The size disparity between commercial trucks and other vehicles on the roadway is rather large. As a result, truck accidents can be especially devastating for the vehicle the truck collides with, while the truck driver may walk away unscathed. This is even more true for pedestrians. Because of this great potential for harm, truck drivers must exercise a greater degree of care than other drivers to ensure that their actions do not result in an accident that causes serious injury or even death.
A truck accident occurred recently in Pennsylvania early one weekday morning. Two fatalities resulted from the accident. Both were men from Baltimore and one was age 29. The age of the other man is yet unknown. The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured in the crash. The accident is still under investigation but no charges were initially filed against the truck driver.
Although some accidents may be unavoidable, many accidents involving large semi-trucks result from negligence. Truck drivers are often pushed to deliver their loads in short time frames and this may increase the likelihood of dangerous things like truck driver fatigue, reckless driving and speeding. Other factors that commonly contribute to accidents include the use of drugs and alcohol, poor truck maintenance and inadequate driver training.
Truck accidents are different from car accidents because several different defendants may exist. In addition to the truck driver, an injured person may be able to make a claim against the manufacturer of the truck or the trucking company. A successful case often involves careful investigation of the facts of the accident, including those that are less obvious. An attorney with knowledge of the industry and experience handling these types of claims will be better equipped to help Pennsylvania residents who have been injured in a truck accident.
Source: The Baltimore Sun, “Two Baltimore men killed in Pennsylvania tractor-trailer crash,” Nayana Davis, March 7, 2014