Truck accidents come in many forms, each presenting unique challenges and risks. Knowing the types of truck accidents can help you and your attorney determine the cause of the crash and identify liable parties. Liability often involves multiple parties, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, and maintenance providers.

At Piedmont Injury Law, our Kennesaw truck accident lawyers thoroughly investigate truck accidents to hold all negligent parties accountable. If you were hurt in a truck crash, call us at (678) 909-0770 today.

1. Jackknife accidents

A jackknife accident occurs when a truck’s trailer swings out at an angle to the cab, resembling a folding knife. This often happens when the truck skids during hard braking or slippery road conditions. Jackknife accidents can block multiple lanes of traffic, creating dangerous multi-vehicle collisions.

Common causes include:

• Sudden braking
• Poor weather conditions
• Driver inexperience or error

Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-241), drivers must exercise due care to avoid such accidents. Trucking companies may also share liability if improper maintenance or inadequate driver training contributed to the accident.

2. Rear-end collisions

Rear-end collisions involving trucks are particularly dangerous due to the significant force exerted by heavy commercial vehicles. These accidents often occur when:

• A truck follows another vehicle too closely
• The driver is distracted
• The truck’s brakes are poorly maintained

In Georgia, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-49 establishes that drivers must maintain a safe following distance. Violations of this law can be used to prove negligence in a truck accident case.

3. Underride accidents

Underride accidents happen when a smaller vehicle slides beneath a truck’s trailer. These crashes are often fatal due to the extreme damage inflicted on the smaller vehicle.

Common causes include:

• Lack of underride guards
• Sudden stops by the truck
• Poor visibility

Trucking companies must equip trailers with underride guards to reduce the severity of such accidents. Failure to do so may constitute negligence under Georgia law.

4. Rollover accidents

Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips over onto its side, often spilling cargo and causing secondary accidents.

Causes include:

• Excessive speed around curves
• Overloaded or improperly balanced cargo
• Driver overcorrection

Rollover accidents are particularly hazardous on Georgia’s interstates, where sharp ramps and high speeds are common. Holding the trucking company accountable for improper loading or training is crucial in these cases.

5. Blind spot accidents

Trucks have large blind spots, often referred to as “no-zones,” around the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle. Blind spot accidents occur when a truck driver fails to check these areas before changing lanes or turning.

To reduce risks, Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-48) requires proper lane usage, and drivers must ensure lane changes are safe.

6. T-bone accidents

T-bone accidents involve the front of a truck colliding with the side of another vehicle, often at intersections. The sheer size of a truck can result in devastating injuries.

Causes include:

• Running red lights
• Distracted driving
• Failing to yield

Under Georgia’s right-of-way laws (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-70), drivers must yield appropriately at intersections to prevent such accidents.

7. Wide turn accidents

Trucks need extra space to make wide right turns. Accidents can occur when a truck swings into an adjacent lane or strikes nearby vehicles or pedestrians.

Causes include:

• Misjudging space needed for a turn
• Failing to signal appropriately
• Neglecting to check for vehicles in adjacent lanes

8. Cargo-related accidents

Improperly loaded cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to lose balance or spill cargo onto the roadway. This can result in rollover accidents, jackknifing, or multi-vehicle crashes.

Georgia law and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) set strict standards for securing and loading cargo. Violations of these rules often indicate negligence by the driver or trucking company.

9. Tire blowout accidents

Tire blowouts can cause a truck driver to lose control, leading to collisions. Blowouts often occur due to poor maintenance, overloading, or defective tires.

Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-8-76) requires regular inspection and maintenance of commercial vehicles to ensure their safety.

How Piedmont Injury Law can help you after a truck accident

Truck accident cases are complex, requiring a deep understanding of federal and state regulations, as well as access to specialized evidence like driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data. Piedmont Injury Law has the resources and experience to build a strong case. We will:

• Investigate the cause of the accident
• Collect and preserve evidence
• Identify all liable parties
• Fight for maximum compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering

Truck accidents can be life-altering, but you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. Whether your case involves a rollover, rear-end collision, or cargo spill, Piedmont Injury Law is here to help.

Contact us today at (678) 909-0770 or online for a free consultation. Let us fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.