Louisiana highways are frequently traveled by large commercial trucks—18-wheelers, flatbeds, tankers, and delivery vehicles. While these trucks play a crucial role in our state’s economy, they also pose serious risks on the road. Due to their size and weight, trucking accidents can cause catastrophic damage, especially involving smaller passenger vehicles. Understanding the types of trucking accidents is essential for recognizing what caused a crash and who may be liable.
At Russell Law Firm, LLC, our personal injury attorneys represent injury victims across East Baton Rouge Parish and beyond. Below, we break down the most common types of truck accidents and why legal guidance is critical in the aftermath.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end crashes involving trucks are especially dangerous because of the vehicle’s size and stopping distance.
While many rear-end accidents result in minor damage when two cars are involved, a truck rear-ending a passenger vehicle can lead to severe or even fatal injuries. Trucks require more time and distance to come to a complete stop, and distractions, fatigue, or speeding can prevent a driver from reacting in time.
In these cases, the truck driver or company may be held liable under Louisiana traffic laws for following too closely or failing to brake safely.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when the truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming an angle with the cab, often blocking multiple lanes of traffic.
Sudden braking, slick roads, or improper loading typically cause these dangerous incidents. The weight and momentum of the trailer can overpower the cab, making it impossible for the driver to maintain control. Jackknife accidents often involve multiple vehicles and result in chain-reaction collisions.
A personal injury attorney can investigate whether driver error, mechanical failure, or poor maintenance contributed to the crash.
Rollover Accidents
A truck rollover happens when a large vehicle tips onto its side or roof, often due to sharp turns, speeding, or an unbalanced load.
Rollovers are among the most destructive types of truck accidents. They can cause severe injuries to the truck driver and nearby motorists. In some cases, cargo may spill onto the road, causing additional hazards.
These accidents often involve negligence by the driver, the trucking company, or cargo loaders, especially when load distribution was unsafe or the truck was overweight.
Underride Accidents
Underride crashes occur when passenger vehicles slide underneath the rear or side of a truck trailer, often with devastating consequences.
Due to the height difference between a truck and a standard car, these collisions frequently result in fatal injuries. Rear underride guards are required on most trucks, but failure to install or maintain them properly can lead to preventable tragedies.
Victims’ families may be able to file wrongful death or personal injury claims when poor safety compliance plays a role.
Tire Blowouts and Mechanical Failures
Tire blowouts, brake failure, and steering malfunctions can cause a truck driver to lose control instantly, putting everyone nearby at risk.
These incidents are often traced back to inadequate maintenance, defective parts, or failure to inspect the vehicle before a route. A thorough legal investigation can reveal whether the trucking company ignored known issues or violated safety regulations.
Contact Russell Law Firm, LLC
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident in East Baton Rouge or anywhere in Louisiana, you need a legal team that understands the complexities of each type of crash. At Russell Law Firm, LLC, we’ll identify the cause, determine who is responsible, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today at 225-307-0088 or online for a free consultation and let us help you move forward.
The Russell Law Firm is in Your Corner, and We Fight to Win.
Information furnished herein is only general and not a substitute for personalized legal advice. Any discussions and photographs herein depict no actual event or scene but merely a dramatization.