SIDE COLLISION TRUCK ACCIDENTS
St. Louis, Kansas City, and Jefferson City, Missouri
A side collision truck accident occurs when a tractor-trailer collides with the side of another vehicle. As with most truck accidents, injuries are likely to be catastrophic.
If you have been injured in a side collision truck accident, please contact our personal injury law firm to learn more about your legal rights and options. The Bradley Law Firm will focus on recovering fair and just compensation for your damages.
Why Side Collision Truck Accidents are Dangerous
Any side collision is dangerous, whether it involves a standard automobile or a semi truck. However, side collision truck accidents are particularly dangerous due to the big rig’s massive size and the design of standard automobiles. Side airbags are useful for accidents involving cars but are less effective when a truck collides with a car.
When a truck hits the side of a car, both the truck and car absorb the impact. After impact, it may rollover or be thrown into oncoming traffic. This further amplifies the danger and potential for serious injuries and wrongful death.
Other factors that increase the danger of a side impact are:
- Vehicle speeds
- Weight difference between vehicles
- Vehicle safety features
- The precise location where the vehicle was struck
How Side Collision Truck Accidents Occur
Dangerous situations may occur when a truck changes lanes, makes a turn, or crosses an intersection without clearly seeing what is around him/her. Other factors that may cause a side collision are:
- Brake failure
- Adverse weather
- Poor road conditions
- Insufficient distance between vehicles
- Excessive speed
- Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol
Underride and Side Collision Truck Accidents
A side collision impact can also cause an underride truck accident. If a passenger car is in a big rig driver’s blind spot and the truck turns at an intersection, the car can collide with the side of the truck’s trailer and possibly become stuck under the truck.
Side collision truck accidents typically result in serious injury and even wrongful death. At The Bradley Law Firm, we offer free case evaluations for accident victims in St. Louis, Kansas City and all of Missouri. Please call or email our truck accident attorneys today. We also serve residents of Jefferson City and rural parts of Missouri.