A significant part of California’s economy depends on big trucks that are helpful in transporting goods across the country. However, the concern is that the size and weight of these trucks often lead to major accidents on the road, situations where a truck accident lawyer is often required to help victims understand their legal rights. The consequences of such accidents can be devastating.
Understanding what are the common types of truck accidents will aid in avoiding the situations and improve the chances of effectively navigating the aftermath complications.
Table of Contents
Types of truck accidents
There are different kinds of truck accidents that you probably can come across while riding on the roads of California. Let’s see typical truck collision types here.
Rear-End Collisions
Rollovers
Drifting/Driving Off a Roadway
Tire Blowouts
Underride & Override Accidents
Jackknife Accidents
Blind Spot Accidents
Head-On Collisions
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions
Lost Load Accidents
Brake Failure Accidents
Hazardous Material (Hazmat) Spills
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
Drowsy Driving / Fatigue Accidents
Reckless Driving/Speeding Truck Accidents
Distracted Driving Truck Accidents
Wide-turn accidents
Rear-End Collisions
These kinds of collisions are very common truck accidents. Such accidents occur when a truck hits the rear side of the other vehicle. As the trucks require considerable stopping distance, these kinds of accidents will most likely happen during sudden stops or heavy traffic. Every vehicle stands closer during traffic jams. In such scenarios, moments of distraction can lead to a rear-end collision.
As per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end car accidents contribute to 29% of overall U.S. crashes.
Common causes of rear-end collisions:
Distracted driving
Tailgating
Speeding
Drunk driving
Dangerous road conditions
Adverse weather conditions
Brake failures
Defective Auto Parts
Drowsy driving
Typical rear-end collision injuries:
Depending on the type of crash, the injuries can be minor or fatal.
Whiplash and Neck Strain
Back and Spinal Injuries
Shoulder and Arm Injuries
Back strains
Slipped or herniated disk
Spinal stenosis
Spinal fractures
Traumatic Brain Injury
Face and Eye Injuries
Soft Tissue Damage
Amputations
Burns
Types of compensation to recover after a rear-end collision
Economic damages:
Medical expenses
Loss of income
Reduced earning potential
Vehicle repair costs
Non-Economic damages:
Emotional distress
Reduced quality of life
Loss of enjoyment
Punitive Damages (in rare cases)
If the at-fault driver is found to be reckless or acted negligently, the court will award punitive damages.
Rollovers
Rollover accidents are among the deadliest truck accidents. These accidents happen when a truck tips over its roof or on its side. As such incidents can involve multiple vehicles, the consequences are very serious. If the load of the truck shifts suddenly, the center of gravity of the truck collapses, leading to instability of the truck.
What causes a rollover?
According to the FMCSA, over 80% of truck rollovers occur due to the driver’s error. Other common causes include:
Overloading or Improper Loading
Lack of training
Maintenance negligence
Reckless Maneuvers
Speeding
Mechanical Failures
High Center of Gravity
Poor weather conditions
Road conditions and designs
Truck rollovers cause major injuries
When a truck rollover happens, the victims of the accident are at major risk of severe injuries or even death. Since the heavy load of the truck can translate into a huge force, the smaller vehicle will have serious damage.
Some of the major injuries due to rollovers are:
Head and brain injuries
Neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Amputations
Back injuries
Burns
Fatal injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Who is held liable for a truck rollover?
Determining the liability for the truck rollover is a complex task. Based on the situation, there could be more than one person liable for the collision. Hiring a skilled attorney helps in identifying the underlying cause of the collision, and they will find out the potentially liable parties for the accident.
Drifting/Driving Off a Roadway
When a commercial truck or semi-truck unexpectedly leaves the road and deviates from its lane, it puts everyone into a dangerous situation. As the trucks will be moving on a multi-lane road (interstate pathway), drifting or driving off the roadway will also force other drivers off the road.
Common causes of drifting or driving off the road truck accidents
Driver fatigue
Distracted driving
Speeding or losing control on curves
Uneven loading
Mechanical failures
Poor weather or road conditions
Exceeding weight capacity
Traffic violations
Your legal course of action after a drifting or driving off the road truck accident
After the truck accident, you should contact the emergency helpline first
You have to get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t have any visible injuries
Collect and preserve evidence of the accident scene and other injuries, and damages
Avoid speaking with insurance adjusters or others
Contact a truck accident attorney to handle legal complications
Truck Tire Blowouts
Large trucks typically have 18 wheels and are paired side-by-side. If any of these wheels blow out on the road, the truck will lose its control and can rollover or swerve into another lane.
