Truck Accidents

Calling all trucks in Pennsylvania

2010-11-23T19:39:00.000-08:00

Calling all trucks in Pennsylvania

According to new requirements handed down by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, all trucks must have a U.S Department of Transportation (DOT) number displayed on both sides of the track as well as their business name.

There is no charge to get a DOT number.

The reasoning behind this new requirement is to improve truck safety and driver safety for all.

2 Deaths: Dump Truck Collides with Car in Penna.

2010-10-30T18:04:00.000-07:00

Dump Truck Collides with Compact Car in Penna

The fatal dump truck-car-accident is under investigation.

Two elderly women who were sisters were killed when their car collided with a tri axle dump truck.

The dump truck driver said he tried but was unable to avoid hitting their car which had slowed to a stop.

Neighbors say where the accident happened is notorious for crashes because of speeding.

The investigation will determine the speeds of the car and truck, truck load capacity, and malfunctions to the vehicles.

New Jersey Truck Accident Closes Route 287

2010-09-15T13:30:00.000-07:00

Could this truck accident happen to you?

Route 287 in New Jersey was shut down in both directions when a tractor trailer struck a car belonging to a woman who had run out of gas.

The car careened into the center guard rail while the truck collided with the guard rail and hit a pole that holds an overhead highway sign, splitting its trailer and the truck’s gas tank in half.

About 50 gallons of diesel fuel spilled from the truck's gas tanks as well as 300 pound rolls of industrial paper.

Neither driver suffered life threatened injuries.

Everyone was lucky. It could have been a much worse accident.

Keep on Safe Trucking in Philadelphia, PA

2010-08-27T20:35:00.000-07:00

As a way to promote truck safety, the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association shared advice for accident free driving. The theme was about blind spots; it's important to realize that truck drivers and cars/SUVs have blind spots while on the move.

Every vehicle has potential blind spots. These blind spots can be larger around tractor-trailers, so it is important to teach other motorists the safest way to pass a truck. By interacting with drivers at these service plazas, I think we can make a difference and save lives.

The campaign known as Share the Road is a highway safety outreach program of the American Trucking Associations to educate all drivers about sharing the roads safely with large trucks. An elite team of professional truck drivers with millions of accident-free miles deliver life-saving messages to millions of motorists annually.

Fatal truck accident in Pa. kills one victim

2010-07-13T22:17:00.000-07:00

Monroe County, Pennsylvania

A tractor trailer that was heading north, crossed into southbound lanes. The truck driver killed the driver of the car. The truck driver was unhurt.

A van going north collided with the truck. A dozen people were in the van; the van collided with the trailer portion of the tractor trailer. Two of the van passengers suffered critical injuries while others in the van suffered minor injuries.

The road was shut down for hours as an investigation occurred.

Pickup truck causes fatal rollover accident

2009-09-22T13:21:00.000-07:00

A pickup truck clipped the front end of a car, as it tried to pass on the right, sending the car into the median. The car rolled over four times in the highway.

The accident claimed the life of a 17 year old girl, the fatal victim in the rollover. Other passengers in the car were not seriously injured. The teens in the car were returning home from a volleyball tournament and a mother was driving.

The driver of the pickup was not injured.

A passerby saw the terrible accident, saw the girl about 100-feet from the rolled over car, and held her hand until the ambulance arrived. She died at the hospital.

Hazards on Wheels: Dangerous Trucks

2009-08-28T14:31:00.000-07:00

So many trucks, so many preventable dangers

New government data reveals that more than 28,000 motor carrier companies, representing more than 200,000 trucks, are currently operating in violation of federal safety laws.

These trucks have incurred thousands of safety violations such as defective brakes, bad tires, loads that dangerously exceeded weight limits and drivers with little or no training or who are dependent on drug and alcohol. The results can be deadly.

West Virginia, North Dakota, Nebraska, Vermont, and Iowa have the highest rate of trucking companies in violation of federal safety requirements. The snowballing effects of violations will be deadly.

While truck accidents occur for a variety of reasons, many are preventable, and often a direct result of trucking companies violating safety standards to cut corners and maximize profits.

23 vehicle pile up, miracle no deaths

2009-02-07T09:40:00.000-08:00

An icy I-78 in eastern PA caused a 23-vehicle pileup when a tractor trailer jacknifed and cars skidded.

Authorities bussed people to safety and were evaluated by medical personnel and picked up by family and friends.

The interstate was shut down and vehicles were cleared.

