There are several common types of large commercial truck accidents.

1. Head-on or rear-end collisions. Head-on accidents occur when large trucks collide with other vehicles head-on, and rear-end collisions describe crashes when large trucks drive over the back of another vehicle. Both types of collisions are incredibly dangerous, especially to those in the smaller vehicle.
2. Jackknife accidents. Jackknife accidents happen when trucks brake suddenly and their trailers swing out to a ninety-degree angle. A jackknifing truck can easily overturn or roll over, causing a huge roadway danger.
3. Blind spot accidents. Signs signifying blind spots—“if you can’t see my mirrors, I can’t see you”—are common on large commercial trucks, and for good reason. Semi-trucks have significant blind spots where the driver loses sight of other vehicles, and these blind spots are much bigger than in smaller vehicles.
4. Roll-over accidents. When a truck driver loses control, the tractor-trailer can roll over, making both the truck and any cargo that falls out of it a hazard for other motorists on the road.
5. Underride accidents. Underride accidents are one of the deadliest types of truck accidents. They happen when trucks stop quickly and approaching vehicles become lodged under the tractor-trailer. The top of the smaller vehicle is often ripped off.
6. Tire blowouts. You can see the remains of tire blowouts across major roadways throughout the United States—shreds of back rubber on the shoulder or in the middle of the lane. The tires of any vehicle can blow out, but large commercial trucks are especially vulnerable to tire failure.

The team at BostonLegalNetwork.com urges victims of trucking accidents to get a free, thorough case evaluation.

You want to be prepared in case you’re in an auto accident, whether or not the collision was your fault. Preparation will help you protect your ability to make a car insurance claim against an at-fault driver, and also help you if another driver falsely blames you for the accident.

Here’s what to do in this stressful situation, including how to prepare to deal with first responders, injuries, other drivers, and insurance companies.

1. What to do immediately after a collision. Pull your car over to a safe, well-lit place nearby, preferably a public one where others can see both you and the other driver.
2. Secure kids, pets, seniors, and the disabled. Don’t remove children, elders, or otherwise incapacitated people from the car after the accident–they may have injuries you can’t see, so let a first responder remove them from their car seats to assess them for injuries.
3. Calling an ambulance or law enforcement. After you and your vehicle are in a safe place, check to see if you or anyone in your vehicle at the time of the accident has injuries–call law enforcement, and then an ambulance if someone shows even minor harm from the accident.
4. Talking to the other driver. Refrain from making admissions or blurting out you’re sorry, even when you feel you’re at fault–avoid expressing anger toward the other driver, and don’t blame the accident on another driver at the scene or accept blame from another driver or witnesses on the scene.
5. Don’t make deals about damage payments. Don’t make any side deals with other drivers to accept or pay cash for the accident instead of filing an insurance claim, even if the other driver offers a significant sum or claims they have no auto insurance.
6. Collecting the right information. Consistently keeping your documents in order is essential in collecting the right information for insurance claims:

• Name and contact information
• Insurance company and policy number
• Driver’s license and license plate number
• Type, color, and model of vehicle
• Location of accident
• Take pictures or videos of specific details of the accident from a variety of angles

7. Starting an auto insurance claim after an accident. It’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as possible after an accident.
8. Finding fault for a car accident. After you make a claim, insurance adjusters determine fault and what you’ll receive for repairs or to replace your car if it’s totaled–if you’re unsatisfied with the response you receive, now is the time to contact a competent accident attorney for a free, private case evaluation.

The team at BostonLegalNetwork.com believes that trucking accident victims should receive the compensation they deserve for damages, injuries, and lost wages.