Over 100,000 injury crashes involving large trucks occur yearly, and nearly 5,000 trucks are involved in fatal crashes. 

Trucks are taller, longer, and significantly heavier than passenger vehicles, which makes them more difficult for operators to maneuver. In heavy traffic or at high speeds, trucks can be tough to handle when avoiding cars, people, animals, or other obstacles on the road. 

The most common types of truck accidents you could experience include the following:

Underride Accident

Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle, like a passenger car, hits a semitrailer and slides underneath. Such accidents often happen when a car driver is following a truck too closely, and the truck stops or turns suddenly. Underride accidents can cause severe injuries to the individuals in the passenger vehicle when the trailer crushes the upper half. 

Override Accident

Override accidents happen when the truck drives over a vehicle in front of them, crushing it underneath the truck’s cab. These accidents sometimes occur when a truck operator follows a passenger vehicle too closely. Smaller cars can also cause override accidents when they suddenly pull in front of a truck, stop, or change direction. A large truck may need more time to stop or swerve, especially at high speeds. 

Sideswipe Accident

A sideswipe accident happens when one vehicle’s side strikes another’s side. This type of accident is common for large trucks with significant blind spots on either side. Drivers of small cars may not realize the truck operator cannot see them. A truck driver may think they have a clear space to change lanes and hit the smaller vehicle they couldn’t see. 

T-Bone Accident

T-bone accidents happen when the front of a vehicle hits the side of another. Such accidents are often due to distraction or inattentive driving. Drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way or obey traffic signals can also cause T-bone accidents. 

Rollover Accident 

Rollover accidents are one of the most dangerous truck accidents for truck operators. They occur when the trailer loses balance and rolls over. Often, rollovers happen when the truck is driving too quickly around a curve. However, they may also occur when a semi-truck takes a corner too tightly or swerves to avoid another vehicle or obstacle.

Jackknife

When the trailer of a semi-truck pivots around the hitch until it touches the side of the cab, it is called a jackknife. Jackknifes can happen when a truck tries to stop or turn with a heavy load. Icy, snowy, and rainy weather can create slippery conditions that reduce tire grip and allow the trailer to slide.

Turning Accidents

Due to their large trailers, semi-trucks often need more space to maneuver around corners. When cars pull up beside a turning truck at an intersection, the truck can strike them or even run them over with the trailer. Similarly, a truck driver could misjudge and take a turn too wide, putting the front of their vehicle into oncoming traffic.