According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were 450,000 police-reported crashes involving large trucks in 2017 alone. Of those 450,000 crashes, 4,237 were fatal and 344,000 involved injuries. Sharing the road with large trucks is a part of the life of a motor vehicle driver. Unfortunately, the size of these trucks means they are more dangerous than other vehicles and cause some of the worst accidents on U.S. roads and highways. Take care when you are around these vehicles.
Pennsylvania Turnpike Closed Almost Nine Hours After Truck Accident Occurs
During the early hours of Friday, July 12th, a tractor-trailer overturned, shutting down a significant portion of the eastbound Pennsylvania Turnpike for hours. While the accident occurred around 4 a.m., the roadway did not reopen until just before 1 p.m. The overturned truck blocked all lanes past Exit 312, Downington. The big rig was hauling glass that broke all over the highway. It took crews several hours to remove all of it. Drivers were detoured between Exit 312, Downington, and Exit 326, Valley Forge. While this was a major inconvenience to many people on their morning commute, it is fortunate that there were no reported injuries as a result of the crash.
Crashes involving semi-trucks, tractor-trailers, and other large trucks used for hauling heavy loads often come with a significant amount of destruction. Fortunately, the accident involved here did not result in any injuries, but it is all too often that the most severe and fatal injuries occur as a result of a truck accident. The cause of the tractor-trailer overturning remains under investigation. Some of the most common causes of truck crashes are:
- Driver fatigue
- Improper driver training
- Failure to comply with truck maintenance safety standards
- Driving Under the Influence
Because of the sheer size and weight of a tractor-trailer, drivers must undergo extensive training to be prepared for the unique hazards that come with operating such a vehicle. It takes trucks longer to stop because they are so heavy. Turning in a tractor-trailer is completely different than in other vehicles. Blind spots are much more extensive and the fact that the driver sits up so much higher than other vehicles can also make it more difficult to see other smaller vehicles on the road. These are all things that a truck driver should be aware of and in command of before heading out on long hauls. Additionally, the truck should always comply with the required safety checks to make sure it is fully operational and carrying properly loaded cargo.
If you are in a car or other motor vehicle sharing the road with a semi-truck or tractor-trailer, be aware of the unique dangers of such a situation. Remember that the truck has large blind spots. Avoid entering these blind spots and remain as visible to the driver as possible. Remember that it takes these trucks more time to brake. This means keeping a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck. If you need to pass the truck, do so quickly. Remain vigilant to help keep everyone on the road safer.
Truck Accident Attorneys
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you may have sustained severe injuries that will require extensive and continuing treatment. With mounting medical bills and the possibility that you will be unable to return to work as soon as you’d like, you are likely under a large amount of financial stress and pressure. Cooper Schall & Levy are here to be your advocate. We stand up for our clients and fight for their right to full and fair compensation. Contact us today.
