Denver Personal Injury Attorney Explains the Different Types of Truck Accidents
Trucks play an important role in our economy, but they also pose a risk to other drivers on the road. According to Denver personal injury attorney Mark A. Simon, even a minor fender bender involving a truck could lead to serious or fatal injuries. To protect yourself, it’s important to learn about the different types of truck accidents that could occur on the road.
Jackknife
One of the most common types of truck accidents is the jackknife collision. This occurs when the driver of the truck slams on his brakes too quickly. Slamming on the brakes causes the truck’s trailer to turn outwards and create a 90-degree angle with the front cabin of the truck. When this happens, any vehicles that are next to the truck are in danger of being hit by the trailer, which can whip around in a matter of seconds. Learn more about a jackknife or brake accident.
Rollovers
There are several different ways that a rollover accident can occur. First, if the cargo is not loaded correctly on the back of the truck, the uneven weight distribution could cause the truck to roll over when the driver attempts to turn. A rollover accident can also be caused by worn down or defective tires that are unable to grip the road and keep the truck upright. Regardless of the cause, these accidents are very dangerous. Anyone who is driving alongside the truck only has a few moments to get out of the way before the trailer crashes on top of them.
Rear End
If a car rear ends another vehicle, it’s possible that both drivers will walk away with only minor injuries. However, this is not the case when a truck rear ends a car. Because of the difference in weight and size between the truck and the car, even a minor rear-end accident could lead to serious injuries.
It can be difficult to prevent a rear-end collision since you cannot control what the truck driver is doing. But, there is something you can do to protect yourself. If there is a truck driving behind you, make sure to leave plenty of space between your vehicle and the truck. If you cannot see the truck’s headlights in your rearview mirror, then you are too close to the truck. Either move to another lane or speed up to create more space.
Tire Blowout
A truck weighs tens of thousands of pounds, which is a lot for the tires to carry. If the tires are not properly maintained or if they are defective, they could blow out while the truck is in motion. This causes the driver to completely lose control of the truck, which puts everyone in grave danger.
If you are injured in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to seek legal representation from an experienced personal injury attorney. Mark A. Simon will immediately begin investigating the cause of the accident to determine who is liable for your injuries. Then, he will aggressively fight for the compensation that you deserve. Call us or contact Mark A. Simon to discuss your legal options during a free consultation.