Tractor-trailer accidents are often devastating. The fatal South Fulton County accident that occurred in March of 2019 is just one example of a semi-truck involved in a tragic accident. The truck driver involved was charged with “second-degree vehicular homicide, failure to yield, and obstruction of an intersection” after a motorist collided into the tractor-trailer, which was blocking the intersection while turning left.
Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a commercial truck accident to have deadly consequences. Tractor-trailer accidents make for tragic and complicated legal cases. There are many parties that could be held liable for a tractor-trailer accident, from the driver to the cargo-loader to the vehicle manufacturer.
If you or a loved one is a victim of a semi-truck accident, the tractor trailer attorneys at the Law Offices of Humberto Izquierdo can help you get fair compensation for your losses. We are experienced in handling a variety of tractor-trailer accidents, including these five common types:
Common Types of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Size, structure, and weight factor in to the severity of truck accidents. Tractor-trailers are massive machines that can legally carry 80,000 pounds. When you put the average car, which weighs between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, against that type of mass, the odds are heavily against the average motorist in a tractor-trailer accident. Spinal cord injuries, burns, dismemberment, and brain injuries are a few examples of how truck accident victims can be harmed. All of the following types of accidents have the potential to be fatal:
Tractor-Trailer Jackknife Accident
A tractor-trailer consists of the front cab and the back trailer. These two components hinge at their connection point. When the back trailer skids, it can push the cab around till the cab and trailer collide. The angle formed when this occurs resembles that of a folding knife. When the driver and trailer are facing different directions, there is little the driver or anyone in the vehicle’s path can do to avoid serious injury and damage. Slippery road conditions, quick braking, or defective rear brakes can cause this type of accident.
Tractor-Trailer Drive-Under Accidents
Drive-under accidents occur when a car drives under a semi-trailer. Tractor-trailer drivers have significant blind spots and may proceed into a turn or lane change without knowledge that you are in the vehicle’s path. Drive-under accidents often happen when a car operator is following too closely to be visible to the driver or to have time to prevent ending up beneath a trailer.
Tractor-Trailer Collisions
It takes much more power and time to slow or reorient a heavily-laden tractor-trailer than it does an average motor vehicle. When a semi-truck can’t stop in time to avoid hitting a car, intensive injuries are likely to be suffered by the car driver and passengers.
Collisions have a range of causes, including speeding, driving impaired, and distracted driving. In the case of truck drivers, drowsy driving due to lengthy shifts and deadlines can play a role.
Tractor-Trailer Rollover Accidents
When a tractor-trailer tips and rolls onto its side or upside down, catastrophic injuries can result for the driver and those in the vehicle's path. Rollovers are often the result of an imbalanced load or overloading the trailer. Tire blowouts can also cause a rollover accident.
Tractor-Trailer Runaway Accidents
In situations of failed brakes, tractor-trailers pose a major risk to anyone in the vicinity. With no ability to stop, and considerable weight behind it, damage to buildings, other motor vehicles, and motorists can be disastrous. Diligent maintenance, driver training, and frequent safety inspections of a tractor-trailer’s brake system are crucial to prevent this type of accident.
Runaway truck ramps are emergency exits for vehicles with brakes that have overheated and are no longer working. These ramps are commonly found on steep grades, where frequent and prolonged braking can compromise a semi’s ability to safely stop.
Contact our Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorneys
For a free consultation with one of our experienced truck accident lawyers, call our office today. We will evaluate the circumstances around the accident, assess the severity of your injuries, and get to the bottom of who is liable for your injuries. We offer our assistance at no charge, only accepting fees if we win your case.
We serve the communities of Atlanta, Cumming, Marietta, and the surrounding area of Georgia. Call us at 770-888-8901.
