arizona asphalt blur

Wilkes-Barre Truck Accident Lawyer Explains Common Causes

Trucks are the largest vehicles on the road, which alsomakes them among the most dangerous. Fully loaded 18-wheelers can weigh up to80,000 pounds and may travel at speeds of up to 65 miles per hour. Commercialtrucks cause massive destruction when they slam into other objects or vehicles,even at low speeds. Victims of truck accidents who survive often sufferlife-altering injuries that incur millions of dollars in expenses over thecourse of a lifetime. Fatalitiesare also far more likely in accidents involving commercialtrucks.

There are common causes of truck accidents in Pennsylvania.Read below to learn more about common causes of truck accidents in our state.

Fatigued Driving, Hours of Service and Truck Accidents

Fatigued driving is a major cause of truck accidents. In fact, solving the fatigued driving problem in the commercial trucking industry has been a major headache for regulators and commercial carriers. There are a couple of reasons why fatigued driving can lead to a truck accident.

Federal hours of service rules dictate how long truck drivers can operate before needing to take a mandatory resting period. Electronic logging devices (ELDs) are supposed to prevent hours of service violations by digitally recording driving time and distance. Before ELDs became mandatory for most of the commercial trucking industry, some truck drivers would enter their time in paper logbooks. Drivers could falsify the information in logbooks to circumvent hours of service rules.

Unfortunately, due to the inability to falsify ELDs, more drivers are speeding to get to their destinations. More research is necessary to determine whether ELDs can prevent truck accidents. Since ELDs only recently became mandatory, it could be years before we know for sure whether the devices are working as intended. Some trucks are exempt from using ELDs, and older trucks may lack the technology to use ELDs.

Certain health conditions, such as untreated obstructivesleep apnea, can also cause drowsiness while driving. Obstructive sleep apneais a health condition that causes a cessation in normal breathing patternsduring REM and non-REM sleep. As a result, individuals with this condition areunable to maintain normal sleeping patterns. According to the Mayo Clinic,untreated obstructive sleep apnea can lead to daytime drowsiness and difficultyconcentrating. This combination of symptoms is extremely dangerous for anindividual who is operating an 80,000-pound vehicle.

Speeding, Reckless Driving and Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania

Speeding is one of the most common causes of truckaccidents, not only in Pennsylvania, but across the United States. Drivers,especially contractors, feel enormous pressure to arrive at their destinationson time. It is easier for a commercial carrier to fire a contractor than anemployee.

Truck drivers speed and drive dangerously if they are on stimulants or other drugs, such as methamphetamine, amphetamine or alcohol. Drug and alcohol use are a problem among commercial drivers, and there are numerous stories of drivers causing accidents or near-misses while on drugs. In one recent case, a truck driver made a cross country trip while on LSD, methamphetamine and cocaine. Fortunately, police arrested the driver.

Fatigue is another reason why commercial truckers driveabove the speed limit. Perhaps most famously, comedian Tracy Morgan suffered abrain injury after being hit by a Walmart driver who was speeding at the timeof the crash. Investigators determined the driver, Kevin Roper, had been awakefor 28 hours and was driving at 20 miles per hour above the posted speed limitwhen he crashed.

Distracted driving is another common cause of fatal truckaccidents in Pennsylvania. Much like regular drivers, commercial truckers mayuse their phones while driving. Federal regulations exist that bar commercialtruckers from conducting certain actions with their phones. Some truckersignore these regulations and cause accidents.

Negligent Hiring and Truck Accidents

Unethical business owners cut corners to increase profits.In the commercial trucking industry, unethical business practices get peoplekilled or seriously injured. This is true in Pennsylvania and across thecountry.

Commercial carriers may hire truck drivers who are notqualified or have poor driving records. There are even instances of truckingcompanies hiring drivers who lack a commercial driver’s license (CDL). In othercases, commercial carriers may hire drivers with disqualifying medicalconditions or suspended CDLs. These are drivers who are likely unhirableanywhere else, and commercial carriers may give these drivers a lowball offerto save money.

Drivers may continue to operate with a suspended CDL, which greatly increases the risk of an accident. In Pennsylvania, drivers must inform their employers of suspensions. Drivers do not always inform their employers, and innocent people lose their lives as a result.

Training is also very important in the commercial truckingindustry. When drivers lack proper training, they are far more likely to causeaccidents.

Poor Maintenance Practices and Truck Accidents

Like any vehicle, commercial trucks break down withoutregular maintenance. Commercial carriers may fail to perform maintenance due tothe expenses involved. Carriers may not want to replace expensive parts, suchas engines or transmissions. Once again, unethical business practices can veryeasily cause fatal truck accidents.

When brakes, tires and other equipment are not replaced,trucks cannot safely operate without putting everyone else at risk. Forinstance, a truck with worn brake pads is going to take longer to stop (if itstops at all). Pieces of equipment, such as a driver’s shaft, may come looseand hit other motorists. Worn tires may cause truck drivers to lose control oftheir vehicles, especially during rain or freezing conditions.

Improper Loading and Truck Accidents

Commercial carriers and freight companies may cause truckaccidents when trucks are not loaded properly. Cargo can shift, especiallyduring sharp turns, which increases the risk of a rollover accident. Improperlyload trucks can also jackknife, which would cause the driver to lose controland possibly strike other vehicles or buildings. In other cases, cargo can fallfrom trucks and strike other motorists.

Contact a Wilkes-Barre Truck Accident Lawyer for More Information

Multiple parties could be liable for your accident. It is important to contact a truck accident attorney soon after the wreck occurs. Evidence that is crucial to your truck accident claim can disappear or become unusable. Your attorney can prevent spoliation of evidence. In addition, a truck accident attorney can provide you with advice that can prevent you from making mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.

There are many situations and mistakes that could keep youfrom obtaining an adequate settlement or verdict. After a truck accident, it iscrucial that you give yourself the best chance to obtain compensation capableof covering your injuries or loss.

O’Donnell Law Offices can help with auto accident and truck accident claims. Contact us today at 570-821-5717 for a free consultation with a Wilkes-Barre truck accident lawyer.

Comments are closed.