Pennsylvania accidents involving large trucks can happen anywhere in the state. Typically, when a large truck and a passenger vehicle collide, the injuries can be severe to catastrophic. Drivers of 18-wheeler trucks are subject to additional federal regulations to help keep our roads safer. However, there are still thousands of fatalities across the country every year. If you or someone you love was injured or killed in a large truck accident in Pennsylvania, speak with an experienced  truck accident lawyer right away.

At O’Donnell Law Offices, we have years of experience helping Pennsylvania clients get the compensation they deserve after being struck by a large truck. Here is a look at some of the most common causes of these deadly accidents.

Distracted Drivers

You might assume that truck drivers know how deadly an accident can be, so they are less distracted than other drivers. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Because these drivers are on the road for so many hours, they get bored and start looking for something else to occupy their time. Perhaps they are using their phones to call people or check social media. They might be looking at a GPS or map system, changing the radio station, eating and drinking, etc. Numerous distractions can divert their attention for a second, which could lead to an accident.

Fatigue

There are federal regulations on how much time a truck driver can be behind the wheel and on the road. Despite this, truck drivers still push themselves. Sometimes, the trucking company is encouraging them to violate the rules to get shipments delivered faster. Truck drivers typically only get paid by the load, so there is an incentive for them to break the laws. This can lead to becoming fatigued on the road and lead to deadly accidents.

Speeding

In a truck driver’s attempt to deliver the shipment faster, speeding is also a common cause of large truck accidents. In some cases, truck drivers are not driving faster than the speed limit but driving too fast for the conditions. Adverse weather means you should slow down, but some drivers will keep pushing through, trying to shave off a little drive time.

Poor Truck Maintenance and Inexperienced Drivers

Truck drivers are required to do maintenance and safety checks before heading out on the road. Failure to do so can result in tire blowouts, faulty brakes, unsecured loads, etc. Sometimes, drivers don’t do all their checks because they are inexperienced or because they are in a hurry. They figure why to waste time doing a safety check when they could be using to get to their delivery destination faster.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Anything that causes a driver to be impaired is dangerous. But, when that person is driving an 18-wheeler truck, the danger significantly increases. Drug use is not limited to illicit drugs either. Prescription medication can impair a driver and lead to an accident and arrest for driving under the influence.

Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer

If you were injured due to a truck driver’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and property damage. Our truck accident lawyers can help. Schedule a free initial consultation with the personal injury attorneys at the O’Donnell Law Offices serving clients in Kingston, Wilkes Barre, Hazleton, and Pittston at 570-821-5717 or online today. There is no fee or costs until we win your case.

Comments are closed.