Types of Truck Accidents

Maryland Personal Injury Attorneys

Due to their massive size and weight, commercial trucks often cause more severe accidents than regular passenger vehicles. In order to drive tractor-trailers safely, truck drivers must take extra precautions to account for a truck’s decreased stopping distance, large blind spots, wide turn radius, and other limitations.

Unfortunately, Maryland truck accidents still occur at a steady rate. The severity of any given accident often depends on the type of truck accident that has occurred.

Understanding Truck Accident Types

Most truck accidents fall into the following categories:

• Rollover accidents – Even at a very low speed, large trucks can easily tip over. Once tipped, the weight of a truck’s cargo often triggers a rollover. Unbalanced or improperly-secured loads can contribute to rollover truck accidents.
• Jackknife accidents – If a truck skids and the trailer starts pushing the cab from behind, the entire truck can spin around backwards, resulting in a “jackknife.” This is most often caused by equipment failure or improper braking techniques, but it can also be the result of hazardous road conditions.
• Rear-end collisions – Due to the limited stopping distance of a tractor-trailer, rear-end accidents are common. They can be caused by everything from driver fatigue to brake failure.
• Head-on collisions – This is by far the most deadly type of truck accident. Even at slow speeds, a head-on collision can cause serious injuries. They are typically caused by fatigued truckers who temporarily fall asleep at the wheel, causing the truck to drift into opposing traffic.
• Brake failure – Truck brakes are more complex than car brakes; they are specially-designed to handle the immense force of pressure that it takes to bring a large truck to a stop. Unfortunately, because of their complexity, they also malfunction easily. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires truck brakes to be frequently inspected and well-maintained to ensure their safety.
• Override / underride accidents – If a passenger car collides with the end or side of a semi-truck’s trailer, it is possible for the car to become forcibly lodged beneath the trailer. Override and underride truck accidents often result in catastrophic injury or death for those involved.

Experienced Maryland Truck Accident Lawyers

The attorneys at Chaikin, Sherman, Cammarata & Siegel, P.C. have been handling truck accident claims for decades. We know what evidence to look for in order to link your injuries to each of the accident types above, and we will steadily pursue compensation from each party that is responsible for negligence in your accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Maryland truck accident, please contact us today for a free consultation. We can help you obtain the financial help you need to make a proper recovery.