A semi-truck jackknifes on I-15. Its trailer swings across two lanes, another driver suddenly brakes, and boom, three vehicles collide.
So, how many accidents just happened? Well, technically, one crash that involved many different collision types.
But the story is different here. And people don’t even realize how many parties can be involved and how many types of truck accidents can take place.
Similarly, the type of truck accident tells us what happened. The cause helps explain why. This exact difference can change what evidence investigators need.
According to the NHTSA, 5,472 people died in 2023 in accidents that involved large trucks nationwide.
Let’s examine the different types of truck accidents (and what makes each one risky).
What Are the 11 Most Common Types of Truck Accidents?
Truck accidents include rollovers, rear-end collisions, sideswipes, head-on crashes, jackknifes, underrides, cargo-related crashes, wide-turn accidents, intersection collisions, and chain-related accidents.
As a truck accident lawyer, I’ve observed different types of truck accidents throughout my journey. Here’s how they happen.
1. Rear-End Truck Accidents
A rear-end accident happens when a truck strikes another vehicle from behind, or another vehicle hits the truck’s rear.
Common factors that possible play a role are:
- Sudden traffic congestion
- Insufficient following distance
- Brake problems
- Distracted driving
What matters: A rear-end impact does not mean a specific person was at fault automatically. Investigators might examine traffic conditions, braking data, and whether another vehicle entered the truck’s lane suddenly.
2. Jackknife Truck Accidents
A jackknife happens whenever a tractor and its trailer fold toward each other at a sharp angle.
Here are some possible contributing aspects:
- Loss of traction
- Improper braking
- Slippery pavement
In addition, a jackknifed trailer can sweep across different lanes, which leaves nearby motorists little to no room to escape.
3. Truck Rollover Accidents
When a truck tips onto its roof or side, a rollover happens. Excessive speeds, unstable loads, sharp curves, and sudden steering movements can also matter.
An overlooked detail: “Not every rollover starts with another vehicle.” Yes, that’s right.
That being said, vehicle stability, cargo distribution, and roadway circumstances can also explain why the truck overturned.
4. Underride Truck Accidents
An underride collision happens when a smaller vehicle travels partly underneath a trailer or truck.
Two crucial configurations are:
- Rear Underride → A vehicle strikes the back of a trailer.
- Side Underride → A vehicle travels beneath the trailer’s side.
These collisions are especially risky, as the trailer can intrude into the smaller vehicle’s passenger compartment.
5. Head-On Truck Collisions
Head-on collisions happen when vehicles that travel in opposite directions strike each other front-to-front.
Some situations here involve entering opposing traffic, crossing the centerline, or losing control.
Investigators can examine impact locations, roadway markings, and vehicle positions to see how the collision developed.
6. T-Bone and Intersection Accidents
This type of accident happens when the front of one vehicle strikes another vehicle’s side.
These crashes often include turning movements, intersections, and right-of-way disputes.
Signal timing, witness statements, and traffic-camera footage in this regard can be very important.
7. Blind-Spot and Sideswipe Accidents
Big trucks have substantial blind spots, sometimes referred to as “no-zones.”
Sideswipe accidents can happen when vehicles travel alongside one another during lane changes or merging.
Anyhow, a truck’s blind spot does not excuse an unsafe lane change just automatically.
8. Wide-Turn Truck Accidents
Large trucks require additional turning space, and their trailers follow a different path from the tractor.
A trailer, during the right turn, may move toward a nearby vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist.
The main question is whether the driver made the turn with care under the present circumstances.
9. Run-Off-Road Truck Accidents
These accidents tend to happen when a truck leaves its roadway or travel lane.
Possible factors include:
- Driver fatigue
- Evasive steering
- Poor road conditions
- Mechanical problems
A roadway departure can also result in a rollover or crash with a fixed object.
10. Cargo Spill and Lost-Load Accidents
Improperly secured cargo can fall, shift, or spill onto the roadway.
Other drivers can strike the debris or swerve to avoid it.
In addition, the investigators may examine the responsibilities of the driver and cargo-loading company depending on the situation.
11. Multi-Vehicle and Chain-Reaction Accidents
A chain-reaction accident includes an initial collision followed by additional impacts.
For instance, a truck might rear-end a car, push it into another vehicle, and sometimes even trigger further collisions.
Determining the sequence of impacts is important because different drivers might have contributed to different parts of the crash.
Which Type of Truck Accident Happens Most Often?
Sideswipe collisions and rear-end angle collisions are major categories of truck crashes, but the most common type depends on how the data are classified.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s 2020 crash report identified front-to-rear collisions as the biggest reported collision configuration among injury crashes involving large trucks, whereas angle collisions led among fatal crashes.
Due to this, claims that one accident type is always the most common can be very misleading.
Are Tire Blowouts and Brake Failures Separate Accident Types?
Not really. They are usually contributing events instead of collision configurations. Let’s make it clearer through this table:
| Event | Possible Resulting Accident |
| Tire blowout | Rollover or roadway departure |
| Brake failure | Rear-end collision |
| Trailer separation | Multi-vehicle collision |
| Shifting cargo | Rollover |
When equipment condition is disputed, federal truck inspection and maintenance regulations can become relevant.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident in Utah?
The responsibility can fall on different parties, as per the evidence. In general, it can involve:
- Truck driver: Unsafe driving or traffic violations
- Trucking company: Negligent hiring, supervision, or maintenance
- Cargo loader: Improper loading or securement
- Maintenance provider: Negligent repairs or inspections
- Another motorist: Actions contributing to the collision
Under Utah Code § 78B-5-818, shared fault doesn’t always mean that it prevents compensation. Typically, the injured person’s fault has to be less than the combined fault attributed to others, and any recovery might be reduced.
What Evidence Helps Explain a Truck Accident?
Important evidence in truck accident cases can be:
- Police reports and witness statements
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Vehicle electronic control module data
- Driver hours-of-service records
- Maintenance and inspection documents
- Cargo-loading records
Electronic evidence must be identified and preserved immediately as some records may become unavailable or be overwritten.
What Should You Do After a Truck Accident in Utah?
- Get medical attention, even if you feel that your symptoms are minor in the beginning.
- Report the collision to law enforcement.
- Document the scene when it is safe.
- Preserve evidence, including witness details and photographs.
- Consider legal advice before important evidence vanishes into the air.
The Crash Type Is Only the Beginning
Knowing whether a truck rolled over, jackknifed, or struck your vehicle is helpful. And understanding why it exactly occurred & what evidence can prove it is what moves an investigation forward.
Have you just gotten into a Utah truck collision too and are unsure about what to do next? Hold on! Hernandez Injury Law is here to help you evaluate the situation and understand the right legal options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Can One Truck Accident Involve Multiple Collision Types?
Yes. A truck could roll over, jackknife, and strike many vehicles during a single crash, depending on what the situation was.
Q2. Are Truck Drivers Always Responsible for Truck Accidents?
No, they are not always responsible. Fault relies on the circumstances and might involve different parties.
Q3. Can a Trucking Company Be Liable Even If the Driver Didn’t Cause the Accident?
Of course! A trucking company can be held liable if improper loading, negligent maintenance, or other company failures caused the crash.
Q4. How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Utah?
In general, Utah gives four years’ timeframe for victims to file an injury lawsuit, even though specific claims (i.e., government entity involvement) have shorter deadlines.