Bethlehem Truck Accident Lawyer
Semi trucks are common in Pennsylvania. These large vehicles traverse the various freeways and interstates, hauling consumer goods from place to place. While semi trucks are necessary, they can be dangerous.
These trucks can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. That’s 20 times the size of the average passenger vehicle. This means that if you were to get into an accident with a semi truck, the odds are against you. You would most likely not survive.
Semi trucks are not the only trucks to cause serious accidents, though. Dump trucks, cement trucks, garbage trucks, tow trucks, flatbed trucks, delivery trucks, and tankers can also be involved.
Truck accidents are not only dangerous, but they are also complex. Insurance companies and trucking companies try to hide evidence of these crashes because they do not want to be held liable.
This means that if you have been involved in a truck accident, you need aggressive legal representation on your side. The Bethlehem truck accident lawyer at The O’Donnell Law Offices have the experience to guide you through the claim process.
Causes of Truck Accidents
Most truck accidents are caused by the driver’s negligence. They tend to happen due to the following:
- Distracted driving. Distracted driving is a serious issue even for truck drivers. They drive for long hours and are often bored, causing them to get distracted. They may use their phone or try to find some good music on the radio. When truck drivers are not focused on driving, accidents can happen.
- The law limits truck drivers to a maximum of 11 hours of work after 10 consecutive hours off duty. However, not all trucking companies follow this law. Drivers are under pressure to meet deadlines. Many drive even when fatigued, putting the lives of others on the road at risk.
- Truck drivers have commercial driver’s licenses, which means that the legal limit is set at a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of 0.04. This is lower than the typical limit of 0.08, so truck drivers are held to a higher standard. As you can imagine, drunk driving is an especially serious issue for someone driving a truck that could weigh as much as 40 tons.
- Poor maintenance. Semi trucks need to be in good working order. These vehicles are driven for hundreds of miles a day and require regular maintenance. When trucks are not properly maintained, they may suffer from issues such as tire blowouts, malfunctioning brakes, and engine problems.
Contact O’Donnell Law Offices Today
Truck accidents are often deadly in nature. Those who survive often tend to suffer from catastrophic injuries.
Have you been affected? If so, the Bethlehem truck accidents lawyer at O’Donnell Law Offices can help. These cases can be complex, so act quickly. Contact us as soon as possible so we can get started. Schedule a free consultation by filling out the online form or calling (570) 821-5717.
