Trucks bring food, medicine, clothing, and other daily necessities to Dalton, Georgia, and throughout the US. Without them, we would not have easy access to these necessities.
Trucks in general are bigger vehicles and if you get into an accident with a truck, your car and you and your passengers may suffer great harm. Trucks, semi-trucks, and 18-wheelers are heavy and especially large trucks like an 18-wheeler can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. With their extra weight, 18 wheelers and semi’s are harder to handle and maneuver than a passenger vehicle and need more time for slowing, braking, and stopping. For these reasons, big trucks are dangerous to other drivers.
Trucking accidents can happen for many reasons. Driver fatigue or negligence, the trucking company, the cargo loader, the truck manufacturer, and even the manufacturer of truck parts may be responsible. These are some of the most common types of truck accidents.
Common Types of Truck Accidents in Dalton and Georgia
Head-On
The most dangerous accident is when a big truck crashes into the front end of a passenger vehicle. The occupants are at great risk to die. A head on can be caused when a truck driver loses control of the truck and swerves into oncoming traffic.
Rear-End
Trucks going faster than the speed limit may not have enough time to slow down for a stop. If they are following too close, or a passenger vehicle stops suddenly, the truck can crash into the other vehicle and crush it on impact.
T-Bone (Side Impact)
The truck crashes into the side of a vehicle, frequently at an intersection. The full weight of the truck crashes into the vehicle, and may destroy it and cause catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Sideswiping
Big trucks need plenty of room to change lanes. When a truck driver doesn’t leave enough room or tries to change lanes too quickly, it can end up too close to another vehicle, hitting and scraping the side. Over-steering in curves and sudden braking can also cause a truck to slide or skid into other lanes and sideswipe another vehicle.
Brake Failure
The ability to brake efficiently is necessary for all vehicles. It is especially so for trucks. Even half-full, an 18-wheeler needs considerable braking power, or a driver cannot control the truck or stop in time. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Act (FMCSA) requires commercial truck drivers to conduct daily vehicle inspections, including brakes. Brakes may also fail if the truck company fails to maintain them, or if the brake’s components are not adjusted correctly.
Cargo Shift/Loss, Rollovers, and Tire Blowouts
Cargo must be securely loaded. Improperly loaded or secured, or overloaded cargo can lead to the cargo shifting and the driver losing control of the truck. Loose cargo can also fall off and strike another vehicle, starting a multi-vehicle pileup.
Cargo shift/loss and overloading can also cause a rollover, especially if the driver is speeding.
Tire blowouts can also lead to a driver losing control of the truck, leading to a rollover or other accident.
Jackknife
The trailer is attached to the tractor by a large ball hinge, keeping the trailer in a straight line behind the tractor. When a driver stops suddenly or improperly, inertia can keep the trailer moving after the tractor stops. The trailer then “jackknifes,” or swings around, until it finally stops. The trailer can hit vehicles in its path, injuring others. These accidents can happen on wet roads during bad weather, on curved roads, at higher speeds, or with bad or low lights.
Underride
This occurs when a smaller vehicle crashes into the back or side of a truck and slides underneath. The driver may not see a truck parked on the side of the road, or the truck’s driver may have just braked. While trucks in the US have panels to prevent cars from going underneath, they may not be strong enough to deflect smaller cars.
Blind Spots
Truck drivers cannot see everything around their vehicles and need a longer distance to see other vehicles. These “blind spots” are larger than those on a passenger car. Sideswiping and rear-end crashes are common when the driver is changing lanes or there is reduced visibility.
Joshua J. Smith -Dalton Truck Accidents Attorney
Georgia truck accidents attorney Joshua J. Smith is committed to helping those who have suffered injuries in Dalton truck accidents. He understands the needs of people who are going through the difficulty of an accident and works to help his clients get the help they need so they can get back to life.
We are located at 207 West King St, Dalton, GA 30720. Please call (706) 217-2095 for an appointment or contact us here on our website. If necessary, we can arrange to visit you at your home.
