TRUCK ACCIDENT ATTORNEY FORT WAYNE

TYPES OF COMMERCIAL TRUCKS

Although we are perhaps most familiar with single cab tractor trailer trucks, there are actually a number of different kinds of vehicles that are regularly used on public roads that fall under the category of large trucks, including:

• Flatbed trucks, which have an open trailer and are often used for transporting odd-shaped cargo, such as lumber, logs, and construction equipment. Because they don’t have a roof or walls, these trucks must be carefully loaded, as cargo is much more likely to come loose in a collision.
• Dump trucks, which are most often used to transport loose materials like gravel, dirt, sand, and trash. Because they are so top heavy, these types of large trucks are more likely to be involved in rollover accidents.
• Tanker trucks, which are used to transport liquids, such as oil. In fact, most of the liquids that are transported via tanker truck are flammable or hazardous, putting tanker trucks at a much higher risk of exploding after a collision. Liquid cargo is also more likely to shift during a trip, which can cause the driver to lose control and the vehicle to roll over.
• Semi-trucks are the most common type of commercial truck, and as such, are also involved in the most truck accidents. Semi-trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making them extremely difficult to stop if drivers fail to implement proper braking procedures. These kinds of commercial trucks also have a high center of gravity and so are more prone to rolling over, especially if caught in a crosswind or when a driver is making a tight turn.

Regardless of the type of commercial truck involved in an accident, these types of collisions almost always result in severe property damage or physical injury, making it especially important for truck accident victims to consult with an experienced attorney about collecting compensation for their losses.

COMMON TRUCK ACCIDENT CAUSES

Truck accidents can usually be attributed to one of a few different causes, which include:

• Truck driver fatigue;
• Driving while intoxicated;
• Speeding, swerving, or otherwise driving aggressively;
• Driving while distracted;
• Tire blowouts caused by a lack of maintenance;
• Mechanical failure due to an inherent defect or a lack of maintenance; and
• Cargo spills resulting from improper loading procedures.

Recognizing that truck accidents pose a serious risk to anyone on the road, the federal government instituted a series of regulations with which trucking companies and their drivers must comply. These rules cover a wide range of issues, including mandatory break times, vehicle weight limits, safety inspections, and how to properly load or unload cargo. Unfortunately, not all drivers and their employers abide by these rules, which can lead to serious accidents, including but not limited to multi-car pile-ups, rollovers, underride accidents, rear end collisions, and jackknife accidents.

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