Truck Accident Freight trucks (also known as big rigs, semis, or tractor-trailers) help deliver so many things that we need to our communities – from groceries to furniture to gas and everything in between. Trucks travel New York freeways, roads, and rural routes every day. According to the American Trucking Association, all registered trucks traveled 304.9 billion miles in the U.S. in 2018.
Unfortunately, truck accidents are not uncommon. There may be many factors that may cause a truck accident to happen including mechanical failures, driver fatigue, unsafe driving, distracted driving, and/or driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol. When a truck accident happens with an automobile it often results in severe injuries or fatalities. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you may have a strong legal case. Contact our experienced New York truck accident lawyers to set up a confidential consultation.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Here are common types of truck accidents that may result in a legal case.
- Tire Blowout: Heavily loaded trucks can lead to a tire blowout where a driver may lose control and/or tire debris can hit cars around the truck causing an accident.
- Jackknife: A truck jackknifes when the cab turns more than a 90-degree angle from the trailer. Common causes of a jackknife include slick roads, hard braking or driver inexperience.
- Rollover: High winds or losing control of a truck can result in a rollover, where the truck rolls on its side. Rollovers can crush or severely damage any vehicle or object that it lands on.
- T-Bone: If a truck runs a red light or stop sign and hits another vehicle, a T-Bone accident occurs. A T-bone accident between a truck and a car is usually severe.
- Head-on Collision: Where a truck collides head-on with another vehicle. These accidents often result in serious injury or death.
- Blind Spot: Unlike a car, a truck has many blind spots. A blind spot accident can occur if a truck driver doesn’t see the automobile(s) when turning or changing lanes.
- Underride Accident: When a truck stops abruptly and the car behind it slides under the back of the truck. These accidents are often fatal.
- Rear-end Collision: This can occur if a car stops suddenly and the truck does not have ample time to stop. Unlike a rear-end collision between two cars, a rear-end between a truck and a car can cause significant injuries and damage.
At Kramer, Dillof, Livingston & Moore, we have dealt with many complex truck accident cases. One of our most notable truck accident cases was one where we obtained a settlement for the family of a 44-year-old man who was killed by a truck. The family received a settlement of $10.2 million from the company that operated the truck.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact our New York personal injury attorneys at (212) 618-6800 to set up a free consultation today.