412-837-8426

Truck Accidents And Causes

April 27, 2015

Truck accidents between tractor trailer drivers and passenger vehicles seems to be on the rise in our region. As such, injuries and deaths associated with these accidents are also on the rise in Pennsylvania. Truck drivers individually log hundreds of thousands of miles a year and the companies they work for count on their drivers to meet time-sensitive deadlines that could otherwise cost them thousands of dollars if those deadlines are not met. Although many truckers tend to get a bad rap, the truth is that the majority of them follow company policies and federal laws; however, there will always be those few who make poor decisions and break the rules for their own selfish benefit.

A recent study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reported the number of fatal truck accidents in 2014 to be more than 3421. That number was up by nearly one hundred from 2013. Truck accident injuries in 2014 totaled more than 60,000. That was more than 4000 more than 2013.

Another FMCSA study says that truck driver fatigue and lack of sleep, as well as trucker speeding, are the most recurring factors when it comes to truck accidents. But one of the main reasons that many passenger vehicles are involved in accidents when commercial tractor trailers are on the road is because of what the FMCSA calls “highway bullying.” Highway bullying doesn’t always necessarily end in damages to the truck, but when truckers “bully” passenger vehicle drivers, it can often cause them to have accidents of their own and cause multi-car pile-ups with other passenger vehicle drivers.

Many victims of highway accidents claim that they were being tailgated by a tractor trailer, causing them to tense up and lose focus of other vehicles around them. Some drivers say they lose their bearings when switching lanes to avoid being tailgated by trucks and this can lead to accidents. Anonymous truckers admit to doing this in an effort to pass and avoid a cluster of smaller cars. In addition, truckers will suddenly switch lanes to show drivers that the road is belong to them and as a warning for other drivers to keep their distance.

But truckers have rules and laws to follow and need to be held strictly responsible. When truckers fail to take the proper amount of breaks and get the necessary sleep, or when they speed in order to reach a customer sooner, they are violating company policies, state laws, and federal laws. If you’ve been injured because of a trucker’s negligence, or if you have lost someone close to you who was killed by a negligent trucker’s actions, it is extremely important that you secure yourself a competent truck accident attorney who will work to enforce justice against all responsible parties. At Goodrich

GET A FREE CONSULTATION

TELL US WHAT HAPPENED

2 men sitting at a table

Basic Steps to Selecting the Right Attorney

Online, on TV, on billboards, on radio, you face a constant barrage of ads promoting attorneys. How can you know which one is the right one for you?

 

At Goodrich & Geist, we believe that there are three basic qualifications individuals seeking an attorney should always look for.

TRUST. EXPERIENCE. TRACK RECORD.

“We had a wonderful experience working with this firm. Josh Geist was professional, easy to talk to, answered all our questions, and was forth coming with all that was going on. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an attorney who truly has your best interest at heart.”

More Client Reviews

We Are Leaders in THE FIELD OF Personal Injury

We are considered leaders in our own profession. We give lectures on personal injury law and teach other lawyers the nuances of how to build solid cases, secure evidence and obtain successful outcomes — all in an effort to see that more injured victims receive justice. We also take an active role in relevant legal associations.

Our Approach

BIG NUMBERS AND DOLLAR SIGNS CAN’T TELL YOU WHETHER A LAW FIRM IS RIGHT FOR YOU

When you’re choosing an advocate to fight for your rights, the first question you want to ask is, “Does this attorney understand someone like me?” and “Have they had success in handling a case like mine?”

Case Results

Do YOU HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

Maybe our FAQ will help