.

  • Excessive speeding. Driving over the speed limit reduces the time and distance needed to stop safely.

  • Mechanical Failures. Brake failures or other mechanical issues can prevent a truck from stopping in time.

Rear-end collisions involving trucks often cause severe injuries or fatalities for the occupants of the smaller vehicle. Common injuries include whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and fractures.

Head-on Collisions

These crashes are among the most catastrophic accidents due to the significant force of impact when vehicles moving in opposite directions crash. Head-on collisions often cause severe injuries or fatalities, particularly for the occupants of smaller vehicles.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), head-on collisions accounted for 10% of all fatal crashes in 2020, with a substantial proportion involving large trucks. Also, 29% of fatal crashes involving large trucks were head-on collisions. These collisions accounted for 57% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths.

Head-on collisions typically cause devastating injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, internal organ damage, and fractures. The fatality rate in head-on collisions is significantly higher compared to other types of accidents due to the direct force of impact.

Careless overtaking is the leading cause of head collisions in California. Many drivers disregard California Vehicle Code 21751, which mandates that drivers make sure the left side of the road is visible and accessible to oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance before attempting to pass another vehicle.

Another cause, driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, comes second. California Vehicle Code 23152 prohibits drunk driving.

Other causes of head-on collision accidents are:

  • Improper passing

  • Poor road conditions

  • Driver fatigue

Jackknife Accidents

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck's trailer swings out to the side, forming a 90-degree angle with the cab, resembling the shape of a folding pocket knife. These accidents are hazardous because the swinging trailer can collide with multiple vehicles, causing a chain reaction of crashes.

In 2019 alone, jackknife accidents accounted for 5% of all large truck accidents in the USA. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that jackknife accidents are more likely on wet or slippery roads, with a higher incidence during adverse weather conditions. Wet or icy conditions reduce tire traction, increasing the likelihood of jackknifing. Moreover, jackknife accidents are more prevalent among long-haul trucks due to the extended driving hours and increased risk of driver fatigue.

mandates that trucks be equipped with adequate brakes capable of controlling the movement of and stopping the vehicle.

Excessive speed, particularly on curves or downhill slopes, can lead to losing control. This act of negligence is punishable under California Civil Code 1714. Therefore, if a negligent truck driver causes an accident that causes your injury, you can pursue compensation with the help of your truck accident lawyer.

Sometimes, the truck driver could tailgate your car, flouting California Vehicle Code 21703. The statute requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance, which is crucial for preventing sudden braking that can lead to jackknifing. Abrupt braking can cause the trailer to swing due to the momentum.

Jackknife accidents can cause severe injuries or fatalities, particularly for occupants of vehicles caught in the trailer's path. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and internal injuries. Additionally, jackknifed trucks often block multiple lanes, leading to secondary collisions and extensive traffic delays.

T-bone Collisions

Many T-bone accidents happen at intersections when a truck driver fails to yield the right of way. California Vehicle Code 21800 governs the right of way at intersections. Some of the rules for uncontrolled and controlled intersections include the following:

Uncontrolled Intersections

  • At any intersection without traffic control signals or stop signs, motorists must yield the right-of-way to motorists who have already entered the intersection from a different highway.

  • If two vehicles simultaneously enter an intersection from different highways, the driver on the left must yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

Controlled Intersections

  • When two vehicles simultaneously enter an intersection from different highways and the intersection is controlled from all directions by stop signs, the driver on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

  • The motorist approaching a yield sign must slow down to a reasonable speed for the conditions and stop if required for safety. After slowing or stopping, the driver must yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard.

The motorist intending to turn left at an intersection or into a private road, alley, or driveway should yield the right-of-way to a motorist approaching from the opposite direction that is close enough to constitute an immediate danger. Also, the car driver about to enter or cross a highway from any public or private property or an alley must yield the right-of-way to all traffic on the highway that is close enough to constitute an immediate hazard.

A driver emerging from an alley, driveway, or building must stop immediately before driving onto the sidewalk or sidewalk extending across any alleyway. The driver must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian in the sidewalk area. Upon entering the roadway, the driver must yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching the roadway.

Trucks running red lights or stop signs can also cause side-impact collisions with vehicles legally passing through intersections.

Moreover, distractions such as texting or eating can cause truck drivers to miss traffic signals or other vehicles, leading to T-bone collisions. Alcohol or drug impairment significantly increases the risk of running red lights or failing to yield. Excessive speed can cause a truck driver to be unable to stop in time, causing a side-impact collision.

Causes of T-bone collisions are:

  • Failure to Yield – Many T-bone accidents happen at intersections when a truck driver fails to yield the right of way.

  • Red Light Running – Trucks running red lights or stop signs can cause side-impact collisions with vehicles legally passing through intersections.

  • Distracted Driving – Distractions such as texting or eating can cause truck drivers to miss traffic signals or other vehicles, leading to T-bone collisions.

  • Impaired Driving – Alcohol or drug impairment significantly increases the risk of running red lights or failing to yield.

  • Speeding—Excessive speed can cause a truck driver to be unable to stop in time, causing a side-impact collision.

