The most common causes of truck accidents in Pennsylvania are, by and large, the same factors that lead to incidents with other vehicles on our state’s roads. The key difference is that, because trucks are so much bigger and heavier, the outcomes involved can be much worse.
In this post, we discuss the biggest risk factors for trucking accidents in our state. Being aware of these should help you to stay safer on the roads and maintain an awareness of the dangers you face as a driver in Pennsylvania.
According to research published by the AAA Foundation, drowsy driving was a factor in over 17% of the fatal crashes on American roads between 2017-2021. In two-thirds of these cases, the study estimated, intoxication from alcohol was not a factor at all.
Drowsy driving is a particularly pertinent issue in the commercial trucking industry because of the pressure drivers face to cover long distances under tight deadlines. To address this threat, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes hours of service (HOS) regulations, which set out the following restrictions on cargo-carrying trucks:
It’s worth noting that the restrictions on passenger-carrying vehicles (such as buses and coaches) are slightly different, though they also fall under the authority of the FMCSA.
Closely related to the problem of fatigue is the high-pressure environment many truck drivers work in. Some trucking companies set tight deadlines and busy schedules to keep their profit margins high; this can take its toll on drivers.
If your truck accident was caused by unsafe scheduling, the trucking company should be liable to compensate you for the damages you’ve suffered.
Smartphones have made distracted driving a much bigger issue on American roads than it once was. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 3,308 deaths related to distracted driving in 2022 (the most recent year for which complete statistics are available).
Common distractions include:
Federal regulations govern how truck companies should load freight, but violations often occur. Problems include:
The legal blood alcohol limit for truckers is lower than for other drivers (0.04% compared to 0.08%). Other substances can cause issues as well; some truckers rely on stimulants to stay awake, which can lead to erratic behavior when the effects wear off. Prescription drugs can also impair judgment and reaction times, even when taken legally.
If you can prove that the truck driver in your accident was intoxicated, you may be entitled to punitive damages. This is extra compensation in your settlement or verdict that aims to punish the defendant, rather than directly cover any economic or noneconomic loss you may have suffered. Punitive damages are available only in situations involving extremely reckless or intentional conduct; most road accident cases do not satisfy this standard, but driving under the influence is a potential exception.
Pennsylvania’s unpredictable weather is another common factor in truck accidents. Heavy snow, icy roads, and torrential rain can reduce visibility and make braking more difficult. While bad weather causes problems for vehicles of all kinds, trucks are particularly vulnerable due to their size and weight.
Not all truck drivers receive adequate training before hitting the road. A lack of proper instruction on handling large vehicles can lead to dangerous mistakes, especially in tight urban areas like Philadelphia.
Key skills that untrained drivers may lack include:
Trucks have much bigger blind spots than passenger vehicles. When truck drivers fail to properly check their blind spots or signal lane changes in sufficient time, severe side-impact or rear-end collisions can result.
As the driver of a passenger car or motorcycle, you may not realize you’re in a truck’s blind spot; truckers are trained to be conscious of this and drive accordingly. If they fail to use this training, this will generally constitute negligence on their part.
While truck drivers are often blamed for accidents, passenger vehicle drivers can also contribute. Aggressive behaviors like cutting off a truck, lingering in blind spots, or failing to yield can lead to crashes.
This is another factor that affects every driver but poses a much greater risk when it impacts trucks. Potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces can all destabilize trucks, particularly those carrying heavy loads.
This is a particularly big problem in Pennsylvania, where aging roads have long been acknowledged as a public health risk. According to a US News analysis, Pennsylvania is ranked 41st out of all American states when it comes to road quality.
If you get into a truck accident due to a road maintenance issue, you may be entitled to file suit against the public authority in charge of the road in question. You should note, though, that the doctrine of sovereign immunity can make it difficult to file a successful lawsuit against a government agency in Pennsylvania.
For a more detailed explanation of how this rule might affect your case, you should visit us for a free initial consultation about your case.
Defective brakes, tires, or steering systems can all contribute to collisions. For this reason, there are strict maintenance and inspection requirements to which trucking companies must adhere, per Pennsylvania law.
Every vehicle’s key components must be checked by a certified inspector at least once a year to ensure they’re in safe working order. Haulage companies must keep records of maintenance schedules for every truck they have on the road, and drivers must also self-inspect their own trucks before each trip.
If your accident came about because of a truck maintenance issue, liability may fall on the trucking company, the inspector, or the company that sold the defective part.
Truck accident cases are often more complex than other types of road accident disputes. There is often uncertainty around who should be liable for damages, and you could end up waiting a long time for compensation while such issues are sorted out. To minimize this risk, you should hire an experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyer with a reputation for delivering results to clients.
Contact the Cochran Firm in Philadelphia today to schedule a free initial consultation about your case. You can reach us over the phone (our number is 800-969-4400) or online.
