Ohio Truck Accidents

Common Trucks on Ohio Roads

Commercial trucks are essential for hauling goods and materials across various industries, each designed with features tailored for specific cargo and environments. Here are the most frequently seen commercial trucks on the road:

• Tractor-Trailers: Known as semi-trucks, big rigs, or 18-wheelers, these are among the most recognized commercial vehicles. Equipped with a tractor unit and one or more trailers, they transport freight over long distances. Due to their size and weight, these trucks can pose serious risks in accidents.
• Tanker Trucks: Designed to transport large quantities of liquids like gasoline, water, chemicals, and pesticides, tanker trucks have a distinctive cylindrical shape. Their hazardous cargo and high center of gravity make them challenging to operate, with spill risks in accidents.
• Flatbed Trucks: With a level, open cargo area, flatbed trucks transport large, heavy items, typically secured by straps or chains. The open design makes them versatile, but if loads are not properly tied down, they pose risks of cargo spills and related accidents.
• Garbage & Utility Trucks: Often used by municipalities or private waste companies, these trucks are equipped with hydraulic lifts, retractable baskets, and other specialized equipment. Due to their complex design and operation, human error is common, increasing accident risks.
• Construction Trucks & Cement Trucks: Construction trucks, including dump trucks and cement mixers, transport materials and heavy equipment to job sites. Their large size and unique maneuvering challenges make them prone to tipping or losing cargo.
• Delivery Trucks: Delivery trucks for companies like UPS, Amazon, and FedEx are a familiar sight. Often working under tight schedules and delivery quotas, these drivers face pressure that increases the risk of accidents, combined with weather and heavy traffic.
• Box Trucks: Also called cube trucks, these vehicles are commonly used for moving cargo and small business deliveries. With limited visibility and lower driver training requirements, box trucks are prone to collisions, especially in urban environments.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

In 2020, an estimated 146,930 people were injured in crashes involving large trucks. 68% (99,501) of these truck accident victims were occupants of other vehicles. Here are several common types of large commercial truck accidents.

Rear-End Truck Accidents

Due to their size and weight, trucks require more distance to stop. When drivers are distracted, speeding, or tailgating, they risk rear-ending vehicles in front of them, often with catastrophic results for smaller cars.

Jackknife Truck Wrecks

Jackknife accidents occur when a truck’s trailer swings out at a 90-degree angle, typically due to hard braking or sudden maneuvers. This can block multiple lanes of traffic and lead to serious multi-vehicle accidents.

Tanker Truck Crashes

Tankers carry hazardous materials, making them especially dangerous in accidents. Their high center of gravity and unique handling challenges increase the risk of rollovers and spill-related hazards in collisions.

Dump Truck Accidents

Equipped with an open box bed, dump trucks are commonly seen on construction sites. These heavy vehicles often carry loose debris, which can spill onto the road and pose dangers for surrounding vehicles.

Utility Vehicle Accidents

Vehicles like fire trucks, ambulances, and maintenance vehicles often operate under emergency conditions, sometimes exempt from standard traffic rules. Their high-speed responses and complex maneuvering can lead to serious accidents.

Underride/Override Truck Accidents

Among the deadliest types of truck accidents, underride and override incidents occur when a smaller vehicle slides under or is overridden by a larger truck, typically during sudden stops. These crashes often result in fatal injuries.

Truck Rollover Accidents

Rollover accidents occur when a truck’s trailer flips or rolls onto its side, often due to high speeds, sudden turns, or unbalanced loads. Rollover accidents create a significant hazard, especially on highways.

Unsecured Cargo Accidents

Improperly secured cargo can come loose, falling off trucks at high speeds. This flying debris can strike other vehicles, leading to injuries, collisions, and even fatalities.

Blindspot Truck Accidents

Large trucks have extensive blind spots that limit drivers’ visibility of surrounding vehicles. Accidents typically happen during lane changes, turns, or merges when the driver fails to account for vehicles in these “no-zones.”

