Rear-Ending Truck Accidents: 5 Main Causes
When a truck rear-ends your small car, the consequences can be life altering. Painful injuries, medical treatments, being out of work, and physical limitations are just a few of the problems a California driver may deal with after being rear-ended by a truck while on the road.
Keep reading to learn more about the main causes of rear-ending truck accidents from BD&J rear-end truck accident attorneys and get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions after a truck accident.
Call the BD&J law firm at 855-906-3699 to schedule your initial consultation completely free of charge!
Types of Rear-End Truck Accidents
Rear-end accidents can be divided into 2 categories:
Truck Rear-Ends Another Car
This type of rear-end accident occurs when a massive truck strikes a smaller passenger vehicle from behind. This can lead to serious structural damage to a car, and life-threatening injuries to the driver and passengers.
Car Rear-Ends a Large Truck
This accident happens when a car impacts a large truck from behind. This kind of accident can then develop into an underride accident, which is when a car slides underneath a massive truck and often leads to the top of the car being sliced or torn off.
5 Frequent Scenarios that Result in Rear-End Accidents
The most typical scenarios that result in rear-end truck accidents include:
Speeding
Truck drivers operate on strict deadlines, often having to cross state lines and counties within a certain time to delivery cargo. Deadlines, fatigue, and additional employer pressure can cause truck drivers to speed while hauling cargo, heightening the risk of accidents.
According to data by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were 63,085 truck and bus driver violations for speeding in 2023 alone.
Following Too Closely
A speeding or impatient truck driver may follow your car closely when in traffic. This can shorten the stopping distances for the truck, which typically needs about 400 feet or more to stop.
Driving Distracted
A truck driver who is driving distracted, aka, looking at their phone or GPS, eating, or looking anywhere else but the road can fail to notice when traffic comes to a sudden stop, another car merges in front of them and shortens the following distance, or if weather conditions affect the flow of traffic.
Brake Failures
Brake failures can make a truck driver unable to stop on time in the event of sudden braking, slippery roads, and other unexpected events. When a brake failure occurs, the truck’s speed may not be able to decelerate in time, leading to an accident.
Wet or Slippery Roads
Wet or slippery roads caused by rain and other severe weather conditions can be troublesome, especially when a truck skids or its brakes lock. If a truck has low visibility from the weather, it means they cannot see the actions of the car in front of them.
How To Spot a Reckless Truck Driver
While traveling on the road, it can sometimes be easy to tell when a vehicle is being operated recklessly, allowing you to keep your distance and follow other precautions. Spot a reckless truck driver with the following steps:
- Note any swerving. – A truck that is swerving or drifting in and out of lanes may often signal a distracted or fatigued driver who is not paying close attention to the road or other drivers.
- Pay attention to how close they are to the vehicle ahead of them. – When a truck is too close to the vehicle in front of them, this may often mean they’re going way above their designated speed limit and are also shortening their stopping distance.
- Spot erratic braking. – Erratic braking from a truck can mean the driver is not paying attention to traffic or is driving much too close to other cars.
- See if the truck is weaving through traffic. – A commercial truck weaving in and out of traffic, cutting cars off, and even brake-checking other vehicles can signal a reckless truck driver who you don’t want to be in front of on the road.
While spotting a negligent or reckless truck driver can make a difference when traveling, some accidents just can’t be prevented. This is why it is essential to talk with an attorney after you’ve been injured from a truck collision to see what damages you may be able to recover.
Who Could Be Responsible for a Rear-End Truck Collision?
Responsible parties in a rear-end truck collision can include:
- A tired, impaired, distracted, or reckless truck driver
- A trucking company who performed negligent hiring, overlooked safety regulations, pressured drivers, or failed to keep up with truck maintenance
- A maintenance crew or employee who neglected or overlooked necessary maintenance for the truck
- A truck parts manufacturer who produced flawed or defective parts that resulted in the accident, including faulty brakes, a defective battery, or similar parts
Why Should I Speak with a Truck Accident Attorney?