Amazingly, no one was seriously hurt.

Truck Accidents and Lack of Sleep

2009-02-04T08:32:00.000-08:00

A recent study has revealed that long haul truck drivers tend to suffer from sleep deprivation, a condition that could negatively affect driving safety.

Goods being hauled are generally heavy, critical, and expensive. More experienced drivers are the ones taking the risks doing the longer hauls.

Long haul truck drivers are exposed to hazards such as sleep deprivation and loneliness. Long haul transportation is done mainly during night hours to avoid heavy traffic. Yet, momentary loss of concentration due to lack of sleep can prove costly to life, limb, and property. Many trucks have a bunk in their cab where the off duty driver can rest but most drivers want to be on schedule.

The trucking industry is also trying to entice more long haul drivers with incentives such as the ability to take along DVDs and mini refrigerators in their cabs, cell phones with unlimited calling allowances (oh, boy just what we need, truck drivers who are text messaging friends and family).

Perhaps there’s a better way to safety first?

Truck Accidents and Brake Failure

2009-01-30T18:38:00.000-08:00

A significant feature of trucks is that they take much longer to stop than cars after brakes are applied. Trucks have 60 to 80 percent braking efficiency which means they travel 25 to 65% longer before stopping.

Also surprisingly, a fully loaded truck has a greater braking efficiency than an empty truck.

Truck tires are made of hard rubber to withstand heavy loads. Yet, this feature also makes the truck tires have less friction value than car tires made from softer compound materials. Lesser friction creates lesser resistance to stop a vehicle.

The distribution of weight on the truck affects its brake balance or brake imbalance. Brake imbalances cause disastrous stability problems leading to brake failure and brake fires.

Skid testing is a method used to determine the decelerating capabilities of the truck. Another method is to determine how much braking force is available on a truck before there’s brake failure.

Big Rig Accidents and Bad Truck Design

2009-01-29T13:50:00.000-08:00

A study by The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) revealed that more than 25% of all big rig accidents are caused by large truck design defects. A big rig is simply a big truck that consists of a tractor and a trailer. Big rig accidents usually cause horrific injury with fatalities. Studies have shown that design defects contribute significantly to the cause of accidents.

Here are some big rig design defects:

A jackknife happens when a big rig skids and the trailer swings out and stops at a 90-degree angle. Jackknives occur when the front brakes lock and the trailer keep rolling forward. Such big rig accident may be the cause of multiple vehicle crashes.

Brake failure is a common design defect that leaves much tragedy in its wake. Demands on brakes when the truck is driving downhill are huge. It is no wonder that proper operation of brakes is vital for safety. The application pressure should be adequate (around 20 psi) so that all brake chambers function and all brake linings make solid contact with the drums.

A wheel blowout is the truck driver’s worst nightmare. The chances of a wheel blowout are most likely when the tire tread is old or worn. Many a gruesome pile up on a highway is caused by a wheel blowout.

Another problem related to bad big rig design is that a large truck tends to lose control if the equipment on the trailer is not properly secured which is especially problematic when changing lanes.

Financial Price of Truck Accident Safety

2008-11-22T13:32:00.000-08:00

Vehicle safety is often an issue of economics. If the technology and expertise exist to create safety precautions that might prevent trucking accidents then the question becomes whether the safety precautions cost less to make, install and use than truck accidents and their resulting damage to people and property cost. Information about both the cost of technology and truck accidents is necessary to make an accurate determination.

A study at Iowa State University’s Center for Transportation Research and Education addressed this question of economics and safety in the trucking industry. Specifically, the study looked at whether collision warning devices made sense economically.

A collision warning device would warn a truck driver of a potentially harmful situation and allow the driver to take actions to prevent the harm. For example, the collision warning device could warn a driver that he or she is about to make an unintentional lane change or roadway departure. The study looked at 345 million miles driven by truckers over a three year period and found that accident costs were slightly greater than one cent per mile. Only 15 percent of the accidents were attributable to unintentional lane changes or roadway departures.

The study concluded that a collision warning device that only warned drivers of unintentional lane changes and roadway departures would not likely be cost efficient. However, the study did conclude that collision warning devices that could warn drivers of more potentially dangerous situations would likely be cost efficient.

Please leave a comment and share how you feel.

Is the chance to save one or more human lives enough to justify the expense of collision warning devices? Should collision warning devices that could prevent truck accidents and resulting injuries be a matter of economics or if the technology exists should they be used regardless of the price?

