Because of its location at the intersection of U.S. Interstate 85 and U.S. Route 280, Opelika sees a disproportionate number of truck accidents relative to its small population. Because of the enormous size differential between large commercial trucks and everyday passenger vehicles, these accidents can be particularly devastating.
If you or a loved one are hurt in a truck accident at little to no fault of your own, the best thing to do after seeking medical attention is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney. At Stokes Stemle, LLC, our experienced truck accident attorneys have the knowledge and resources to handle your case from start to finish. Contact us today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced injury attorney in Opelika.
Jackknife Accidents
A jackknife truck accident occurs when a truck trailer swings widely at a pivot, forming a sharp angle with the towing cab. The resulting angle between the truck and cab resembles that of a pocketknife blade folding back into its handle. These accidents typically happen when a truck driver makes a sudden movement (e.g., braking too quickly or making a dangerously sharp turn) that causes the trailer to swing out of alignment with its towing vehicle. These truck accidents are especially dangerous because jackknifing can cause trucks to careen out of control, sometimes slamming into other vehicles or spilling cargo onto the road.
Rollover Accidents
Rollover accidents are some of the most dangerous truck accidents we see in our practice as injury attorneys. These accidents happen when a truck tips onto its side or rolls over entirely. If a truck rolls over onto nearby vehicles or pedestrians, the results can be catastrophic. Rollover accidents often ensue when a trucker attempts a sudden maneuver that causes them to lose control of their vehicle. These accidents can also occur due to speeding, hazardous road conditions, and mechanical defects.
Blind Spot Collisions
Blind spot collisions are also a very common type of truck accident. These crashes occur when a truck driver fails to spot a nearby vehicle because it is traveling within the truck’s blind spots. Trucks have wider blind spots than most other vehicles due to their large size. Accordingly, both truck drivers and other road users should take extra care when passing each other. When truck drivers fail to monitor their blind spots carefully, they can cause serious accidents.
Tire Blowouts
A tire blowout can cause a truck to skid, veer out of control, or even roll over. If a driver cannot maintain or regain control of their truck after one of its tires bursts, they may end up causing a catastrophic accident. To avoid these kinds of accidents, commercial truck drivers must inspect their tires regularly and avoid exceeding the manufacturer’s maximum recommended weight limits. Trucks with worn tires or overloaded cargo are far more likely to experience a blowout.
Underride Accidents
Underride accidents are some of the most dangerous and deadly types of truck accidents. These accidents occur when a smaller vehicle gets trapped beneath a big rig. Underride accidents commonly occur due to distracted driving, driver fatigue, drunk driving, speeding, and failure to obey traffic laws. In underride collisions, victims often suffer serious and sometimes fatal injuries as their vehicle is snagged and crushed beneath the larger truck.
Sideswipe Accidents
A sideswipe accident occurs when the side of a truck scrapes against the side of another vehicle. This type of collision is common on highways and interstates with multiple side-by-side lanes. Truck drivers who are distracted, tired, or driving under the influence of drugs/alcohol are much more likely to cause sideswipe wrecks. These accidents can cause significant damage and sometimes even cause smaller, adjacent vehicles to spin out of control.
T-Bone Crashes
A T-bone collision occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the broad side of another. The resulting wreckage forms the shape of a “T,” hence the name. Needless to say, when a multi-ton 18-wheeler crashes into the side of a 3,000-4,000 pound passenger vehicle, the results can be devastating. T-bone crashes often occur when drivers fail to yield the right of way at intersections and in merge zones.
Rear-End Accidents
As the name suggests, rear-end accidents happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the back of another. Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of truck accidents, and they can be deadly for occupants of smaller cars. In many cases, the smaller vehicle is caught and crushed beneath the overriding truck. Rear-end truck accidents often result from distracted driving, following too closely, impaired driving, and mechanical defects.
Unsecured Cargo
There are generally two kinds of accidents in this category. First, there are those in which poorly secured cargo (e.g., logs, gravel, boxes) falls off a truck and causes an accident. Second, there are those in which poorly secured cargo falls off within the hauling compartment of a truck, making it difficult for the truck driver to maintain control of their trailer. Truck loaders may be held liable for injuries caused when their failure to properly secure cargo gives rise to an accident.
Head-On Accidents
These accidents occur when two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions. Though relatively rare, this is perhaps the most dangerous kind of truck accident because the impact combines the full force of both vehicles. A head-on truck accident can occur when a truck driver fails to yield the right of way or veers out of their lane into oncoming traffic. Distractions (e.g., cellphones, GPS navigators, music, and other passengers) significantly increase the risk of a head-on collision.
Injured in an Opelika Truck Accident? Consult With a Knowledgeable Truck Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured in an Opelika truck accident, the experienced personal injury attorneys at Stokes Stemle, LLC, are standing by to make sure you know your full legal rights and options. Our firm is dedicated to defending the rights of injury victims throughout Alabama. Let us fight for you.
Among other things, we can help you pursue compensation for things like medical bills, vehicle damage, lost income, pain, and suffering. Contact us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney today.
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