You should speak with a truck accident attorney when you’re ready to file an accident claim, especially if the other party keeps denying responsibility for the accident, your accident claim is denied, or if you find yourself overwhelmed with medical bills and other expenses.
Can’t I Just Use AI to Help Me with My Claim?
While many people think artificial intelligence (AI) can provide them help in figuring out the legal process, or even drafting documentation related to their case, the truth is that AI often suffers through hallucinations, which means it can produce or make up dates, cases, and other important data.
AI isn’t protected under attorney-client privilege either, which leaves all the case information you input to this software open for examination.
Frequently Asked Questions About Rear-End Truck Accidents
Should I File a Lawsuit If I’m Rear-Ended?
Absolutely, especially if you’ve suffered catastrophic injuries that have led you permanently impaired and unable to work.
What Evidence Could Help My Truck Accident Claim?
Some of the evidence that could help your truck accident claim includes witness testimony, black box data from the truck, truck driver shift logs, and medical documentation of your injuries.
How Fast Can Large Trucks Go on the Freeway?
Large trucks have lower speed limits than standard passenger cars. For example, while a car has a speed limit of 65 mph on a freeway, a commercial truck has a limit of 55 mph.
Speed limits, turning maneuvers, and regulations while on the road are some of the essentials truck drivers must learn about while in the process of obtaining their commercial driver’s license.
Who Often Gets the Worst Injuries in a Rear-End Truck Accident?
Other drivers of smaller passenger cars will often get the worst injuries, due to factors like the size and structure of a large truck, the crash energy, and the chance of underride accidents occurring.
What Are My Legal Rights After Being Injured in a Truck Accident in California?
If you’re injured in a truck accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation, the right to an in-depth accident investigation, and also the right to legal representation and fair due process.
Can a Trucking Company Be Responsible for Their Driver’s Negligence?
Definitely. If a truck driver had prior driving violations that were overlooked during the hiring process, complaints of their driving habits to the company that were not addressed, or the company ignored federal hours-of-service regulations in favor of tight deadlines and overworking drivers, a company may be held responsible for an accident.
What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt Before the Accident?
If you weren’t wearing a seatbelt, you can still recover reduced compensation because California recognizes comparative negligence. This means that injured Californians who had some fault for their injuries can still recover compensation that is reduced by the percentage of fault they’re found to have.
Can an Insurance Company Deny My Claim Because I Wasn’t Wearing a Seatbelt?
An insurance company may try to deny your claim for not wearing a seatbelt or even use a recorded statement you made against you if you talk to them alone. Fortunately, working with a truck accident attorney can help you appeal denied claims and continue on the fight for compensation.
Is There a Deadline to File an Accident Claim?
Yes, you have 2 years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. If the truck is operated by the state or local government, such as a postal delivery truck, garbage truck, or similar, then you have 6 months to file a claim.
Where Are BD&J Offices Located?
BD&J offices are located in Los Angeles, Riverside, Pasadena, Rancho Santa Margarita, Sacramento, and Fresno.
But if you can’t make it to us, don’t worry. We’ll come to you, whether that means a visit to your home or your hospital room.
Does BD&J Provide Attorney Consultations?
Absolutely, you can meet with one of our wonderful expert attorneys through a free initial consultation. Contact BD&J today to get started.
Expert Truck Accident Attorneys with More than $3 Billion* Recovered
For almost 20 years, BD&J has been the law firm in California that victims of car accidents, truck accidents, construction accidents, and other personal injury accidents can call. We’ve recovered over $3 billion* in compensation for clients and aren’t afraid to go against big trucking companies or their insurance.
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means no fees until we win* your case. Don’t wait, speak to one of our dedicated team members now.
You’ve suffered a terrible rear-end truck accident, now let the BD&J team help. We’re here 24/7 to help you get started on a claim.