Truck accidents are among the most devastating motor vehicle accidents. The size and weight disparity between commercial trucks and smaller vehicles can lead to catastrophic victim injuries or death.
Any truck collision can result in injuries, but some accidents are inherently more dangerous than others. Let’s look at three examples
Underride truck accidents
When a smaller vehicle slides underneath a large truck during a collision, it is an underride accident. The underride impact often causes the truck’s frame to enter the passenger compartment of the smaller vehicle, leading to severe injuries or fatalities. Modern trucks must have rear underride guards, but side underrides remain a significant risk due to the lack of mandatory guards.
Tanker truck accidents
Commercial vehicles that transport liquid cargo are often the cause of serious accidents. Due to something called “slosh dynamics,” liquid cargo tends to shift rapidly back and forth, altering the truck’s center of gravity repeatedly. This can lead to instability, making the vehicle prone to rollovers, especially during sharp turns or sudden braking. Tankers carrying hazardous liquids like gasoline or chemicals pose the extra risk of severe burns if a crash causes a fire or explosion.
Forestry truck accidents
Alabama has a massive timber industry, meaning that drivers must sometimes share the road with logging trucks. Since they carry heavy and uneven loads, they are prone to accidents. Load instability can cause the truck to tip over, especially on sharp turns or uneven roads. An additional risk is the danger of logs becoming projectiles in a crash, posing a significant threat to all road users.
It’s always important to use extra caution near dangerous trucks. However, if an accident and severe injuries occur, seek guidance to protect your injury compensation.