Why Some Truck Accidents Trigger Multi-Vehicle Crashes And What That Means For Injury Victims
When two cars get into an accident, it’s usually contained. There are a couple of vehicles and maybe a few injuries. But when a commercial truck is part of the crash, everything changes. These trucks are truly massive. Fully loaded, they can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. And it doesn’t take much for things to go wrong. Tire blowouts, brake failure, or operator error can suddenly cause a crash, and sometimes a pileup.
That’s exactly what happened on I-75 not long ago. According to a report from November 2025, a delivery truck drifted into another lane, causing a chain-reaction crash. Several cars were involved. One driver didn’t survive. Others were seriously hurt. Later, investigators said the truck driver was responsible. He wasn’t able to maintain his lane.
Every accident is different, but this one is a reminder of something important: When a big rig loses control, it’s not just a trucking issue; it becomes everyone’s problem, often with life-changing consequences.
Why truck accidents turn into multi-vehicle pileups
- Size and momentum – A fully loaded semi carries enormous forward momentum. When it strikes a smaller vehicle, that vehicle may spin or be pushed into nearby traffic, causing a cascading effect.
- Blind spots – Commercial trucks have wide blind zones along both sides and directly behind the trailer. Cars traveling in these areas may be struck or squeezed into other lanes before the truck driver realizes what happened.
- Lane drift and wide turns – Even a slight drift from a distracted or fatigued driver can sweep across the entire lane. When this happens at highway speeds, nearby vehicles have only seconds to react.
- Cargo shifts and rollovers – If cargo is not secured properly, it can shift mid-turn, causing the trailer to fishtail or roll over. A rolling semi can crush multiple vehicles or block several lanes at once.
- Sudden stops that cause “accordion” collisions – When a truck stops abruptly, the vehicles behind it may not have the braking distance needed to avoid a crash, especially on busy highways. This often results in rear-end collisions involving five, ten, or even more cars.
Why these crashes are legally more complicated
Multi-vehicle accidents are not just physically devastating; they are legally complex. Determining fault requires sorting through many moving parts. These include:
- Who caused the initial impact?
- Did another vehicle worsen the chain reaction?
- Was the truck properly maintained?
- Was the driver distracted, fatigued, or speeding?
- Did road conditions or visibility play a role?
Since several insurance companies might be involved, victims are often pressured to accept low settlements before the full picture is understood.
Talk to a Jacksonville, FL, Personal Injury Attorney Today
Gillette Law represents the interests of plaintiffs who have been injured in truck accidents. Call our Jacksonville personal injury lawyers today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin investigating your case right away.
