Mississippi highways witness a significant amount of commercial truck traffic, making accidents involving these large vehicles not an uncommon sight. Given their size and weight, trucks can cause severe damage, leading to catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. Understanding the different types of truck accidents is crucial for victims aiming for a successful claim in these unfortunate circumstances.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck swivels towards the cab, forming an acute angle. This precarious situation often results from sudden braking or slippery roads. The aftermath can be disastrous, as the truck becomes uncontrollable, endangering all vehicles nearby.
Rollover Accidents
Rollovers are among the most dangerous types of truck accidents. Factors leading to a rollover include high speed, sharp turns, and improperly loaded cargo. In such cases, the truck tips over its side or roof, posing a significant risk to the truck driver, nearby vehicles, and pedestrians.
The aftermath of a rollover accident is often catastrophic, resulting in severe injuries or fatalities. For the truck driver, their elevated position and the massive size of the vehicle can lead to complex, high-impact crashes that complicate rescue efforts and medical treatment. Nearby vehicles risk being crushed or trapped under the overturned truck, potentially leading to multi-vehicle pile-ups. Pedestrians near the accident scene are not spared either; they face the risk of being struck by the truck itself or by debris scattered during the rollover.
Override Collisions
Given the heavy weight of commercial trucks, stopping them abruptly is challenging. This difficulty frequently results in rear-end collisions with smaller vehicles ahead on the road, especially in congested traffic or sudden halts. The impact can cause severe injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle.
Implementing safety measures and technologies in commercial trucks is crucial to mitigating the risk of override collisions. Advanced braking systems, such as Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), significantly improve a truck’s stopping power and control under heavy braking conditions. Additionally, adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance systems can sense the distance and speed of vehicles ahead, adjusting the truck’s speed accordingly to maintain a safe following distance.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents are particularly dangerous and occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the rear or side of a truck and slides underneath. Because of the height difference, these accidents often cause major damage to the vehicle and its passengers.
This type of collision often results in severe injuries or fatalities, mainly because the top of the passenger vehicle is crushed or sheared off, leading to limited survival space for the occupants. The vehicle’s passenger compartment is the most vulnerable area during such crashes, where conventional safety measures like airbags and seatbelts may offer insufficient protection against the intrusion of the truck’s trailer.
T-Bone Accidents and Wide-Turn Collisions
T-bone accidents happen when the truck’s front crashes into another vehicle’s side. Similarly, wide-turn collisions occur when a truck making a right turn swings to the left, trapping or hitting vehicles in adjacent lanes. Both scenarios can lead to serious injuries and property damage.
Recovering Compensation Following a Truck Accident Injury
The path to recovery and justice after a truck accident can be complex and demanding. Knowing the type of accident you’ve been involved in is just the starting point. The statute of limitations to file a Mississippi claim is three years. After that, the court refuses to hear the case. Partnering with a knowledgeable Mississippi truck accident lawyer is critical. An experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal intricacies, ensuring you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries, damages, and losses.
The Diaz Law Firm: Lawyers for Truck Accident Injuries
The Diaz Law Firm offers a free consultation if you have been injured by a negligent trucker or the company they work for. Our team can help with any collision, whether a commercial truck accident or another. In a free review of your case, you can get answers to your questions and learn what compensation options are available to you. Contact us at (601) 607-3456 or (800) 459-2222 for a free consultation and review of your case. You can also contact us online.