The 8 most common types of truck accidents

Study reveals various types of incidents involving trucks and the victim groups involved

A study by Volvo Trucks on the most common road accidents reveals various incidents involving trucks and the affected victim groups. The aim of this study is to prevent and raise awareness about these accidents to enhance road safety. According to the company’s classification, eight types of accidents are identified, categorized into three groups of affected parties.

Driving a truck requires utmost concentration and responsibility from both the driver and other road users. Familiarizing oneself with different accident types helps transport companies implement necessary measures to ensure driver safety.

Serious injuries and fatalities in accidents involving heavy trucks typically fall into one of these three categories:

Vehicle occupants: 55-65%
Pedestrians and cyclists: 25-30%
Truck occupants: 10-15%

Most common types of truck accidents

1. Run-off-road accidents

When a truck leaves its lane and goes off-road, often resulting in rollovers or collisions with objects, accounting for approximately 35-40% of accidents causing serious injuries or death to truck occupants. This type of accident is often caused by driver fatigue or distraction or swerving to avoid obstacles. Other common causes include slippery road conditions or tire blowouts. The main victims of these accidents are truck occupants.

2. Vehicle rollovers

Truck rollovers are mainly caused by loss of stability, representing about 20% of accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries to vehicle occupants. This type of accident is typically caused by driving at inappropriate speeds for conditions, combined with factors such as inexperienced drivers, unstable loads, and slippery road conditions. The main victims of these incidents are truck occupants.

3. Head-on collisions with another vehicle

Head-on collisions between trucks and oncoming vehicles account for 5-15% of accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries to truck occupants, and 25-35% of accidents causing serious or fatal injuries to car occupants. These collisions are often caused by cars veering into the truck’s lane. When the truck crosses into the opposite lane, causes include driver inattention, curves with poor visibility, tire blowouts, narrow roads, or slippery conditions. The main victims of these accidents are truck occupants and occupants of other vehicles.

4. Rear-end collisions

Truck rear-end collisions with vehicles represent 15-25% of accidents resulting in serious or fatal injuries to truck occupants, and about 10% of accidents causing serious or fatal injuries to other vehicle occupants. These are often caused by driver distraction or inattention, following too closely, limited visibility conditions, or slippery roads. Victims of these accidents include both truck occupants and occupants of other vehicles.

5. Lane change accidents

Accidents where a truck collides while changing lanes represent about 15-20% of accidents. Common causes include lack of attention and limited visibility. In these accidents, the main victims are occupants of other vehicles.

6. Frontal collisions with a pedestrian or cyclist

This type of accident constitutes approximately 50% of fatal or serious accidents involving pedestrians or cyclists. Major causes include poor visibility from the truck cabin in 75% of cases, poorly adjusted mirrors, lack of communication between the driver and road users, driver stress, lack of attention, or distraction. The main victims of these incidents are pedestrians and cyclists, considered vulnerable road users.

7. Reversing accidents

Accidents where a truck hits a pedestrian, cyclist, or another vehicle while reversing represent about 12% of truck accidents involving pedestrians. Common causes include obstructed visibility from the truck cabin, unclear routines or lack of awareness, driver stress, lack of attention, or distraction. The main victims of these accidents are vulnerable road users.

8. Turning collisions

This type of accident represents approximately 35% of truck accidents with cyclist victims and 15% of accidents with pedestrian victims. The most common causes, in over 70% of cases, are visibility issues from the cabin, especially on the passenger side. Other causes include poorly adjusted side mirrors, lack of communication between the driver and road users, driver stress, lack of attention, or distraction. The main victims of these accidents are vulnerable road users.