Truck accidents happen often on California’s roads and are among the most serious. When a large truck collides with a smaller vehicle, the size difference can make the crash catastrophic. Also, the different types of truck accidents can lead to a wide range of injuries.

Suppose you or someone you know has been involved in a truck accident. In that case, understanding the common accident types and the injuries they can cause is crucial for protecting your rights and securing compensation for your injuries or damages. This blog will outline the most common types of truck crashes and the injuries they may cause.

Types of Truck Crashes

There are various truck accidents, but the following are the most common:

  1. Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents typically involve large trucks, like semi-trailers or 18-wheelers, flipping over onto their roof or side due to sudden changes in the center of gravity (CoG). These accidents can lead to severe and life-threatening injuries.

Rollover truck accidents can occur due to many reasons.

  • Many semi-truck rollovers happen when drivers do not slow down when approaching curves in the road. Trucks are particularly prone to tipping over on on-ramps and off-ramps.
  • Drivers who fall asleep at the wheel or drive distracted increase the chances of rollovers.
  • Being tired or under the influence of alcohol or drugs can also impair judgment, leading to rollover accidents.
  • Rollover accidents can also result from wrong steering. It includes over-steering, not steering enough to stay in the lane, or overcorrecting, which can cause the driver to lose control.
  • Truck drivers must be mindful of their cargo. If the load shifts, it can create an imbalance that may lead to a rollover.
  • Mechanical issues with the truck, such as poor maintenance or manufacturing defects, can also contribute to these accidents. Common problems like under-inflated tires and brake failures can increase the chances of a rollover accident.

  1. Jackknife Accidents

Driving commercial trucks is more challenging than driving regular cars. It requires special skills, especially for handling and braking these large vehicles. If a driver brakes wrongly or makes a sudden sharp turn, it can cause a jackknife crash, which can endanger other motorists.

Jackknife accidents happen when the trailer of a large truck swings out, pushing the front part of the truck to one side, resembling a folding knife. The trailer can extend into the road and hit other vehicles, causing damage until it finally stops.

Even if the jackknifed truck does not hit other cars, it poses a serious risk for distracted drivers who might not see it in time. You should call 911 right away to alert authorities so they can redirect traffic and close the road section to prevent other accidents.

Common causes of jackknife crashes include:

  • Braking problems—Sudden or hard braking can lock the wheels and result in jackknifing. Truck drivers need to brake gradually for easier control.
  • Equipment malfunctions—Tire blowouts and brake failures are other leading causes of these accidents. Truck companies must ensure that their trucks are regularly maintained to help reduce these accidents.
  • Driver mistakes—Fatigue and distractions can lead to jackknife accidents. Proper driver training is essential for safety.
  • Road conditions—Winding or slippery roads can increase the chance of a jackknife crash due to shifting weight and less traction.
  • Improper loading—Unsecured or uneven cargo can create instability, making trucks more likely to jackknife. Proper loading is necessary for balance.

  1. Rear-End Truck Accidents

Passenger cars often rear-end other vehicles, causing injuries like whiplash. However, the risk increases when a truck or big rig is involved. A truck’s large size and weight make a rear-end accident more dangerous. For example, a rear-end impact with a truck can crush smaller vehicles, causing serious injuries or even fatalities.

Truck drivers must drive at lower speeds and keep a safe distance from other vehicles. This way, they can slow down gradually and avoid rear-end accidents. However, careless truck drivers who tailgate or show road rage can cause severe rear-end accidents.

Truck operators should follow FMCSA guidelines for following distances. These guidelines ensure they have enough time to stop in emergencies.

Common causes of rear-end collisions include:

  • Following too closely or tailgating another vehicle
  • Distracted driving, like texting while driving
  • Sudden stops
  • Poor visibility due to heavy rain or fog.

Even with careful driving, a rear-end crash can still happen, sometimes involving several vehicles in a chain reaction.

  1. Blind Spot Accident

Large trucks and rigs have blind spots, especially on their right side and at the rear, where a driver cannot see. Blind spot accidents often happen because of:

  • Poor monitoring—When truck drivers fail to check their blind spots properly
  • Vehicle positioning—Other cars staying in a truck’s blind spot for too long
  • Maneuvering errors—Sudden lane changes or turns by the truck or nearby vehicles

Drivers can lower the chances of blind spot accidents by:

  • Avoiding blind spots—If you are unable to see a trucker's reflection in the rig's side mirror, they likely will not see you. It means you are in the truck's blind spot zone and should move your car.
  • Truck drivers also need to check their blind spots. They must always be aware of the motorists around them since the large mirrors might not cover all blind spots.

