What Are the Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?

Have you been injured in a truck accident in Cincinnati? You are not alone, and you and your family have rights. The best way to protect those rights is to consult a truck accident lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio.

From 2019 to 2023, there were 8,453 accidents involving commercial vehicles in Hamilton County. The majority of these crashes occurred in and around Cincinnati. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, 25 of these accidents resulted in fatalities and 115 led to serious injuries.

The Cincinnati truck accident lawyers at Burg Simpson can help you pursue fair compensation. Our attorneys are well-versed in different types of collisions involving 18-wheelers.

Call Burg Simpson at 513-852-5600 ASAP to speak with a truck accident lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio. Your initial case evaluation is FREE and 100% confidential.

What Is the Most Common Type of Truck Accident?

A truck accident is any type of collision between a large truck and a passenger vehicle, bicycle, or pedestrian. Less commonly, it may consist of a collision between two or more commercial trucks.

People outside the truck (i.e., the occupants of passenger vehicles and non-motorists) are much more likely to be seriously injured or killed in a truck accident. The different types of truck accidents include:

Angle Collisions

The latest report on Large Truck and Bus Crash Facts from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that angle collisions are the most common type of crash between large trucks and other motor vehicles. An angle collision is any type of accident where the front of the truck collides with the side of another vehicle. They are also known as side-impact, broadside, or T-bone collisions.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end crashes are the second most common type of truck accident. Front-to-rear collisions account for approximately 23% of fatal truck crashes and 34% of truck accidents resulting in injury.

Head-On Collisions

No matter what types of vehicles are involved, a head-on collision is one of the most serious types of auto accidents. The large size of semi-trucks makes head-on collisions with smaller vehicles extremely dangerous. Overall, head-on collisions make up approximately 15% of all truck accidents.

Sideswipe Accidents

A sideswipe collision occurs when one side of a vehicle makes contact with the side of another vehicle. Crashes between vehicles traveling in the same direction are more common than those where the vehicles are traveling in the opposite direction, although both have the potential to result in injury or death when a large truck is involved.

Jackknife Accidents

Commercial trucks are unique in their size, shape, and the types of cargo they carry. These factors create additional risk factors for accidents. One of the most notable—and feared—of these collisions is the jackknife accident.

Jackknife accidents occur when the back end of an articulated truck (the trailer) swings to one side of the cab. This causes the driver of the truck to lose control, potentially resulting in collisions with one or more vehicles.

Rollover Accidents

A truck rollover is a frightening event to witness, let alone to be involved in. Truck rollovers may be caused by a variety of factors, from excess speed and unsafe maneuvers to improper loading of cargo and high winds.

Wide-Turn Accidents

Big trucks need a lot more room to turn than the average vehicle. This, combined with the large blind spots truck drivers have to contend with, increases the risk of an accident when an 18-wheeler is turning.

Underride Accidents

An underride accident occurs when a vehicle collides with a truck and slides underneath the cab or trailer. These accidents are highly likely to result in the death of the driver and passengers of the smaller vehicle.

Cargo-Related Accidents

A truck’s cargo needs to be properly loaded and secured. Serious accidents may occur when there are issues with the cargo, from truck rollovers to objects falling off the truck and into the road.

Tire Blowouts

Improper maintenance can lead to the failure of key components and systems. Tires are the most frequently cited vehicle-related factor in truck accidents. A tire blowout is of particular concern, as it can cause the driver to suddenly lose control of the truck.

Tire blowouts may occur due to negligent maintenance and repairs or due to defects with the tire itself. Accidents caused by defective tires may be grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer.

What Is the Main Cause of Truck Accidents?

Many different factors can lead to a truck accident. A truck accident lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio, can investigate to determine what caused the crash and identify all responsible parties.

The main causes of truck accidents include:

• Speeding: Research by the FMCSA shows that speeding is the most common cause of truck accidents.
• Distracted driving: In crashes caused by truck drivers, the FMCSA found that distraction was the second leading factor. Distractions may include talking on the phone or radio, texting, eating, wandering thoughts, etc.
• Fatigue: Truck drivers are on the road for prolonged periods of time. Fatigue compromises judgment and focus, increasing the likelihood of a wreck.
• Reckless driving: Driving too fast, ignoring stop signs and traffic lights, and improper passing are all examples of reckless driving that can lead to a crash between a semi-truck and one or more vehicles.
• Failure to check blind spots: Tractor-trailers have large “No Zones” at the front, back, and along the sides. While motorists have an obligation to avoid the No Zones, truck drivers are responsible for checking their blind spots before changing lanes. Failure to do so can end in a collision.
• Aggressive driving: Tailgating and cutting off other drivers are examples of aggressive behavior that increase the risk of an accident.
• Impaired driving: Drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs are both serious offenses. Truck drivers may face criminal penalties as well as civil liability for accidents where impaired driving was a factor.
• Overloaded, unbalanced, or unsecured cargo: Serious accidents may occur if the cargo on the truck exceeds federal weight limits or does not conform with the rules for securement. Multiple parties may be held liable, from the driver for failing to inspect the cargo before the trip to the company that loaded the cargo.
• Poor maintenance of the truck: Knowledgeable review of the service records for the truck and/or trailer may reveal that the vehicle is poorly maintained. The trucking company and one or more third parties may be held responsible for inadequate maintenance and repairs.

In addition, factors such as hazardous roads and inclement weather may all contribute to a truck accident. Ultimately, the only way to arrive at a specific cause and ascertain what legal rights you may have is to seek legal counsel without delay.

According to the National Safety Council, people in other vehicles make up 70% of deaths and 73% of injuries in truck accidents. There is a significant imbalance of power between trucking companies and insurance carriers on the one hand and accident victims on the other. Hiring an experienced attorney is essential for leveling the playing field and pursuing fair compensation.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Cincinnati, Ohio

Burg Simpson has extensive experience representing clients in complex personal injury claims. Truck accidents are challenging due to the severity of injuries victims often face, the amount of compensation they may be due, and the role of multiple defendants in causing crashes.

After a truck accident, you need qualified support and guidance. Our lawyers have an in-depth understanding of the different types of truck accidents, as well as the evidence and expert testimony needed to prevail in these claims.

For a FREE case review, contact Burg Simpson today. Our truck accident lawyers serve clients in Cincinnati and throughout Ohio.