What is Trucking Accident?
Updated January 24, 2026
A collision involving a commercial truck, tractor-trailer, or 18-wheeler, often resulting in severe injuries due to the vehicle size and weight.
Understanding Trucking Accident
Trucking cases are complex due to federal regulations (FMCSA), multiple potentially liable parties (driver, trucking company, cargo loader), and commercial insurance. Hours of service violations, improper maintenance, and overloaded trucks are common causes.
Examples
- 1Semi-truck jackknifing on highway
- 2Underride accident with tractor-trailer
- 3Fatigued truck driver causing multi-vehicle pile-up
Related Terms
Vicarious Liability
Legal responsibility imposed on one party for the actions of another, such as an employer being liable for employee negligence committed within the scope of employment.
Yield Right of Way
A traffic law requiring drivers to allow other vehicles or pedestrians to proceed first in certain situations. Failure to yield is a common cause of intersection collisions and pedestrian accidents.
Rear-End Collision
An accident where one vehicle strikes the back of another vehicle, typically establishing fault against the following driver.
T-Bone Accident
A collision where the front of one vehicle strikes the side of another, forming a T shape, often occurring at intersections.
Head-On Collision
A crash where the fronts of two vehicles collide while traveling in opposite directions, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.
For Motor Vehicle Collision cases
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