  1. Interstate Truck Accident

Truck accidents on an interstate highway often happen because of:

  • High speeds
  • Driver fatigue
  • Complicated traffic

To help prevent these accidents, consider these steps:

  • Ensure the truck driver has enough rest—Proper rest is essential to fight fatigue during a long journey.
  • Keep a safe distance—You should stay far enough from trucks, as their weight requires more time to come to a halt.
  • Be aware of the traffic patterns—Knowing and predicting traffic flow can help avoid accidents.
  • Control your speed— Truck drivers should always maintain safe speeds on interstate highways.
  • Avoid sudden stops in front of a truck–Stopping suddenly in front of trucks can cause serious crashes due to their longer braking distances.

  1. Sideswipe Accidents

A sideswipe truck accident occurs when vehicles traveling in the same direction collide. This type of accident often happens when truck drivers do not check their blind spots properly before changing lanes or merging.

Other reasons for sideswipe accidents include truck drivers losing control due to strong winds, tire blowouts, road hazards, or bad weather. Additionally, intoxicated, distracted, or tired drivers may drive into adjacent lanes, causing accidents.

These accidents can be dangerous because the truck can push the sideswiped vehicle into other lanes, leading to multi-car collisions and increased damage.

  1. Head-On Collisions

Reckless or negligent driving can cause truck drivers to drift out of their lanes and into oncoming traffic, resulting in head-on collisions. These crashes can also occur at intersections when truck drivers ignore traffic signals or right-of-way rules.

A truck may crash head-on with another vehicle for several reasons:

  • Long hours on the road may leave truck drivers feeling tired.
  • Some may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or they might experience a mental lapse after using stimulants.
  • Tire blowouts can also cause a loss of control, causing drivers to swerve into oncoming traffic and increasing the risks of head-on collisions.

  1. Wide Turn Accident

Right-hand turns are often tighter than left-hand turns, so truck drivers should be careful when making a turn. Sometimes, truck drivers swing their cabs wide to the left before making a right turn to avoid a “right turn squeeze.” This situation typically happens when trailers lack enough room. The maneuver technique can create a dangerous situation for nearby vehicles, which can collide with the trailer or become trapped under the truck as it turns.

When turning, truck drivers should first get into the farthest lane of the road they are entering and then make a right turn into the nearest lane. This approach requires careful consideration of time and space but tends to be safer.

  1. Underride Accidents

Underride accidents are some of the most dangerous truck accidents. They occur when other vehicles collide with the back or side of a truck that suddenly brakes. This kind of accident can result in severe damage, frequently removing the tops of smaller cars. Simple side guards can prevent these accidents by stopping vehicles from sliding under the truck.

  1. Lost Load Accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets the rules for safely loading semi-trailer cargo. If truck drivers ignore these guidelines, cargo can fall off the truck while driving, and improperly secured loads can spill onto the road, leading to accidents for other drivers.

Common Injuries in a Truck Accident

Due to their heavy size, truck accidents frequently result in severe physical and mental injuries. Such injuries can completely change your life. Those injured usually need extensive medical attention and long-term care. The following are some of the common injuries from truck accidents:

Head Injuries

Head injuries are typically the most severe injuries from truck collisions. There are two main types of head injuries:

  • Open head injuries involve a fractured skull and injury to the head, skull, and brain.
  • Closed head injuries occur when the brain sustains injuries while the skull remains intact.

Both types of injuries are severe, but closed head injuries can quickly become fatal because there is no space for blood or swelling to escape. Head injuries can create pressure on the brain, potentially damaging it. A common closed head injury is a concussion, which can happen from a whiplash effect during a dramatic stop by a truck accident.

When the brain suffers severe or extensive damage, it is known as a traumatic brain injury, or TBI. These injuries are often permanent and can lead to:

  • Problems with cognitive function
  • Severe headaches
  • Difficulties with movement, coordination, and balance

People with TBIs may find it hard to work or perform everyday tasks. In some cases, they might need constant help and may require assisted living or nursing care.