Truck Overload Danger

2008-11-20T13:41:00.000-08:00

As the cost of transportation increases, the pressure to overload trucks and to squeeze every bit of cargo on to each truck is going to increase as well.

Trucking companies will be looking to save money and at least some of them will likely assume that they will be more fuel efficient if they cram as much cargo on to each truck as possible. By overloading the trucks, they will operate fewer trucks and pay for less gas and oil. They will also pay drivers for fewer hours and theoretically pay less in maintenance costs because fewer miles are driven.

However, overloading trucks can be dangerous and usually results in greater expenses. There are several potential hazards of overloading trucks. Some of the hazards include:
· Tire failure- A heavy truck that is carrying more than it is designed to carry overheats more quickly resulting in tire failure. Tire failure can result in serious accidents.
· Faster wear to the brakes and less efficient fuel use- This results in greater expenses than if the trucking company had used the truck at or below its ideal weight.
· Longer stop times- Overloaded trucks take longer to stop than trucks with a well distributed load. This means that in an emergency an overloaded truck is more likely to hit another vehicle because it cannot stop in time to prevent the accident. Accidents are costly in terms of injuries and money.

So, while trucking companies may be eager to overload their vehicles for short term gains in these times of high gas prices, it is a short term maneuver that is unlikely to save them money and may in fact cost them much more than they anticipated.

If you’d like to read about the technical aspects of the proper size and weight for trucks, please visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Study.

Truck Accidents Can be Deadly on Local Roads

2008-11-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Truck accidents are a national problem. They affect the flow of traffic on our nation’s highways. Truck accidents cause property damage and serious injuries and fatalities. The news is usually full of truck accidents on our nation’s interstate highways.

Truck accidents are also a local problem in New Jersey. Trucks must travel local roads in order to pick up and drop off their goods. Local roads create an entirely different set of problems for trucks. In many areas of the country, including Pennsylvania and New Jersey, local roadways are confusing. Speed limit signs may be too far apart. Roads may curve and be poorly marked. Truck drivers who are ending their shift may be tired which augments the dangers of unfamiliar local roads. Those conditions, taken together, can make local roads difficult to navigate, especially in inclement weather or at night.

Add to that, the likelihood of bicyclists and pedestrians on local roads and the potential for serious injury or death from a trucking accident becomes even greater.

The pedestrians who were hit by a truck on Broad Street in Woodbury New Jersey in June 2008 were able to survive their ordeal. The accident was caused by a truck that was speeding and didn’t see the pedestrians until just before he struck them. Residents of the city and city councilmen are expressing anger. They claim to have been asking the New Jersey Department of Transportation to do something about traffic patterns in order to make the area more pedestrian friendly. They complain the response from the Department of Transportation is always that another study needs to be done prior to instituting any changes.

What do you think? Should the New Jersey Department of Transportation change the traffic patterns and will it help prevent future accidents? Please leave a comment and let us know.

Learning to Share: The No – Zone Campaign

2008-11-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

What is the federal government doing to help prevent truck accidents?

Serious injuries and fatalities from truck accidents are a problem on the nation’s interstate highways and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is, by law, required to help people learn how to share the road safely with trucks and buses.

Since the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act was passed in 1991, the government has had the responsibility to educate the public on how to safely share the roadways with trucks and buses. To that end, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has developed a campaign.

What is the No -- Zone Campaign?

The No – Zone Campaign seeks to educate drivers about the blind spots of truckers or those areas where the trucker cannot safely see other vehicles.

The most likely cause of truck accidents is when cars, motorcycles or other vehicles are a truck’s blind spots. If car drivers know that trucks cannot safely see them, then their driving behavior is likely to change and fewer accidents and injuries are likely to occur.

So, the FMCSA has a series of television, radio and print public service announcements (PSAs) explaining where the blind spots are and how to drive safely near a truck. Many trucking companies also have detailed decals on their trucks explaining where the blind spots are and how to stay safe. Other efforts include creating a safety brochure that can be distributed and creating digital artwork that can be used by other groups, such as state agencies and driving schools, to promote safe driving initiatives.

For more information about the No – Zone Campaign, please visit the FMCSA website and always remember to share the road safely so that you can prevent a tragic accident.

Will the High Price of Gas Lead to Safer Trucking?

2008-11-11T13:16:00.000-08:00

As gas prices climb to unprecedented and often frightening highs, the negative impact of the high prices on the nation’s economy and individual consumer are well documented. When more money is going into the gas pump there is less money to be spent elsewhere. Families, as well as businesses, are feeling the pinch.