A truck tire blowout can happen in a fraction of a second and may lead to severe injuries and fatalities. The explosion of the truck’s tire can tip the vehicle off balance. Even a skilled driver may lose control of the vehicle.
Common causes of truck tire blowouts:
Improper tire maintenance
Excessive load weight
Manufacturing defects
Underinflated/ overinflated tires
Road hazards
Wear and tear
What causes the accident after a truck tire blowout?
There are several aspects that may lead to an 18-wheeler collision. These cover:
Loss of control over the truck
Flying tire debris can hit the vehicle
Sudden braking or erratic maneuvers increase the risk of an accident
Improperly secured cargo may get loose during a tire blowout, and the sudden shift can lead to an accident
Underride & Override Accidents
Underride accidents happen when smaller vehicles slide under the side or rear of the large trucks.
Cause of underride accidents:
When a truck suddenly stops, and a smaller car that follows the truck can’t prevent sliding under the truck
Poor visibility
If the truck changes lanes or turns without an adequate signal
A lack of reflective tape
An override accident can occur if the truck’s front end on the roadway crashes into the back side of a passenger car.
Common causes of override accidents:
Speeding or aggressive driving
Truck drivers driving too close behind passenger cars
Fatigue
Distracted driving
Brake failure
Jackknife Accidents
When looking at the most common truck accident types, the next comes the jackknife accidents. These accidents happen when the back of the trailer of the truck swings forward and creates a sharp ‘V’ shape, and the driver loses control over the truck and causing an accident.
When the truck swings extensively into a jackknife position, it bangs drastically into other vehicles. During truck jackknifes, there is a possibility for multi-vehicle collisions.
What Causes a Jackknife Accident?
Human errors:
Rash driving around the downhill or curves
Sudden hard braking or maneuvers
Driver fatigue
Lack of driver training
Mechanical issues:
Fault brakes
Worn tires
Improper or unbalanced cargo
Weather conditions:
Rain, snow, or strong winds
Slippery roads
Icy roads
Poor visibility in fog
Why are jackknife accidents very dangerous?
As these accidents occur on the roadways and can happen quickly and without any warning signals, they are hazardous to other vehicles, too.
The loss of control of a driver can put the other lives on the road at risk.
Can end up in multi-vehicle collisions
If the wheel of the truck loses traction, it will flip over, resulting in traffic congestion and serious property damage.
“Jackknife” truck accident example
A snowfall leads to a slippery road surface. If a semi-truck driver loses vehicle control and tries to make an abrupt brake, it leads to a jackknife accident.
Blind Spot Accidents
Trucks have certain blind spots, which are the typical areas where the driver can’t see other vehicles. These areas are called no-zones. Vehicles caught in such areas can be sideswiped if the truck collides or changes lanes without seeing those vehicles.
The risk of blind spot accidents is higher among semi-truck accident types, as the trucks have many larger blind spots.
Where are the blind spots of a truck?
Front blind spot – at least 20 feet in front of the cabin
Rear blind spot – extends up to 200 feet behind the truck trailer
Left blind spot – One lane of traffic to the truck’s left side
Right blind spot – two strips on the truck’s right side and covers backwards
Ways to Avoid Blind Spots around 18-Wheelers
Keep a safe travelling distance behind the truck
Don’t take too much travel time in the blind spot. Pass quickly in a safe manner.
If you are changing lanes, give early warning signs
Be cautious at intersections
Avoid changing lanes closely behind or in front of the large commercial truck.
Head-On Collisions
When you are thinking about ‘what are the common types of truck accidents’, here comes the head-on collisions that occur when a truck swings into oncoming traffic. If the truck crashes head-on with the other vehicle on the road, it will lead to severe consequences.
Head-on crashes are destructive since these accidents combine the force of both vehicles. Head-on collisions contribute significantly to fatal truck accidents each year.
Some common causes leading to head-on truck collisions:
Speeding
Violating traffic rules
Distracted driving
Intoxication
Drowsy driving
Poor truck maintenance
Impaired driving
California Laws That Govern Head-On Collisions
Negligence law:
California adheres to pure comparative negligence, which means that if the victim is found to be partially at fault, they can still recover damages. However, the percentage can be reduced by the level of fault.
Right-of-way rules:
According to the Vehicle Code Section 21650 of California, the driver violating the rule is liable for a collision.
Distracted driving law:
Drivers should avoid using handheld electronic devices. If it is found to be used, it is evidence of negligence.