T-bone accidents often cause severe injuries or fatalities, especially for the occupants on the side of the vehicle that is struck. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, internal injuries, and, in severe cases, fatalities.

Sideswipe Accidents

Sideswipe accidents occur when two vehicles traveling in the same or opposite directions make side contact. Due to their size and weight, these types of accidents can be particularly dangerous when involving large trucks. Sideswipe collisions often happen when a truck changes lanes without noticing a vehicle in its blind spot or when a truck drifts into another lane due to driver distraction or fatigue.

Trucks have extensive blind spots, known as “no-zones,” on all four sides. Failure to check these blind spots before changing lanes can cause sideswipe collisions. Other truck drivers use their phones, eat, or engage in other activities to distract themselves when driving.

Truck driver fatigue coils cause the truck driver to move from their lane and sideswipe the car traveling on its side. Long hours on the road can lead to driver fatigue, causing trucks to veer into neighboring lanes, against the provisions of California Vehicle Code 21658. Also, failure to signal or check mirrors when changing lanes can cause sideswipe accidents.

Sideswipe accidents can cause vehicles to lose control, leading to rollovers, spin-outs, or secondary collisions. Common injuries include whiplash, fractures, concussions, and other traumatic injuries. In severe cases, sideswipe accidents can lead to multi-vehicle pile-ups, increasing the risk of serious injuries and fatalities.

To prevent such accidents from happening, the following are possible preventive measures:

  • Equipping trucks with blind spot monitoring systems can help reduce the risk of sideswipe accidents.

  • Comprehensive training for truck drivers on checking blind spots and signaling can help prevent sideswipe collisions.

  • Implementing fatigue management programs and adhering to hours-of-service regulations can reduce the risk of fatigue-related sideswipe accidents.

Wide-Turn Accidents

When a truck makes a wide turn, often swinging into adjacent lanes or onto sidewalks, it could cause a road accident. These types of accidents, often called wide-turn accidents, can cause severe damage and injuries to vehicles, pedestrians, and property.

Trucks, particularly those with trailers, require extra space to make turns, which can be challenging in urban areas with tight corners and heavy traffic. California Vehicle Code 22100 requires drivers to make turns in the appropriate lane and in a safe manner that does not impede other traffic. Another statute, California Vehicle Code 22101, states that drivers must follow posted signs and signals when making turns. If the truck operators ignore the rules, they could cause an accident. Also, a truck driver must yield the right of way when making left turns or U-turns per California Vehicle Code 21801.

Wide-turn accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and fatalities, especially for occupants of smaller vehicles and pedestrians. Common injuries include fractures, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, and internal injuries. Property damage is common, as trucks may collide with buildings, traffic signals, and other structures.

Underride Accidents

Underride accidents are other types of catastrophic truck accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a truck, often resulting in catastrophic damage and severe injuries or fatalities to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. Underride crashes often lead to the vehicle's roof being sheared off, resulting in fatal head and neck injuries.

The severity of underride accidents often results in fatal or life-threatening injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, decapitations, spinal cord injuries, and severe lacerations. Survivors may face long-term disabilities and require extensive treatment. The following factors cause underride collisions:

  • Lack of underride guards or those that do not meet safety standards; hence, failing to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath

  • Abrupt stops by the truck, causing trailing vehicles to collide and underride the trailer

  • Low visibility due to weather conditions, inadequate lighting, or the absence of reflective markings on the truck

  • Driver inattention. Both truck drivers and drivers of smaller vehicles may fail to maintain a safe following distance or to notice sudden changes in traffic conditions.

  • Excessive speeding

Possible Compensation for Victims

After a truck accident, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation and damages. These cover the financial, physical, and emotional losses suffered due to the accident. These include:

  • . Truck accidents frequently result in severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment. Filing a claim can help cover the costs of hospitalization, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care.

  • . Serious injuries can prevent you from working, leading to a loss of income. A truck accident claim can compensate for lost wages and diminished earning capacity.

  • . Beyond financial losses, truck accidents often cause significant physical pain and emotional distress. Damages for pain and suffering can help address these non-economic damages.

  • . A claim can cover the costs of repairing your vehicle or replacing any other property destroyed in the collision.

  • . These are damages for the negative impact on the victim’s relationship with their spouse or family, for example, loss of companionship, affection, and sexual relations.

  • . This damage covers the diminished ability to enjoy day-to-day activities and hobbies the victim engaged in before the accident.

Consult a Truck Accident Lawyer Near Me

Truck accidents are extremely dangerous due to the significant size disparity between trucks and smaller vehicles. When a truck collides with a car, the outcomes can be catastrophic. Consulting a specialized truck accident lawyer can significantly impact the outcome of your case, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve.

At the Truck Accident Injury Attorney Law Firm, we are dedicated to helping victims file truck accident cases and secure the compensation they deserve. With our expertise in truck accident cases, we can provide the legal support you need to recover from your injuries and rebuild your life.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a California truck accident, contact us at 888-511-3129 for a thorough legal consultation.