While truck drivers can get into the same types of accidents as cars or motorcycles, there are some accidents that are unique to trucks and commercial vehicles. They include: Underride accidents An underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle collides with a commercial truck and goes underneath the truck’s trailer. These crashes generally occur when a car runs into the back or side of a large commercial truck. If a truck brakes suddenly or changes lanes in an unsafe manner, it could cause an underride accident. On the other hand, a driver may crash into the back or side of a commercial truck that is parked along the side of the road. These crashes can lead to serious and catastrophic injuries, and they are often fatal. The federal government has set forth various regulations to help prevent underride accidents. With adequate safety measures, many of these accidents may be avoided. If a negligent truck driver caused your wreck, we will help you file a claim to pursue justice. Under federal laws, truck drivers must: Install federally certified guardrails Provide proper maintenance for tail and brake lights Use reflective tape to increase the visibility of the truck Avoid parking in poorly lit areas on the road Failure to use safety equipment, such as reflective tape and guardrails, can increase the risk of a fatal underride accident. Furthermore, truck drivers must put out reflective hazard signs when the truck is parked alongside the road. If a truck driver brakes suddenly, drives in a reckless manner, or fails to comply with federal regulations, he or she may be held liable for any injuries that occur. Rollovers Truck rollover crashes result in thousands of injuries each year in the United States. Victims could suffer a variety of injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, lacerations, burn injuries, spinal cord trauma, soft tissue injuries, broken bones, accidental amputations, paralysis, and other catastrophic injuries. The most common causes of truck rollovers are: Driver error: Driver inattention, drowsiness, and poor driving behavior could cause a rollover accident. In fact, it is estimated that driver error is at least partly responsible for more than 75% of all truck rollover crashes. Speeding, failing to maintain the lane, and braking or accelerating suddenly could lead to a deadly accident. Drunk or distracted driving could also result in a truck rollover. Defective equipment: Poor maintenance on the truck itself has resulted in many rollover accidents. In one study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), about 55% of all truck rollovers were caused by a brake defect. Truck drivers and maintenance crews have a responsibility to ensure the truck is in proper working condition before each trip. Improperly loaded cargo: Imbalanced and overloaded cargo could cause the center of gravity to shift while the truck is moving. For trucks transporting liquid cargo, the sloshing of the liquid could throw off the balance of the truck. This could cause the cargo to tip over, resulting in a rollover crash. Jackknifes Tractor-trailers and 18-wheelers have two parts: a cab and a trailer. When a truck jackknifes, the cab and the trailer move near each other in a “V” formation, the way a pocket knife does. A jackknifed truck can hit multiple vehicles (and/or stationary objects) at once, which makes a jackknife a particularly dangerous type of event. Jackknifes are usually the result of speeding-related incidents, such as being unable to take a curve or turn, or hitting the brakes too hard in an attempt to stop. In some cases, they may be the result of poor road conditions or bad weather, or defective truck parts, like tires.