Different Types of Semi Truck Accidents
Wichita truck accidents come in many forms, depending on how and where the collision occurs. Because of their size, weight, and limited maneuverability, semi trucks are involved in a wide variety of crash types, each with the potential for serious or fatal injuries. Below are some of the most common types of truck accidents seen in Wichita and across Kansas:
- Rollover Accidents: A rollover occurs when a truck tips onto its side or roof. These crashes are especially dangerous on curves, ramps, or during high-speed lane changes. Rollovers are often caused by speeding, overcorrecting, or unbalanced cargo. The risk increases significantly when the truck’s center of gravity is high or shifting loads are not properly secured.
- Rear-End Collisions: When a semi-truck crashes into the back of a slower or stopped vehicle, the results can be catastrophic, especially at high speeds. Due to their weight, trucks require much more distance to stop. Rear-end crashes frequently happen in traffic congestion, during inclement weather, or when a truck driver is fatigued or distracted.
- Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife happens when the truck’s trailer swings out to the side, forming an acute angle with the cab. These crashes often occur during sudden braking or when traction is lost. Jackknife accidents frequently block multiple lanes of traffic and can involve several vehicles, especially on busy highways like I-135 or U.S. 54.
- Underride Accidents: One of the deadliest types of truck crashes, underride accidents occur when a passenger vehicle slides underneath the rear or side of a truck’s trailer. These often happen when a truck stops suddenly or turns across traffic and are more likely to be fatal due to the intrusion of the trailer into the smaller vehicle’s cabin space.
- Blind Spot (No-Zone) Crashes: Large trucks have significant blind spots, or “no-zones,” along both sides, directly behind, and in front of the cab. Accidents happen when a truck driver changes lanes or merges without seeing a vehicle in these areas. Smaller vehicles that linger in these zones are at a much higher risk of being sideswiped or pushed off the road.
Each of these accident types presents unique challenges when it comes to investigating fault, assessing injuries, and determining liability. A Wichita truck accident attorney can help preserve evidence like black box data, dashcam footage, and cargo logs to better understand how the crash occurred and who should be held responsible.
Determining Liability in a Wichita Truck Accident
Establishing liability in a Wichita truck accident can be complex. Unlike a typical car crash, a collision involving a semi-truck often includes multiple layers of responsibility. These cases require a thorough investigation into not just how the accident occurred but why it happened and who had the legal duty to prevent it.
At Riedmiller, Andersen & Scott, we work diligently to analyze every aspect of your accident, using physical evidence, digital data, and expert insight to identify all responsible parties. Potentially liable individuals or entities in Wichita may include:
- Truck Driver: The driver may be held personally liable for negligent behavior such as speeding, driving while fatigued, using a phone behind the wheel, or operating the truck under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Violations of federal safety rules or Kansas traffic laws can directly link the driver’s conduct to the cause of the crash.
- Trucking Company: The company that employs the driver may be liable under a legal theory known as “vicarious liability.” Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring their drivers are properly trained, licensed, and following all FMCSA regulations, including Hours of Service (HOS) rules. If a company pushes drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules or fails to conduct proper background checks, they can be held accountable.
- Vehicle or Parts Manufacturer: If a defective part , such as faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or steering components, caused or contributed to the crash, the manufacturer or distributor of that component may be liable under product liability laws. These cases often involve technical investigations and mechanical expert testimony.
- Cargo Loaders or Freight Handlers: Many commercial trucks are loaded by third-party shipping or logistics companies. If cargo was improperly loaded, unsecured, or overloaded, it can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control or the truck to roll over. These loading errors often lead to multi-vehicle accidents and serious highway hazards.
- Maintenance Contractors: Trucking companies frequently outsource routine maintenance to third-party contractors. If a crash results from improper repairs, missed inspections, or failure to identify mechanical issues, those responsible for servicing the vehicle may share in the liability.
How We Prove Liability
To determine who is legally at fault in a Wichita truck accident, we gather and analyze all available evidence, including:
- Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs): Used to verify the driver’s hours of service, speed, and compliance with rest breaks.
- Black Box Data: Modern trucks are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs) that record speed, brake use, steering input, and engine diagnostics moments before a crash.
