January 16, 2025 | Accidents

Accidents involving tractor-trailers (big rigs or 18-wheelers) often result in severe consequences. Nebraska sees thousands of big-rigs covering hundreds of thousands of miles on the state’s highways every year. There are thousands of accidents involving these large vehicles annually. He reported a total of 2,215 incidents involving semi-trailers in 2020. This accounted for 4.4 percent of the accidents in the state that year. Below are some examples of more recent incidents.

Semi-Trailer Accidents in Omaha

December, 2024 – A man was killed when his Toyota SUV collided with a semi-truck just northwest of Eppley Airfield in Omaha. The driver of the SUV ran a stop sign and collided with the trailer of the semi-truck. He was reported to have died shortly after being transported to hospital. The driver of the Semi was unharmed. However, he was cited for driving without a commercial driver’s license as well as DUI.

October, 2024 – A semi-truck driver was killed in a single vehicle crash in Omaha near Odebolt. Law enforcement at the scene reported that the semi-truck rolled into a field off the west of the road. The driver was pinned in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. He appeared not to have been wearing his seatbelt at the time of the accident.

November, 2024 – A semi-truck driver suffered serious injuries when his truck rolled over on the 1-80 near Minden, Omaha. The truck driver was pinned in his cab. Rescuers managed to get him out and he was transported by air to a nearby hospital.

November, 2024 – A multi-vehicle accident on the I-29 near Watson resulted in the death of three and left three injured. The accident involving four vehicles occurred early in the morning. One of the vehicles involved was a tractor-trailer. The drivers of two of the passenger vehicles were pronounced dead at the scene along with the passenger of one of the vehicles. The crash was initiated when a Kia Sorento collided with a Ford Focus. The Ford Focus overturned ejecting one occupant. The semi-trailer swerved to avoid the accident and collided with the Chevrolet.

November, 2024 – One person was killed in a car accident involving a passenger vehicle and a semi-truck that occurred along I-80. The semi-truck was towing a trailer when the accident occurred. The driver of the passenger vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident. There was no information on what exactly caused the crash and investigations were ongoing at the time of the report.

Causes of Tractor-Trailer Truck Accidents

There are various factors that contribute to accidents involving semi-trailers. These include:

• Driver fatigue

This is one of the leading causes of tractor-trailer accidents. Truck drivers, seeking to meet deadlines or make more money by working overtime, may fall asleep while driving. Fatigued drivers may also be physically impaired. Sleep deprivation due to working long hours can result in lack of focus. This in turn can result in misjudgments or mistakes on the road. The driver’s response time may also be slower.

• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Driving a large and heavy vehicle while impaired by drugs or alcohol is extremely dangerous. However, many truck drivers do so. Some drink during breaks at rest-stops while others take drugs as stimulants while on a long haul. The side effects of these can result in hallucinations, irritation, drowsiness and overall impairment.

• Overloading or unsecured cargo

Tractor trailers are designed to carry heavy or large cargo. However, certain specifications must be met when loading the cargo. Exceeding weight or size limits can be disastrous. The same applies for cargo that is not loaded or secured properly. The vehicle may be difficult to control. It may shift, tip over or rollover. In addition, materials that are not properly secured may escape and cause dangerous road conditions for other road users.

• Mechanical problems

Mechanical problems such as underinflated tires, cracked windshields, faulty steering, transmission failure or faulty suspension can contribute to semi-trailer accidents. It is important for truck drivers and trucking companies to always ensure that the vehicle is in its best working condition before taking to the road. Mechanical failure can result in the driver losing control of the vehicle and causing a serious accident.

• Blind spots

Tractor-trailers are large vehicles. They have large blind spots. It can be difficult for truck drivers to see smaller vehicles when these vehicles are in their blind spots. It is important for other road users to understand that the blind spots on the larger vehicles are different from those on smaller vehicles.

Contact a Tractor Trailer Accidents Attorney in Omaha

Accidents involving tractor trailers often have severe consequences. Recovering compensation can be complex. Don’t hesitate to contact High & Younes Attorneys, LLC to schedule free consultation and get the help you need during this difficult period.

Tractor-Trailer Truck Accidents Attorneys Omaha