Semi-trucks, also known as tractor-trailers, serve a vital function in transporting goods over long distances. These vehicles consist of a tractor, which is the towing engine, and one or more trailers that carry the cargo. This configuration makes them vulnerable to unique types of accidents, which often result in severe injuries.

The considerable size and weight of semi-trucks make them particularly hazardous on the roads, especially for smaller vehicles. They can be up to 70 or 80 feet long and, when fully loaded, weigh as much as 80,000 pounds or more. In collisions, the occupants of smaller vehicles often sustain greater injuries. The risk of accidents is exacerbated by factors such as driver fatigue — common among truck drivers due to long driving stints without sufficient rest — and the potential use of stimulants, which can affect drivers’ judgment.

Common types of accidents involving semi-trucks and their causes include:

1. Jackknife accidents — Due to sudden braking or slippery roads, the trailer skids and ends up at a 90-degree angle to the tractor.

2. Rollovers and tip overs — Triggered by high speeds, sharp turns or an unbalanced cargo load, rollovers happen when the truck flips onto its side or roof. Tip overs are similar but involve only the trailer tipping while the tractor remains upright.

3. Sideswipe accidents — Occurring when a semi-truck and another vehicle traveling side by side make contact, these can result from blind spots, drifting between lanes or misjudging the truck’s lateral clearance.

4. Wide turn accidents — Semi-trucks may swing wide in the opposite direction to complete a turn, potentially catching other drivers off guard and leading to collisions.

5. Override and underride collisions — In override accidents, a semi-truck runs over a smaller vehicle ahead of it, often due to inadequate stopping distances or inattention. Underride collisions, which are extremely dangerous and often fatal, occur when a smaller vehicle crashes into the back of a semi-truck and slides underneath.

Under Connecticut law, the ability of a truck accident victim to recover damages hinges on showing that their own negligence, if any, was not more than 50 percent the cause of the accident. Even then, any compensation awarded will be reduced by the victim’s own percentage of fault. To enhance safety, drivers should maintain a safe following distance behind semi-trucks, be aware of truck blind spots, avoid sudden lane changes, and exercise extra caution at intersections. It’s also advisable to anticipate wide turns and provide trucks with plenty of space to maneuver, especially in poor weather conditions.

Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in Hamden and East Haven advocates on behalf of Connecticut residents injured in trucking accidents. To discuss your case, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.