- Driver Logs and Records: These may reveal falsified hours, incomplete inspections, or safety violations.
- Dashcam or Surveillance Footage: Often provides a direct view of the crash as it happened.
- Police Reports and Witness Testimony: Help reconstruct the scene and support claims of reckless or negligent behavior.
- Accident Reconstruction Experts: Use physics, digital modeling, and crash scene data to determine how and why the collision occurred.
Identifying all liable parties is essential to maximizing your compensation. Wichita truck accident claims often involve large insurance policies, aggressive defense teams, and high financial stakes, which is why having an experienced legal team makes a critical difference.
Safety Regulations for Trucks in Wichita, Kansas
Commercial trucks operating in Wichita and throughout Kansas must comply with a range of federal and state safety regulations designed to reduce the risk of accidents and protect everyone on the road. These laws govern everything from how long a driver can be on duty to how cargo must be secured and when violated, they can play a key role in establishing liability after a crash.
Here are some of the key safety regulations that apply to truck drivers and trucking companies in Wichita, Kansas:
- Hours of Service (HOS) Limits: Under FMCSA regulations, truck drivers are limited to driving no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. These limits are designed to prevent fatigue-related accidents. Drivers must also use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs) to track their driving time and ensure compliance.
- Vehicle Maintenance Requirements: Both federal and Kansas laws require commercial trucks to undergo regular inspections and maintenance. Faulty brakes, worn tires, broken lights, or steering problems must be addressed promptly. Failure to maintain a safe vehicle can result in both civil liability and regulatory penalties.
- Weight and Size Restrictions: Trucks traveling through Wichita must adhere to Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) rules on weight limits, axle loads, and vehicle dimensions. Overloaded or oversized trucks can cause serious roadway hazards, including increased stopping distances and a higher risk of rollovers.
- Drug and Alcohol Testing: Commercial truck drivers are subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing before employment, after accidents, and randomly during employment. A BAC of 0.04% or higher for a CDL holder is considered over the legal limit under federal law.
- Cargo Securement Rules: FMCSA regulations outline specific methods and equipment required to properly secure cargo. Improperly secured loads can shift in transit, leading to jackknifes, rollovers, or lost cargo that creates hazards for other drivers.
- Licensing and Endorsements: Drivers must hold a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and any additional endorsements required for the type of cargo they are hauling, such as hazardous materials (HAZMAT) or oversized loads.
When trucking companies or drivers violate these safety regulations, the consequences can be severe, both in terms of roadway safety and legal liability. At Riedmiller, Andersen & Scott, we investigate whether any violations played a role in your accident and use that information to strengthen your case.
Kansas Truck Accident Statistics
The
Kansas Traffic Crash Facts 2023 report paints a clear picture of how large trucks influence roadway safety across the state. During 2023, 3,478 crashes involved heavy/large trucks (defined as commercial vehicles over 10,001 lbs. GVWR). Although that figure represents just 5.8 % of all police-reported crashes, these incidents were disproportionately deadly, accounting for 71 fatal crash events, or 20.1 % of every fatal collision recorded statewide. Those 71 wrecks claimed 84 lives and left another 958 people injured; a further 716 crashes produced non-fatal injuries and 2,691 were classified as property-damage-only.
Compared with 2022, the overall number of truck-involved crashes fell by roughly 7 % (down from 3,743), yet fatal crashes climbed 16 % and total deaths rose 12 %, illustrating that severity, not frequency, was the dominant risk trend. KDOT also assigns an economic cost of $1.504 billion to 2023’s truck-related crashes, a price tag that exceeds the combined cost of every work-zone, school-bus, and train-related crash in the same year. All told, a truck-involved collision occurred every 2.5 hours somewhere in Kansas, and a life was lost in one of those events roughly every 4 days.
These statistics underscore why carriers, shippers, and road-safety planners continue to focus on driver attentiveness, adequate following distance, and aggressive enforcement of hours-of-service rules.
How Can an Attorney Help After a Wichita Truck Accident?