Spinal Cord Injury

The spinal cord starts at the base of the brain and runs down the back into the pelvis. It is protected by strong bones called vertebrae. Nerves branch out from the spinal cord through tiny openings in each vertebra, reaching the arms, legs, hands, and feet. These nerves help with feeling and movement.

If a truck collision injures someone and damages their spinal cord, the person might lose some or all feeling or movement in parts of their body.

Severe spinal cord injuries can lead to paralysis, such as paraplegia or quadriplegia. A collision with a large truck may leave victims needing a wheelchair or confined to bed.

Back and Neck Injuries

People involved in truck crashes often experience serious back and neck injuries. It happens due to the violent motion of being jolted back and forth when struck by a large truck. Such movement can cause the spine and vertebrae to shift. The discs cushion the vertebrae and may become damaged or misaligned, potentially pressing on nerves and the spinal cord.

Common neck and back injuries include herniated discs, dislocated discs, and nerve damage. Because truck accident injuries are usually severe, victims often need surgery on their neck or back to help reduce the intense pain. A standard procedure doctors use in treatment is fusion surgery, where they join multiple vertebrae together to prevent additional harm to the spinal cord and nerves.

These neck and back injuries can be life-altering, leaving some victims unable to lift heavy items again.

Broken Bones

Truck accidents also cause broken bones. Often, the fractures are so severe that surgery is necessary to fix them. In some cases, doctors use painful devices like pins, screws, plates, and rods to stabilize the bones during healing.

Internal Injuries to Organs

The massive force from a truck crash can break ribs and injure organs, even though the rib cage and muscle layers shield our internal organs. Injuries to the lungs, liver, kidneys, and heart can lead to extreme pain and permanent disability.

Wrongful Death

The most serious outcome of any truck accident is wrongful death. Even minor truck collisions can lead to fatalities. While no one can replace your loved one, families can seek compensation through a fatal accident claim. It can help you regain financial stability and begin the healing process.

Burns and Lacerations

Burns and lacerations may occur in truck accidents involving fire or dangerous materials. Burns can vary from first-degree to third-degree, often requiring extensive medical care and surgeries. Lacerations can cause heavy bleeding and scarring. These injuries can be excruciating, lead to significant physical changes, and usually require long recovery periods.

In addition to physical injuries, victims may also suffer mentally. Victims may experience:

  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)—Going through a traumatic event like a truck accident can trigger PTSD. Symptoms can include flashbacks, intense anxiety, nightmares, and persistent thoughts about the incident.
  • Depression—A serious injury can lead to deep depression. Changes in lifestyle, loss of mobility, or ongoing pain can create feelings of hopelessness and sadness.
  • Anxiety—Survivors may develop various anxiety disorders, fearing driving or being in vehicles, which can disrupt their daily lives and independence
  • Emotional Distress—Victims often deal with emotional issues like anger, irritability, and mood swings. Coping with the aftermath of a truck accident can be exhausting both physically and mentally.

Dealing with the Aftermath of Truck Accidents

Immediately taking action and planning for the long term are crucial after truck accidents. The first steps help ensure safety and can aid in your legal claim. Recovery after a truck accident includes both physical and emotional healing.

Immediate Actions to Take

After a truck accident, you should focus on safety and gather key information about the accident. Seek medical help right away, even if injuries seem small. Some symptoms might not appear until later, so a quick check-up can uncover hidden problems.

Carefully document the accident scene. Use your phone or camera to take pictures of the vehicles, road conditions, and any visible injuries. Collect information from everyone involved, including insurance details, driver’s licenses, and contact information for witnesses.

Healing and Recovery

Many accident victims benefit from physical therapy, which helps them regain strength and movement. This process can take weeks or even months, depending on the injuries' seriousness.

Emotional healing often requires counseling or therapy. You should deal with any trauma or anxiety from the accident for overall health.

Support from family, friends, or support groups can provide emotional help and help with daily tasks during recovery.

Find a California Truck Accident Law Firm Near Me

If you are involved in a truck accident caused by the truck driver’s carelessness, you can seek legal help. The injuries from such truck accidents can vary from small cuts and bruises to broken bones or serious internal injuries. In California, a personal injury lawyer can help you claim compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.

We at the Truck Accident Injury Attorney Law Firm can help you determine the cause of your truck accident and identify who is responsible for your injuries. With our team of personal injury attorneys fighting for your rights, you can feel confident that we will work to maximize your financial compensation. Call us today at 888-511-3139 to begin your rollover truck accident claim in California.