Impaired driving law:
Drunk drivers are accountable for collisions.
T-Bone (Side-Impact) Collisions
A T-Bone collision, also called a side-impact collision, can happen if the truck collides into the side of another car, most likely at intersections. In such accidents, the passengers on the other side of the vehicle are exposed to serious injuries. Since the immense weight of trucks takes time to stop, large commercial trucks often lead to T-bone collisions.
Common scenarios leading to T-bone collisions
Running red lights /stop signs
Unsafe left-hand turns
Braking errors
Distracted driving
Failure to yield
Excessive speed
Aggressive driving
Driving under the influence
Either driver in the accident can be at fault
If one of the two drivers doesn’t ensure the right of way to the other vehicle, a T-bone collision can occur. Determining fault in these accidents needs evidence, police reports and witnesses.
Lost Load Accidents
Lost Load Accidents happen when the cargo falls off the truck due to not being secured properly or being overloaded. In rare cases, the cargo can collide with another vehicle when it falls from the truck. Based on the type of cargo, the severity of consequences can vary.
A CHP report says that more than 50,000 overweight violations occur across the commercial vehicle inspection stations of California.
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. The cargo of such vehicles must be properly loaded and secured to avoid falling out or shifting from the truck.
Legal Weight Limits and Guidelines
In California, as per the vehicle code section 35551-35796, the maximum gross weight allowed for trucks is 80,000 pounds.
Core limitations cover:
The maximum gross weight of the vehicle should be 80,000 pounds
Single axle: 20,000 pounds
Tandem axles: 34,000 pounds
For weight distribution across axles, the bridge formula is applicable
Brake Failure Accidents
Commercial truck brakes should be maintained to the highest safety standards. They have to be constantly checked and replaced to avoid any mishaps. Fully loaded trucks typically can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. If brakes don’t function properly, the stopping distance will be increased. This extra time and distance can often lead to catastrophic injuries to other drivers and passengers if the truck results in chain-reaction collisions.
How defective brakes cause an accident?
As the commercial trucks are big and weigh heavily, their brakes should be in top-notch condition. Generally, trucks need more time to stop. During the malfunctioning of brakes, the stopping distance is increased and leading to runaway truck collisions.
Some common large truck brake failures:
Worn brake pads
Overheating due to prolonged use
Brake fluid leakage
Malfunctioning of air brake systems
Poor brake installation
insufficient brake maintenance
How to determine that brake failure caused the accident?
Signs such as long skid marks, smoke or burn odors or inspection records that reveal the effect of defective or worn parts help in understanding that the cause of the accident is brake failure. In most cases, the truck accident lawyer will use an accident reconstruction specialist to confirm that the brake issues have resulted in the accident.
Hazardous Material (Hazmat) Spills
If the cargo containing hazardous material (HAZMAT) spills is improperly secured or loaded, it will lead to serious consequences. Even if the truck doesn’t tip, however, if the cargo has fallen, the spillage can create dramatic hazards to others on the road.
Across California, out of the common commercial truck accident types, cargo spills contribute to 20% of the accidents. When trucks carrying hazardous materials are involved in a collision, they can release harmful chemicals that pose a threat to the lives of people.
Some toxic chemicals in Hazardous Material (Hazmat) spills include:
Diesel Exhaust and Fuel Spills
Hazardous materials
Industrial chemicals
Petroleum products
Radioactive materials
Potential Health and Environmental Impacts
Breathing problems
Chemical burns to the eyes and skin
Stomach upset and vomiting
Head pain
Long-term impacts such as cancer, infertility, brain & nerve disorders and harm to the liver and kidneys
Environmental impacts include contaminated soil and water resources
Multi-Vehicle Pileups
There are thousands of commercial trucks and cars speeding along the lanes of the busiest highways in California. When looking into the question of what are the common types of truck accidents are, multi-vehicle pileups and chain reaction crashes are devastating incidents. As these accidents involve various vehicles, leading to extensive disruption, the consequences are serious injuries and fatalities.
What are multi-vehicle pileups?
These are the collisions where three or more vehicles are involved in a sequence of effects. These accidents generally start when a collision occurs between two vehicles, and the resulting force leads to a growing accident scenario.
Causes for multi-vehicle pileups
Bad weather conditions such as ice, fog and rain
High-speed
Distractive driving
Sudden stops
Driver errors
Overloaded or poorly secured cargo
Consequences after a multi-vehicle pileup
If a commercial truck is involved in a multi-vehicle pileup, the situation becomes worse. The consequences can be severe that affecting families, victims and communities.
