In the 21st century, with more vehicles on the road than ever, it is hardly surprising that we are seeing more and more road traffic accidents. Even though the safety of our vehicles has improved due to airbags, seat belts, and roll cages that protect from the most serious accidents, we are still seeing a year on year rise.

Many of these, however, can be attributed to trucks as there are more of them on the road proportionally as we have more and more freight to be delivered around the country, and there is also the added complication that most truck drivers work long hours so are more susceptible to accidents. In order to be better protected, we are now going to take a look at the types of accidents that can occur when a truck driver breaks. 

Rear-end Accidents

Rear-end accidents tend to happen when the truck crashes into the vehicle in front of it, rather than somebody else crashing into the truck. There are several causes behind this type of accident but the main one is driver error, whereby they are not concentrating properly and end up tail-gating the vehicle in front. When that vehicle brakes the truck has to follow suit and their braking distance is longer so inevitably a crash will occur. These types of accidents are unfortunately common and can be very dangerous and can cause whiplash injuries to the car driver, as they are often unprepared for the accident, so the moral here is to always try and keep a safe distance from trucks.

Jackknifing 

Many people have heard of a lorry jackknifing. But do you know what jackknifing actually is? Well, a lorry has two parts, the truck where the driver sits, and the trailer at the back carrying the goods, and they are linked to each other by a moveable joint. When brakes are applied heavily or during a turn, especially in wet conditions, then the truck will go in one direction and the trailer will go in the other as they pivot about the hinge in the middle. The whole lorry can often skid from side to side and will then eventually fall on to its side, often blocking the whole road which can lead to a multi-vehicle pile-up. So, if you are another road user, be very aware of your position in relation to lorries during inclement weather. 

Cargo Accidents

Cargo accidents can be incredibly scary as they often happen without any notice and are uncontrollable due to the fact that the cargo becomes loose and has a mind of its own. What usually happens is that the driver brakes suddenly and then the shackles of the cargo break loose which can lead to the lorry shedding its load all over the road. Being caught up in this type of accident can be incredibly frustrating as the spillage may damage your vehicle or even you personally, so it is important to find a lawyer that you can rely on in order to receive any compensation that you are legally due for your injuries or the damage to your vehicle. The right lawyer can make the difference between losing your case on a technicality and receiving a positive outcome, so don’t skimp and do your research.

Head-on Collisions

These are possibly the most dangerous of all accidents involving a truck purely because of the sheer weight that the truck carries and the impact force when hitting something head-on. Indeed, these types of accidents can often end in a fatality so it is important to be incredibly wary when faced with a speeding truck. 

Often these types of accidents can be caused by the weather conditions but equally likely is driver error due to being under the influence of drink or drugs. Either of these scenarios can provoke a delayed reaction from the driver which means that the truck can skid and plow straight into an oncoming vehicle. Another cause can be tiredness due to the incredibly long hours that drivers lead, as they may simply nod off and collide with oncoming traffic. 

As we have learned there are several different types of accidents that can occur when a truck driver brakes. Often breaking accidents can be caused by the weather so head-on collisions become more likely, and if the driver brakes too late then the chances increase of them crashing into the vehicle in front. Jackknifing can lead to a lorry bringing a whole road to a standstill, can d cargo accidents can be especially dangerous to members of the public. So, before you head out to drive a truck, make sure you are of sound mind, and that the weather conditions are appropriate.   

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