New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers

Types of Truck Accidents

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports more than 400,000 trucking accidents on U.S. roadways every year. Nearly 4,000 people lose their lives in truck accidents and tens of thousands more are injured. Legal weight limits for commercial vehicles range from 20,000 to 80,000 pounds, which far exceeds the average 3,000 to 4,000 pound weight of a passenger vehicle. When cars and commercial trucks collide, the occupants of the smaller car or truck often suffer catastrophic injuries, resulting in lifelong pain and in some cases, permanent disability or death.

The New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP understand the devastating impact a truck accident can have on victims and their families. The high cost of hospital and medical bills, prescription medications, and physical therapy, in addition to lost wages due to long recovery periods can quickly deplete a family’s finances. Compensation for injuries and damages can help injured parties focus on their recovery and regain their quality of life.

Types of Trucking Accidents

There are a variety of commercial trucks on the road including dump trucks, trash and recycling trucks, tractor trailers, tow trucks, flatbeds, and tanker trucks. While most large trucks travel along highways and interstates, many also travel through residential areas. The most common types of trucking accidents include:

• Head-On or Rear-End Collisions: Truckers who are speeding, distracted, fatigued, or those who fail to properly maintain their trucks are most often responsible for this type of collision that can result in devastating injuries. Truck drivers that follow another vehicle too closely can plow into the back of those in front of them. Falling asleep behind the wheel, failure to obey local speed limits, and driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol are common factors in head-on collisions.

• Jackknife Accidents: Tractor trailers can jackknife when they slide or skid into a 90-degree angle. Slippery road surfaces can be to blame, but this type of accident commonly occurs as a result of equipment failure on the truck, or driver error. Vehicles in the proximity of a jackknife accident risk catastrophic injury if the truck hits or rolls over on them.

• Lost Load Accidents: Trucks carrying exposed cargo such as heavy construction equipment or materials, timber logs, or large containers must make sure that their cargo is secured properly to avoid it from becoming loose while in transit. Lost loads from trucks can cause chaos on the road as vehicles traveling behind these trucks swerve or stop short to avoid the falling objects. Multiple vehicles can be involved in collisions in this type of accident.

• No-Zone and Blind Spot Accidents: These types of accidents typically happen when truck drivers change lanes, back up, or make wide turns. There are four major blind spots known as no-zone areas on commercial trucks, making it imperative for truck drivers to be keenly aware of other vehicles that may enter these areas. Truck drivers must use extreme caution when maneuvering their trucks to avoid this type of big-rig crash.

• Rollover Accidents: Large trucks are prone to rollover accidents while making turns or when they encounter obstacles in their path. Sudden swerves, load shifts, and making turns at too high of a speed can result in a rollover that not only endangers the driver, but everyone else in the truck’s path. Rollover accidents are almost always preventable and most often result from distracted or poorly trained drivers.

• T-Bone Accidents: These types of truck crashes occur when the front of a truck hits the side of another vehicle. T-bone accidents are most common at intersections and are typically caused by one driver’s failure to observe a traffic signal or stop sign. Speeding, driver inattention, and drowsy driving are the most common causes of T-bone truck accidents.

• Underride Accidents: This type of accident occurs when a vehicle slides under the trailer of a truck in a collision. Injuries to the passengers in an underride accident are almost always fatal. Truck drivers must operate their vehicle safely and keep it properly maintained through regular inspection and maintenance to help reduce the risk of an underride accident.

• Wide Turn Accidents: Large trucks often need to swing to the right or left when making a turn. When they do this, vehicles in their blind spots can become wedged between the truck and another vehicle or curb. Serious injuries can occur when this happens. Truck drivers must ensure that they use the proper turn signals and slow down when making wide turns.

New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP Help Victims of Truck Accidents Claim Compensation

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a truck accident, the New Jersey truck accident lawyers at Eichen Crutchlow Zaslow, LLP can help you claim the compensation you may be entitled to receive. Call us at 732-777-0100, or contact us online to schedule a consultation today. Our Red Bank, Edison, and Toms River, New Jersey offices serve clients throughout the state.