Top 5 Commercial Truck Accident Types and How to Prevent Them
The top five types of commercial truck accidents are most often identified as rear-end collisions, lane-departure incidents, side swipes, rollovers, and turning-related crashes. A severe, preventable accident can end a career, even if no one is injured. Settlements for such accidents can range from hundreds of thousands to millions, especially with serious injuries or fatalities. Here are some facts to keep these risks in mind.
- Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end accidents account for about 23% of truck crashes, often resulting from distracted driving or following too closely. You know all about stopping distance, especially if you went to a driving school. It is the first thing drummed into your head. It is pretty easy to get complacent or over-estimate one’s reaction time and the worst feeling is when you know you screwed up and that it is too late to do anything about it.
- Lane-Departure Accidents: Accounting for around 18% of truck accidents, lane-departures are all described right there in the name. It is when you find yourself occupying a space which you didn’t devise plan to occupy. Predominantly due to fatigue, distraction, or loss of control, unintended lane departures can lead to severe accidents, especially on busy two-lane highways.
- Sideswipes: Roughly 10% of truck accidents involve sideswipes. These occur when a truck changes lanes without properly checking for other vehicles. Due to a truck’s large blind spots, these accidents are common and can easily cause serious damage to vehicles alongside the truck.
- Rollovers: Rollover accidents, making up around 9%, often happen due to excessive speed, sharp turns, or improper cargo loading. They are extremely dangerous because a rolling truck can block multiple lanes, crush other cars or pedestrians, rupture fuel or cargo tanks, potentially leading to pile-ups, or a litany of other consequences possible in a chaotic universe. Makes me think of the law of entropy for some reason.
- Turning Accidents: Around 8% of accidents involve trucks turning into oncoming traffic or misjudging turns, often at intersections. These incidents frequently occur when drivers fail to account for the time and space needed to make a turn safely. This one brings button hook turns, suicide lanes, and unprotected lefts to mind.
Each of these accident types emphasizes the need for the strict adherence to the best defensive driving practices, rigorous situational awareness, and a vigilant focus on your personal safety and the safety of those affected by your wake.
