There are many different types of vehicles on the road in Pennsylvania every day. If a driver does not operate their vehicle safely, they can cause dangerous accidents. Trucks are the largest vehicle on the road, weighing more than 30 times as much as a passenger car. This can make it very difficult to control and navigate the vehicle on the road, making truck accidents the most dangerous kind to happen. If you were injured in a truck accident, a Bucks County attorney can help your case.
Types of Accidents
There are many different ways a truck accident can occur. Every outcome of these accidents can be different depending on the size of the vehicle the truck collided with and the speeds they were both going. Some examples of truck accidents may include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rollover accidents
- Blind spot accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride accidents
Causes of Accidents
Accidents can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, an accident can happen because of poor road or weather conditions. There are other cases in which an accident may be due to negligent driving. Some examples of driver negligence can include:
- Safety regulations: If a truck driver changes lanes, passes other drivers in an unsafe manner, or drives too closely behind other drivers, they are violating the rules of the road.
- Reckless driving: Truck drivers need a length of about two football fields in order to come to a complete stop. This can make it difficult to do so if the driver is operating the truck dangerously or over the speed limit.
- Poor visibility: Because of their size, truck drivers cannot see the entire road. They have large blind spots that can trap smaller cars and cause accidents to happen.
- Drowsy driving: The law limits truck drivers to drive 11 hours within a 14-hour work day. This gives them a maximum of 70 hours of driving a week. If they drive longer than this, they can cause an accident due to drowsy driving.
- Mechanical problems: It is possible for trucks to experience mechanical issues such as tire blowouts, brake issues, breakdowns, and more that lead to an accident.
Negligence
People who are injured in accidents due to negligence often wish to hold the driver responsible. This requires them to satisfy the burden of proof through evidence that the driver was negligent, thus leading to the accident and their injuries. Trucks often have a “black box” that contains a record of the truck’s speed before an accident. This can be used as evidence in a case against the truck driver. It is important to secure this information from either the truck company or an insurance company before it can be deleted.
Contact our Firm
Attorney Newman has represented clients in Pennsylvania for over 45 years. If you need an experienced attorney to help guide you through the personal injury claims process or with any criminal defense matters, Attorney Newman is ready to help. Contact The Law Office of Neal E. Newman today to schedule a consultation.