Hiring an experienced Wichita truck accident attorney can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Truck accident claims are rarely straightforward; they often involve multiple parties, complex insurance coverage, and federal regulations that the average motorist may not be familiar with. At Riedmiller, Andersen & Scott, our legal team is here to guide you through every step of the process, fight for your rights, and help you get the compensation you deserve after a Wichita truck accident.
Here’s how we help Wichita truck accident victims:
- Conduct a Thorough Investigation: We quickly begin gathering key evidence before it’s lost or destroyed. This includes trucking logs, black box data, electronic logging devices (ELDs), maintenance records, dashcam footage, witness statements, and accident reconstruction reports. A fast, aggressive investigation gives your claim a stronger foundation.
- Identify All Liable Parties: Truck accidents often involve more than just the driver. Depending on the circumstances, we may pursue claims against the trucking company, maintenance providers, freight loaders, or even parts manufacturers. Holding all responsible parties accountable ensures you don’t leave compensation on the table.
- Negotiate With Insurance Companies: Commercial truck insurers often try to minimize payouts by shifting blame or undervaluing your injuries. Our Wichita attorneys handle all communication and negotiation, using evidence and expert analysis to push back against low settlement offers and fight for the compensation you truly need.
- Ensure Compliance With Deadlines: In Wichita, Kansas, personal injury claims must generally be filed within two years of the accident date, according to K.S.A. § 60-513. Failing to meet this deadline can result in your case being dismissed entirely. We make sure your claim is filed on time and complies with all procedural requirements.
- Calculate Full Damages: Truck accidents often result in life-changing injuries and long-term financial burdens. We work with medical experts, vocational specialists, and economists to accurately calculate your total damages, not just your current expenses, but also the long-term costs you may face in the future.
Our firm is committed to helping Wichita truck accident victims secure the resources they need to recover, rebuild, and move forward with confidence. From day one, we’ll be in your corner, advocating for justice.
What Damages Are Available After a Truck Accident in Wichita?
If you've been injured in a truck accident in Wichita, you may be entitled to recover several types of damages, both economic and non-economic, depending on the severity of the crash and the impact it has had on your life. These damages are designed to compensate you for your losses and help restore your financial and personal well-being.
Common damages available in Wichita truck accident cases include:
- Medical Expenses: Coverage for emergency room visits, surgeries, hospital stays, physical therapy, prescription medications, and long-term medical care.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost while recovering from your injuries, including time missed from work, missed promotions, or reduced hours due to physical limitations.
- Loss of Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or working at all, you may be entitled to compensation for diminished future earnings.
- Pain and Suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological trauma caused by the crash and its aftermath.
- Property Damage: Reimbursement for the repair or replacement of your vehicle and any personal property damaged in the accident.
- Disfigurement or Disability: Compensation for permanent physical impairments, scarring, or loss of bodily function.
- Loss of Consortium: In some cases, spouses may recover damages for the loss of companionship, support, or affection resulting from the injuries.
Every truck accident case is unique. At Riedmiller, Andersen & Scott, we take the time to fully understand your injuries and your long-term needs to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. We also serve injured victims in Wichita and throughout the state of Kansas in a number of different personal injury matters, such as:
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Wichita truck accident, we are here for you. Call us today or connect with us online to learn more.
Contact Riedmiller, Andersen & Scott After a Wichita Truck Accident
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Wichita or anywhere in Sedgwick County, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. The legal process can be overwhelming , especially when you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies that are more focused on protecting their bottom line than helping you recover. The veteran
Wichita truck accident lawyers at Riedmiller, Andersen and Scott represent injury victims and their families in Wichita, Kansas and the surrounding areas, including Valley Center, Park City, Kechi, Bel Aire, Eastborough, Andover, Derby, Newton, El Dorado, Arkansas City, Winfield, Haysville, Goddard and Maize.
At Riedmiller, Andersen & Scott, we’re committed to standing up for truck accident victims in Wichita and throughout the great state of Kansas. Our attorneys have extensive experience handling complex commercial vehicle cases in Wichita and going head-to-head with large trucking companies and their insurers. We know how to uncover critical evidence, build a strong case, and pursue every dollar you’re entitled to.
Let us take the legal burden off your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Call today for a free consultation or fill out our secure online form to connect with a dedicated Wichita truck accident attorney and see how we can make a real difference in your case.
