With everything that you have to think about after a truck crash, the exact part of your car that was hit by the truck may not be top on your list of concerns. However, it is important information that could provide valuable insight into the cause of the crash, liability for the crash, and injuries suffered in the crash.
What Different Kinds of Truck Accidents Can Occur?
Some of the positions in which cars and trucks collide include:
- T-bone crashes. These types of crashes occur when the front of one vehicle collides with the side of another vehicle in a “T’ formation. These accidents can result in serious injuries especially if the truck does not have side underride guards to prevent cars from sliding underneath during a collision.
- Rear-end wrecks. Whether you were in front of the truck or in back of the truck, you may suffer serious injuries if you are involved in a rear-end collision with a truck. The injuries may depend on whether you are in front or back of the truck, the force of impact, and other factors.
- Head-on collisions. Head-on collisions are among the deadliest type of car and truck collisions. The angle at which the vehicles collide and the force with which they collide can be catastrophic—especially for the driver and passengers in the car.
- Left-turn accidents. Left-turn crashes often occur at intersections and are often caused by driver error. A trucker that is tired, drunk, or distracted may, for example, not see a car until it is too late to avoid a crash.
Additionally, when trucks are involved in single vehicle incidents they could end up colliding with a vehicle nearby on the road. This could occur if, for example, a truck is involved in a:
- Rollover accident. Trucks that are unbalanced or truckers who are speeding may make rollovers more likely. If no other vehicle is in the way, then it may just be the trucker who is hurt. However, if the truck rollover happens near another vehicle, then the motorists in that vehicle may also be at risk of injury.
- Jackknife accident. Similar to a rollover accident, a jackknife crash may only put the trucker at risk if no other vehicles are around. However, when the trailer of the truck swings away from the cab and another vehicle is in its path then the driver and passengers in that vehicle are also at risk.
In some cases the type of truck involved or the cargo that it is carrying can contribute to the complexity of the crash or your rights following the accident. Special considerations should be made, for example, if:
- The truck was carrying hazardous cargo. Dangerous chemicals or fuel, for example, could result in a fire or respiratory injuries.
- The truck was a government vehicle. Special rules, such as shorter time limits for filing an accident case, may apply if the truck involved in your crash was a government vehicle.
- The truck was a box truck. Box trucks can present different risks than 18-wheelers. However, drivers may still be negligent and serious injuries can result from crashes with delivery trucks, moving trucks, and other small commercial vehicles.
While each of these truck accident scenarios creates different injury risks, they are all serious.
And Our Experienced Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help If You’ve Been Hurt in Any of Them
Our Iowa truck accident attorneys will consider the type of collision that you were in as part of your investigation into the cause of your truck accident. Once we determine who caused your truck accident then we will fight hard to get you the fair and just recovery that you deserve from that party.
Your time to file a case and to pursue a legal recovery is limited by law. Accordingly, we encourage you to learn more about your rights as soon as possible. That can start as early as today! Contact us online or call us directly at 800.800.5678 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation at our Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, or Davenport office.
