Just how often do truck accidents occur? Far more often than you might imagine, unfortunately. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in 2019 36 trucks were involved in fatal traffic accidents across the state of Nevada. It is important to keep in mind that even those who aren’t killed in these types of accidents can still suffer severe physical and mental injuries.
Truck Accident Statistics in Nevada
Below, we will be looking at some of the most common Las Vegas truck accident types. Having an understanding of these types of truck accidents can help to give you a better idea of just how dangerous they can be.
Jackknife Accident
These types of accidents happen when the back portion of the trailer swings out of line from the cab. Accidents like this tend to happen most often on slick road surfaces. Of course, mechanical failure or driver error can cause this type of accident, as well.
This type of accident has the potential to wreak havoc on multiple lanes of traffic because of the way the trailer swings.
Rear-End Crash
Crashing into the back of another vehicle is another common accident. These could occur because the driver is following vehicles too closely. However, it can also happen when a driver switches lanes in front of a truck and enters their blind spot.
Underride Collision
When a car or another vehicle hits the truck trailer and then gets trapped beneath, it is called an underride collision. This could occur when a truck attempts to change lanes where there is already another vehicle. It could also happen if a car hits the back or side of the trailer.
A lot of newer trucks have safety features that help prevent this from happening. However, older trucks are still on the road and can be dangerous.
Defective Equipment Accident
Sometimes, the drivers aren’t at fault. It might be a problem with the truck or parts that are on the truck. This could be an issue with the engine, the steering wheel, or the brakes, for example. It could lead to mechanical failures on the road. Even those who are trying to be safe could still end up in an accident.
Load/Cargo Shifts Accident
The cargo in a truck needs to be balanced properly and secured. Otherwise, there is a risk that the truck could end up getting into an accident. If the load is not balanced correctly or is shifting, it will be hard to keep control of the truck, especially when turning corners or taking hills.
Tire Blowout Accident
Tires can fail for a host of reasons. There could be a defect in the tire or something in the road that causes a blowout. Maybe something was missed during an inspection. Regardless, blowouts can and do happen, which can cause drivers to lose control of their vehicles.
Rollover Accident
When a truck turns onto its side, it is considered a rollover accident. This could happen from taking turns too harshly, brake failures, tire blowouts, unbalanced loads, and more. These types of accidents can be dangerous to any vehicles around the truck at the time.
Wide Turn
Driving a truck is not easy. Drivers often need to make wide turns so they don’t run into the curb. However, this can be disconcerting for those drivers who are in the truck’s oncoming path. In some cases, the truck driver might take a turn that is too wide and hit the cars in the opposite lane.
Head-On Collision
These types of accidents can be deadly. This happens when the truck and another vehicle hit one another head-on because one vehicle veered into the other’s path. Given the size of the truck, it’s easy to see who comes out on the short end of the stick here.
T-Bone Accident
This type of accident occurs when the front of the truck cab hits the side of another vehicle. These types of accidents tend to be most common at intersections.
Side Impact Accident
This occurs when the truck swipes the side of another vehicle. This happens most often when the truck driver changes lanes without properly looking or signaling. It has the potential to cause serious damage to the other vehicle and its occupants.
Failure to Maintain Truck Accident
Truck drivers and the trucking company are supposed to maintain their vehicles properly to ensure it is in good shape. However, not everyone keeps their trucks maintained, which could end up causing mechanical failures and accidents.
How Can an Experienced Las Vegas Truck Accident Lawyer Help You
Have you been injured in one of these truck crash types, or have you suffered some other sort of injury due to the negligence of someone behind the wheel of a tractor-trailer? If you or a loved one has been in an accident that was not your fault, you need to make sure the responsible parties are held accountable.
Get in touch with a reputable Las Vegas semi-trailer truck accident lawyer who can look at your case. The sooner you contact a personal injury attorney at Temple Injury Law, the better. They can let you know more about your options, whether you have a strong case, and the potential for you to recover damages. While recovery is the most important thing at this point, you don’t want to neglect to file a claim when you deserve compensation.
One of the important things you need to keep in mind is the statute of limitations. You will have two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. However, you don’t want to wait that long if you can help it. The sooner you hire legal counsel and get started, the better.
