Types of Truck Accidents on New York Interstates

Due to the inherent risks of large commercial vehicles, truck drivers are expected to drive with extreme awareness and caution, as even a slight error can result in serious injury or death. When a trucker negligently operates a tractor-trailer or fails to follow federal trucking regulations, a truck accident can result. The type of truck accident that develops, and the severity of injuries sustained, often depends on the cause of the crash and how the truck driver responds to the situation.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

Regardless of the type of truck accident, the respected auto accident attorneys at Block O’Toole & Murphy have the experience and knowledge to handle even the most complex truck accident cases. Our lawyers have successfully brought various types of claims, including those stemming from the following:

Jackknife accidents: Jackknifing occurs when the trailer of a truck swings out and forms an acute angle relative to the cab. Large commercial vehicles, particularly 18-wheelers, are susceptible to jackknife accidents, which commonly occur when the driver applies sudden pressure to the brakes. Improperly adjusted brakes, downshifting and taking a turn too quickly are also common causes of jackknifing.

Rollover accidents: Rollover accidents typically occur when the trucker takes a turn too sharply while speeding. Additionally, if a truck’s center of gravity is altered, due to an unbalanced or excessive load, the truck may tip over. While all vehicles are susceptible to rollovers, trucks have a greater risk of being involved in a rollover accident due to their size and mass. In a study analyzing hundreds of truck rollovers, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that the most common cause of rollovers was failure to adjust speed at curves in the road, followed by driver inattention and errors in steering.

Underride accidents: A common type of trucking accident, an underride accident occurs when a passenger vehicle travels under the body of a trailer. These crashes often result in head injuries, brain injuries or decapitation to those inside the passenger vehicle. Although certain trucking companies are required to equip their vehicles with reflective tape and rear bumpers, many tractor-trailers still lack proper underride protections. Visit our page on underride accidents to learn more about these crashes and ongoing efforts to safely equip trucks to prevent them.

Head-on collisions: Colliding head-on with a large tractor truck is the stuff of many drivers’ nightmares. When a truck weighing up to 80,000 pounds collides with a passenger vehicle that weighs 4,000 or less, the results of a head-on crash are almost always devastating. Fortunately, they are also relatively rare. According to the FMCSA, these crashes make up only 3 percent of large truck collisions each year. Head-on (or frontal impact) collisions commonly occur on narrow, rural roadways, where vehicles must cross the center lane to pass other vehicles traveling in the same direction. Medical issues, driver impairment, speeding and poor visibility can all contribute to head-on truck collisions.

Rear-end accidents: Unlike head-on collisions, rear-end accidents are fairly common. According to the FMCSA, there are about 33,000 rear-end collisions involving tractor-trailers every year in the United States, making up more than 25 percent of all truck crashes annually. A multiyear study by the FMCSA found that most rear-end accidents involving trucks occurred when the truck did the striking (42,000 crashes), rather than being struck by another vehicle (28,000 crashes).

T-bone accidents: T-bone accidents occur when two vehicles collide perpendicularly, with the bodies of the vehicle forming a “T” shape. Also called “side-impact collisions,” these accidents can be devastating for motorists because the body of the passenger vehicle ends up taking much of the impact directly. This impact often results in serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal injuries and death.

Tire blowouts: Many motorists have experienced the annoyance that comes with a blown tire. However, when a blowout occurs on the massive scale of a tractor-trailer, it can go from merely annoying to extremely dangerous. When a large truck blows a tire, it can cause the driver (and other drivers on the road) to lose control of the vehicle or panic. This situation can sometimes lead to truck rollovers, flying debris and loosened loads, all of which pose additional dangers for motorists.

A Record of Results for Truck Accident Survivors and Victims’ Families

Our attorneys have secured favorable verdicts and settlements in a variety of cases involving large trucks. Notable results in truck accident cases include:

• $14 million jury verdict for a motorcyclist who had to have a leg amputated after being hit by a negligent truck driver
• $5,500,000 settlement for a client who required surgery after being sideswiped by a large semi-truck
• $5,000,000 settlement for the children of a woman who was struck and killed by a privately owned garbage truck

Please view our Motor Vehicle Accident Results page for more examples of our success holding negligent truckers and their employers accountable. Past results cannot guarantee a specific outcome in your case, but our attorneys draw on their experience and track record in every case to fight for the best possible result.

Call Today for A Free Case Evaluation

If you have been involved in a truck accident that caused serious injuries or the death of a loved one, the trucking company and its insurers are most likely already hard at work looking for ways to discredit and minimize your claim for compensation. These companies have extensive experience and resources geared toward minimizing their liability and avoiding full accountability for the harm they have caused. It is important to work with your own attorney, who can protect your rights while rigorously preparing your case.

At Block O’Toole & Murphy, our attorneys help motorists who were needlessly injured in trucking accidents involving 18-wheelers, semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles. With years of experience handling accident and injury claims, we have established a proven track record of providing compassionate and aggressive representation for our clients. We can help you recover compensation. To speak with us, fill out the FREE case review form on our website, or call our office at 212-736-5300. Your first consultation is free, and we only collect attorney fees as a percentage of any compensation we secure for you. Serving Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx and all of New York City and New York State.