We’ve all seen news stories about horrific truck accidents involving large semi-trucks, many of which were carrying cargo at the time of the crash. While dangerous, these are not the only types of trucks that can cause serious damage in an accident.

Flatbed Trucks

Flatbed trucks have an open trailer and are used primarily for transporting large and heavy cargo. Because they have no walls and no roof, flatbed trailers are often used to carry items that cannot fit inside closed trailers, such as heavy construction equipment, logs or lumber. For this reason, using correct loading procedures is absolutely necessary, as it is much easier for material to come loose during transit and spill onto the roadway.

Tanker Trucks

Tanker trucks carry liquids, many of which are hazardous materials, such as gasoline and oil. Most liquid cargo transported by tanker trucks is flammable, which means that if a tanker truck is involved in an accident, there is a high risk of the cargo catching on fire or exploding. Liquid cargo also has a tendency to slosh around during transit, especially if a truck is not carrying a capacity load. Because of the continuous shifts in weight, drivers must be especially vigilant, or they could easily lose control of the truck. Many tanker trucks also carry dangerous chemicals and even radioactive material. If a truck transporting this type of cargo is involved in an accident, victims risk suffering chemical burns.

Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are used to transport loose material, such as:

• Sand
• Gravel
• Dirt
• Tree branches
• Trash

Because of the way they are constructed, dump trucks are more likely to be involved in backing-up accidents and rollovers than other types of large trucks are. Dump trucks often carry thousands of pounds of material, so taking a fast turn raises the risk of tipping over. Dump trucks are also notorious for having large blind spots, which means that drivers often have a limited view, especially when reversing. For this reason, dump truck operators are required to undergo special training and implement safety procedures when loading and unloading. Unfortunately, some drivers do not take the time to use these safety measures, causing hundreds of injuries every year.

Semi-trucks

Semi-trucks, which are more commonly known as big rigs, are used primarily for transporting cargo. Because there are so many of them on the road, they are involved in most large truck accidents. Semi trucks have large blind spots, making it difficult for drivers to see other approaching vehicles. They are also extremely heavy and require long stopping distances, which means that they are prone to jackknifing if a driver attempts to brake too abruptly. These types of large trucks also have a high center of gravity and are prone to rollovers, which is especially dangerous not only because of their large size but also because rollovers can cause cargo to come loose and spill onto the roadway.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you or a loved one were recently injured in a truck accident and have questions or concerns about your legal options and or rights to compensation, please contact us by calling 1-800-732-3070 or by completing one of our free case review forms.