Truck accidents can occur in Idaho seemingly without warning. One minute, you could be sharing the road with a semi, but the next, a collision occurs. These are a few common types.
Jackknife accidents
A jackknife accident is one of the most dangerous. It occurs when a truck suddenly brakes and the trailer swings to a 90-degree angle. This motion coupled with the large weight of the truck can cause it to roll over onto the road.
Rear-end accidents
A rear-end accident can be devastating when one of the vehicles involved is a huge truck. A passenger car can be crushed and the occupants killed.
Head-on collisions
Like a rear-end accident, if a head-on crash occurs with a truck, the effects can be deadly. A smaller vehicle can be crushed upon impact. It’s common for victims to be killed in these types of truck accidents.
Blind spot accidents
Huge trucks have many blind spots. These are the areas around the truck where the driver can’t see. As a rule of thumb, if the driver of a car can’t see the truck’s mirrors, it means that the truck driver cannot see them. These are the areas to avoid when sharing the road with a semi. It’s especially dangerous for vehicles to try to pass a truck from the right or follow too closely behind it. Many truck accidents occur due to blind spots.
Underride accidents
Underride accidents occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the underside of a truck. This often happens when the truck abruptly stops. It’s common for the top of the smaller vehicle to be ripped off and for its occupants to be killed.
These are some of the most common types of truck accidents. They’re not always preventable, but drivers should stay mindful and alert to be safer.