Semi-truck collisions tend to be distinct in ways that set them apart from “average” car crashes. Wrecks involving commercial vehicles tend to be far more severe overall than collisions involving passenger vehicles.
Additionally, the unique structure of semi-trucks lends itself to unusual types of crashes that only occur when one driver is operating a commercial vehicle. What types of collisions frequently – or even exclusively – involve commercial vehicles, not passenger vehicles?
Jackknife incidents
Smaller vehicles like trucks and SUVs hauling trailers can jackknife in traffic. However, jackknifing incidents frequently involve large commercial trucks. These unique traffic scenarios arise when the momentum of the trailer hauled behind the cab begins moving in a different direction than the cab or tractor. The driver loses control, and the vehicle may end up swinging out across multiple other lanes of traffic. Jackknife incidents can lead to collisions involving multiple other vehicles and may completely shut down traffic on busy roads.
Underride collisions
When a passenger vehicle strikes a commercial truck at high speeds, the momentum involved can cause a unique kind of crash. The smaller vehicle may end up going under the bigger one, causing absolute devastation to the smaller vehicle.
Rear underride crashes are the most common. They occur when a passenger vehicle rear-ends a semi-truck. There are mandatory guards that trucking companies install on trailers to prevent such crashes. Side underride crashes are less common come up but they are also severe when they do occur. Transportation companies can install side underride guards, but many do not due to a lack of federal rules requiring them.
Rollover incidents
Vehicles should always keep their wheels on the ground. Manufacturers designing passenger vehicles often plan carefully to avoid rollover incidents. The uneven distribution of weight in a semi-truck and the connection of the vehicle to its load via a single point creates instability that might result in shifting weight distribution. Semi-trucks can roll over when turning or going around curves at high speeds. Other times, empty trailers might increase the risk of a rollover crash during times of heavy wind.
The most dramatic types of semi-truck collisions often occur because of something a commercial driver does or fails to do in traffic. Those harmed by commercial vehicle collisions may need to prepare for a complex insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Learning more about the unusual collisions associated with semi-trucks may benefit those hoping to recover after a crash.