Common Types of Truck Accidents in North Carolina (2024)

Commercial truck accidents may be less common than passenger vehicle accidents, but they are often incredibly damaging. Victims of these incidents may struggle to prove liability and may not know the full extent of the damages they can claim from an at-fault driver. A North Carolina truck accident attorney can review the details of the type of accident you suffered and help determine your most viable options for legal recourse.

Common Types of Truck Accidents

A commercial truck accident can happen in many of the same ways that all other vehicle accidents occur. Most vehicle accidents happen because of negligence, or failure to exercise reasonable care in specific situations. Distracted driving, speeding, and moving violations are all common examples of this.

It is also possible for a truck accident to happen due to illegal misconduct. For example, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal for all drivers in the state but is a leading cause of serious accidents throughout the state each year. Your Fayetteville truck accident attorney can explain the potential implications of a defendant’s illegal misconduct when it comes to your recovery efforts.

Aside from the standard forms of negligence and misconduct that can cause truck accidents, there are few types of accidents that are unique to large commercial trucks because of their size and shape:

• Jackknife accidents happen when a truck’s trailer swings out to one side, forming a “V” shape as it continues forward. It is very difficult for a driver to recover from this type of situation, and it is easy for a jackknife accident to harm multiple victims.
• Underride accidents happen when a smaller vehicle slams into the truck and becomes lodged underneath the vehicle. There is a large gap between the bottom of the truck’s trailer and the road surface, which is large enough for a smaller vehicle to become trapped.
• Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips and rolls over onto its side. This is very dangerous and can happen in various ways, but the most common cause is speeding around sharp turns. Large commercial trucks have higher centers of gravity than lower passenger vehicles, leaving them vulnerable to tipping and rolling over if they become unbalanced.

Ultimately, no matter how a commercial truck accident happens, it can be incredibly damaging and traumatic for those involved. Victims of truck accidents not only suffer severe economic losses in the form of medical expenses, lost income, and property damage but also experience physical pain and psychological trauma that can last for a long time.

A North Carolina truck accident attorney is an invaluable asset for anyone who has recently experienced any kind of truck accident due to the negligence or illegal misconduct of another party. Your attorney can help prove liability for the accident, determine the full scope of your claimable damages, and guide you through the process of filing an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver.

If insurance alone cannot fully compensate you for your losses, you will need to file a personal injury claim to recover the remainder. Your truck accident attorney can be invaluable to your case, and they can not only potentially uncover compensation you did not realize you could claim but also streamline your proceedings significantly.

FAQs

Q: What Are the Three Most Common Types of Collisions Involving Heavy Trucks?

A: While truck accidents happen for many of the same reasons that all other vehicle accidents happen, the large size of these vehicles presents the risk of unique types of accidents. The three most common types of collisions in North Carolina involving heavy trucks are rollover accidents, underride crashes, and jackknife accidents. Whatever type of accident you experience, a North Carolina truck accident attorney can help determine your most viable recovery options.

Q: Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?

A: Proving fault is a vital first step in resolving any type of truck accident in the state of North Carolina. It’s possible for liability to fall on a single individual or multiple parties, depending on how the accident happened. Some of the most commonly cited defendants in truck accident cases include truck drivers, their employers, parties responsible for loading commercial trucks, and parties responsible for commercial truck maintenance.

Q: What Is the Contributory Negligence Rule?

A: North Carolina enforces a contributory negligence rule, meaning the plaintiff in the case cannot claim compensation for their damages if they are found to share fault for causing their damages in any measure. Even if the plaintiff is just slightly to blame for causing the accident, it will prevent them from securing compensation from any other liable party, and they will be personally responsible for their damages.

Q: How Much Is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

A: If you can prove another party is responsible for causing a personal injury, state law allows you to seek full compensation for all economic losses you suffered from their actions, as well as fair compensation for your pain and suffering. Economic damages are proven with the appropriate documentation, and a plaintiff has the right to claim as much pain and suffering compensation as they believe reflects the severity of the harm they experienced.

Q: Do I Need to Hire an Attorney for a Truck Accident Case?

A: While you are not strictly required by law to hire an attorney for your impending truck accident case, an experienced truck accident attorney can be an invaluable asset for your recovery efforts in multiple ways. You are more likely to succeed with your case with their assistance and more likely to maximize your total compensation. You are also more likely to streamline these proceedings, shortening the time it takes for you to recover your damages.

The Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A. can provide the compassionate and meticulous legal counsel you need on your side to recover from a recent truck accident as soon as possible. You have a short time in which to file a personal injury case and even less time in which to file an auto insurance claim. If you are ready to learn what an experienced North Carolina truck accident attorney can do for you, contact us today to schedule a free consultation.