Minor to major injuries
Fatalities
Traffic delays for hours
Serious vehicle damage
Drowsy Driving / Fatigue Accidents
Fatigue of the truck driver impacts the ability to promptly respond and having the grip of the vehicle. The huge commercial trucks mean even a minor lapse can end up in a devastating situation. If the driver is fatigued and loses control, the chances of fatal collisions increase.
The unrealistic deadlines set by the truck companies pressure the drivers to drive beyond safe limits. Beyond the actual 11hours of time, the drivers are pushed to drive for up to 14 hours. This leads to the risk of drowsy driving accidents.
What leads to the fatigue of truck drivers?
Prolonged hours behind the wheel
Monotonous driving
Undiagnosed sleeping disorders
Sleep deprivation
Medications
Consequences of drowsiness during driving
Multi-Vehicle Crashes
Serious or fatal injuries
Property damage or economic losses
Who is liable for fatigue accidents?
Potentially liable parties for fatigue accidents include:
The truck driver – Neglecting rest hours, false logbooks or driving in drowsiness
The truck company – the truck companies pressure drivers to operate beyond safe limits
Third parties – vehicle maintenance providers or dispatchers can be liable if they encourage unsafe driving.
Reckless Driving/Speeding Truck Accidents
Reckless driving remains a major cause of the common big rig accident types in California. If the truck driver operates the vehicle aggressively or recklessly, it increases the risk to the lives of others on the road. If a tragic accident occurs, the driver is liable for the injuries and damages.
What’s reckless driving?
According to the California Vehicle Code § 23103(a), the following actions are considered reckless driving:
A driver operating a vehicle on a highway willfully or purposefully leading to the unsafety of people or property
Those who drive in an off-street parking facility, intentionally harming people or property, are considered reckless drivers
Common behaviours of reckless driving:
Excessive speeding
Racing other cars
Not yielding the right way
Weaving in and out of lanes
Brake checking
Running red lights/stop signs
Not obeying the rules
Impaired driving
Distracted Driving Truck Accidents
Truck accidents are sad incidents leading to devastating consequences. Distracted driving, among the major types of truck crashes, claimed over 3000 lives in 2020 in the United States. Distracted driving is straightforward. The truck driver was not paying attention to the road and has led to the crash that might result in serious injuries.
Legal negligence typically has 4 aspects:
Duty
Causation
Breach of duty
Damages
Common distracted driving types:
Texting or using a mobile phone
Adjusting controls
Eating or drinking
Talking to passengers
Fatigue
Grooming
Reaching for objects
Talking on the phone
Ways to prevent distracted driving:
Limit distractions inside the vehicle
Operate the vehicle only when you are alert
Prevent external distractions
Avoid activities like eating, drinking or grooming
Wide-turn accidents
Improper turns have resulted in the loss of the lives of 31 people, and 546 people were injured in 2012 in California. Operating a commercial truck requires cautious driving and training skills. While making turns, the truck driver if fail to take proper precautions, which can injure the pedestrians.
Examples of errors a driver makes while making turns:
Swinging out excessively to the left
Not giving a signal before making a turn
Turning from the wrong lane
Impaired driving
Not waiting for the traffic to clear
Who is liable?
There can be a number of potential parties for this truck accident, which include the truck driver, the truck company, the loading company and the manufacturing company.
Protect your rights after a truck accident
Hope you have a comprehensive understanding about what are the common types of truck accidents. If you have suffered from any of these truck accidents, you have to protect your rights. Investigating these accidents is complex and requires legal expertise. Seeking guidance from a truck accident lawyer can help victims understand their legal options for pursuing compensation, which may support medical recovery and financial stability after an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can a truck accident claim fail even if the police report blames the truck driver?
Yes. Police reports are not final evidence, and insurers may still dispute liability based on technical or procedural factors.
What if the trucking company fixes or sells the truck before my lawyer inspects it?
Critical evidence may be lost, which is why attorneys often send preservation letters immediately after a truck crash.
Can truck black box data disappear if I wait too long?
Yes. Some electronic logging and event data can be overwritten or deleted if not preserved quickly.
Does a trucking company’s safety rating affect my accident claim?
Yes. Poor safety records can strengthen claims of negligence and unsafe operational practices.
Does missing driver logbook data hurt the trucking company’s defense?
Yes. Missing or falsified logs often raise red flags and suggest regulatory violations.