HKQ Attorneys
What You Need to Know about Truck Accidents
It goes without saying that crashes involving large commercial trucks are very different from typical car crashes. The size, weight, and operation of these huge vehicles create unique hazards that can often lead to more severe injuries.
In Pennsylvania, truck accidents often occur on major highways such as I-81, I-80, I-476, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike. High speeds combined with heavy vehicles create very dangerous conditions for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians in surrounding areas.
Federal law allows a fully loaded tractor-trailer to weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When that heavy vehicle collides with a passenger car, the smaller vehicle absorbs much greater force, and that increases the likelihood of catastrophic injuries or death.
Truck accident cases are more complex than typical car crashes because truck accidents may involve several parties who are liable. These can include the truck driver, the trucking company, the company responsible for loading the cargo, the truck manufacturer, or a maintenance contractor. Each of these parties may carry separate insurance policies and legal defenses.
Federal regulations through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration govern how long truck drivers can be on the road without rest. Drivers must keep detailed logbooks, either electronically or on paper, recording their time behind the wheel. Fatigue is one of the most common factors in truck accidents, and violations of these rules can play a major role in determining responsibility.
Improper loading of trucks is another major risk factor. Cargo that is overweight or unevenly distributed can make a truck harder to control, can increase stopping distance, and can lead to rollovers or jackknife accidents.
Maintenance issues can also contribute to truck crashes. Worn brakes, tire blowouts, steering problems, and lighting failures can all lead to dangerous situations on highways and local roads.
Because trucking companies and their insurers often begin investigating immediately, evidence can disappear quickly. This includes driver logs, black box data, dash camera footage, and maintenance records. Preserving this evidence is critical in determining the full cause of the crash.
Understanding the complexities involved in trucking collisions is essential for anyone injured in an accident with a commercial vehicle.