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Truck driver hauling fuel said to be speeding at time of accident

On Behalf of | Jan 2, 2014 | Truck Accidents

A truck accident that occurred in Pennsylvania was blamed upon the speed being driven by the truck driver. According to a state trooper, an accident reconstruction demonstrated that the driver was traveling at 48 to 50 miles per hour at the time of the accident, and the designated speed limit for tractor-trailers at that area was 40 mph. The truck driver was charged with three summary offenses.

The truck was said to have been hauling 7,500 gallons of diesel fuel at the time that it flipped and burst into flames back on May 9th. This resulted in the interstate highway where the truck accident occurred being closed for several days. Traffic continued to be diverted to one lane on a westbound bridge since the accident.

The ensuing fire turned out to be quite costly. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation estimated that costs on rehabilitating the interchange could be $12 to $13 million. The fire apparently buckled steel beams. The damage was so severe that officials were concerned that the interstate may collapse.

Though the news story did not make any reports of injuries coming about due to this accident, it’s not difficult to imagine that circumstances could have turned out to be much worse. Even driving close to 10 miles per hour over the speed limit may have caused this truck to overturn. Also, with the truck carrying fuel, the risk to life was extremely great.

It’s because the consequences of a truck accident can be so extreme that truck drivers and truck companies need to be held accountable by victims and their attorneys after accidents take place. Though potential criminal charges may prevent a truck driver from performing the same actions again in the future, it does not necessarily mean that individuals will be compensated for any injuries that do take place.

Source: The Mercury, “Speed blamed for fiery tanker truck crash on I-81,” Dec. 3, 2013

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