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Home > Personal Injury > Accidents > Trucks / Semis Accidents > How Trucking Accidents Happen
Truck Accident Lawyers
in Denver and throughout Colorado and Wyoming
How Trucking Accidents Happen
Trucking accidents can be devastating, resulting in severe injuries and death. Once the chain of events is set in motion, the sheer weight and momentum of a tractor trailer can make recovery impossible. Drivers of passenger vehicles can help avoid collisions with trucks by understanding how trucking accidents occur.
Click to view our video about "How Trucking Accidents Happen"
Jackknifing
When a truck folds as the trailer tries to pass the cab, it's called jackknifing. Sudden braking or turning, slippery roads, brake malfunction, and uneven road surfaces are just a few things that can cause a truck to jackknife. Malfunctioning brakes often involve a combination of the front brakes locking up and weak rear brakes, causing the cab to stop as the trailer stays in motion. Jackknifing can cause a crash or it can be the result of an impact. It often progresses into a rollover.
Turning accidents
Because trucks are long, they often have to make wide turns. This can mean taking up two lanes of traffic. Often, a truck will swing to the left before making a right hand turn, opening up a space to the truck's immediate right. If a car pulls into that space as the truck is turning it can be hit or crushed, without ever being visible to the truck driver.
Stopping Distance
Trucks require much greater stopping distance than passenger vehicles. Trucks that follow too closely do not allow themselves enough time and distance to stop if the car ahead brakes suddenly. This can mean rear ending the vehicle ahead, or triggering a jackknife in an attempt to stop quickly. Never cut off an 18-wheeler! When passing, be sure to allow ample distance between your vehicle and the front of the truck. Most truck drivers will flash their lights to let you know when you are safe to return to their lane.
Blind Spots
You may have seen the signs on some trucks that say, "If you can't see my mirrors, I can't see you." It's the truth! Trucks have blind spots that prevent them from seeing nearby vehicles and obstacles. A truck, changing lanes, can very easily collide with a vehicle that is in its blind spot. Proper training and experience teach drivers how to anticipate when a vehicle is likely to be in their blind spot and the proper actions to take to ensure that the path is clear. An unskilled or careless truck driver may not take such precautions. Most trucks are equipped with extra mirrors to minimize blind spots. As the driver of a passenger vehicle, you can reduce the risk of an accident by being aware of and staying out of blind spots whenever possible.
Equipment failure
Brakes, tires, couplers, turn signals, and steering components are just some of the parts that can fail on large trucks, and cause serious accidents. Trucking laws require regular inspections, but trucking companies do not always comply with inspection schedules and do not always maintain their vehicles. Additionally, equipment failure may be the fault of manufacturers or repair shops.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accident Lawsuits
Additional Truck Accident Questions
Trucking Accidents: Driver Fatigue
Trucking Accidents: Unrealistic Schedules
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in a trucking accident in Colorado, Wyoming or anywhere in the US, you will need an experienced trucking accident lawyer to represent you. Burg Simpson has the experience, and the resources, to ensure that you can recover the damages you deserve for your injuries and your losses. Please call or email our trucking accident lawyers today to schedule your free initial consultation.