Head-On Truck Crashes

Head-on collisions with trucks are among the most severe accidents, often resulting in fatalities. They typically occur when a truck veers into oncoming traffic due to driver error, fatigue, or poor road conditions.

Wide-Turn Truck Accidents

Wide turns require skill, as trucks need extra space to turn safely. If a driver misjudges, they may swing into adjacent lanes or hit nearby vehicles, resulting in serious collisions.

Hurt by a Truck in Ohio?

If you or a loved one are hurt in a truck crash, here are some possible reasons why it occurred:

Driver Negligence in Truck Crashes

Truck drivers owe other motorists a particular duty of care and should be well-trained before getting behind the wheel. Nevertheless, driver error is the most common cause of truck accidents.

Examples of trucker negligence are:

• Distracted Driving
• Fatigued Driving
• Disregarding Traffic Signals
• Speeding/Dangerous for Conditions
• Impaired Driving
• Reckless/Aggressive Maneuvers

Reckless Motor Carriers

Many commercial vehicles are owned and operated by large trucking companies. And like many big companies, these businesses may cut corners on safety, driver training, and routine vehicle repairs. If any of these apply, the trucking company could be held responsible.

Careless Third Parties

The cause of some types of truck crashes is more challenging to identify. For instance, negligent tire manufacturers may have released a faulty product, eventually leading to a tire blowout. In addition to defective parts manufacturers, various third parties could be at fault for many truck accidents.

Damages if You’re Hurt by a Truck

Each truck accident is different, with distinctive causes and contributing factors. If you were hurt or lost a loved one in any type of truck accident caused by negligence, you could be compensated for your:

• • Current and future medical expenses
  • Lost income and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Disfigurement
  • Loss of consortium
  • Funeral expenses

Truck Crash Insurance Claims

After most truck accidents, a victim will seek compensation through an insurance claim with the driver or truck company’s provider. This process usually requires compiling your losses, establishing the parties” liability, and negotiating for the best settlement possible.

Truck Accident Lawsuits

Unfortunately, not every truck crash results in a fast and fair settlement for everything you need. You may benefit from filing a lawsuit depending on the type of truck crash, who is involved, and the wreck details.

Ohio Truck Accident Types: FAQs

Why are rear-end truck accidents so dangerous?

Given the truck’s weight and momentum, these accidents often result in severe damage and injuries to occupants of smaller vehicles. Legal action may involve proving the truck driver was distracted, fatigued, or tailgating.

What makes dump truck accidents common on construction sites?

Dump trucks carry heavy, loose materials that can spill if improperly secured. They are also challenging to maneuver. In such cases, liability may involve the driver, construction company, or others responsible for securing the load.

How are utility vehicle accidents different from other truck accidents?

Utility vehicles, such as fire trucks and ambulances, may operate under emergency conditions and sometimes don’t follow regular traffic laws. When accidents occur, an attorney can assess if negligence or reckless driving contributed to the incident.

Are construction and cement trucks more prone to tipping or losing cargo?

Yes, construction trucks have higher tipping risks and often carry loose materials that can spill. Companies and drivers may be liable if they fail to secure cargo or operate the vehicle safely.

Can a lawyer help if a truck accident involves multiple vehicles?

Truck accidents often impact several vehicles. A lawyer can help navigate the complexities of multiple parties, liability, and insurance claims to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.

A capable attorney can review your accident, negotiate for maximum value, and help determine the best action.

Injured? Get Ohio Truck Accident Help

The legal team at Ohio Truck Accident Help is prepared to help you get the maximum settlement or courtroom verdict possible. Our goal is to stop lowball offers, prevent negligence in the trucking industry, and give injury victims the best chance at the compensation they deserve.

If you or a loved one have been injured in any Ohio truck accident, call (855) 721-2737 to set up a free, no-risk consultation. We’ll find the cause and fight for your interests.

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