There could be something good coming from these high gas prices: News organizations such as the Pittsburgh Tribune Review are reporting that the high fuel prices have gotten the attention of the trucking industry and that the trucking industry is making attempts to use less fuel. That is good news, not only for the environment, but for safety on the nation’s roadways.

The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that local trucking companies are holding refresher training courses for their truck drivers on how to shift gears and brake effectively. These good driving habits will not only save on the cost of gas but also encourage truck drivers to pay attention to their driving and to drive safely.

Further, the paper reports that truck companies are aware that slower speeds are more fuel efficient. If drivers begin to drive at slower speeds, then fewer serious accidents are likely to occur.The news source also reports that many companies are looking to eliminate all of the unnecessary time that the trucks are idle. They are making it a top priority to ensure that a moving truck always has a load to carry and they are minimizing the amount of time that a truck is in operation without goods on board.

This may significantly cut down on the amount of trucks on the highways which, once again, is good for the economy, the environment and public safety because the fewer trucks that there are on the road, the fewer the number of accidents that are likely to occur.

Surface Transportation Assistance Act: Protecting Truck Drivers and the Public

2008-11-10T08:02:00.000-08:00

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act is designed to prevent trucking accidents by giving truck drivers job protection for certain whistle blowing activities. A driver has professional knowledge both about the specific truck he or she drives and about the safety of the conditions in which he or she is driving at any given time. Drivers also have motivation to protect themselves and not to put themselves in potentially dangerous or even fatal situations. So, it makes sense for the government to protect their jobs when they speak up about potentially unsafe conditions or refuse to drive in certain conditions.

The Surface Transportation Assistance Act specifically provides that a driver cannot be disciplined or fired for refusing to drive a truck (or other commercial motor vehicle) on the highway if that truck is in violation of a federal safety regulation or if the driver has a reasonable apprehension of injury to himself or to the public because of the vehicle’s unsafe condition. In order to be protected the employee must have requested that the employer fix the unsafe condition and the condition must have remained unsafe after that request. The full text of the law can be found at 49 U.S.C. §31105.

Further, a driver cannot be disciplined or fired for filing a complaint with the Department of Labor or testifying in an action relating to a violation of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act.

In an effort to encourage drivers to speak up about unsafe conditions and be afforded real protection under this law, Congress added into the law a provision for temporary reinstatement based on a preliminary finding that the employee was discharged in retaliation for reporting a safety violation that is protected under the Surface Transportation Assistance Act.

By providing protection to truck drivers, Congress intended to protect the general public from the dangers of trucking accidents.

New Jersey Regulations Promoting Safe Trucking

2008-11-05T13:57:00.000-08:00

The federal government has issued regulations promoting safe interstate travel for trucks. The trucking industry is responsible for maintaining their vehicles and preventing costly accidents. State governments also have an important role to play in promoting truck safety and in preventing trucking accidents.

It is important for truckers, trucking companies, and the general public to know and to understand the state requirements.

New Jersey implemented new truck routing rules in January of 2008. The rules apply to both intrastate and interstate trucks. The rules require trucks to use the National Network of roadways unless they are seeking, food, fuel, rest or repairs, or they are on their way to a terminal.

Many state governments, including New Jersey, created special licensing requirements for operators of commercial vehicles. New Jersey requires a Commercial Driver’s License for a driver of a tractor trailer, a driver of any truck or trailer with a gross combination vehicle weight rating over 26,001 pounds or a driver of a truck with hazardous materials.

New Jersey also has specific size and weight requirements for trucks, routing requirements and regulations that it expects truckers and trucking companies to comply with for the safety of the general public. The New Jersey State Police enforce the U.S. Department of Transportation regulations concerning transport of hazardous materials.

New Jersey also participates in voluntary programs such as The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program. The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program is a grant provided to states “to reduce commercial motor vehicle accidents, fatalities and injuries through consistent, uniform and effective safety programs for trucks and buses.”

More information about New Jersey laws, regulations and rules related to truck safety can be found on the New Jersey Department of Transportation website.

Reasons Why Large Trucks Crash

2008-10-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Like all vehicles, large trucks are involved in accidents for a variety of reasons. However, truck accidents are particularly dangerous and often cause greater injuries then other types of vehicles.

So, it is important to understand why accidents occur.

In 2007, Pennsylvania had 205 fatalities resulting from large truck accidents and 6,624 non fatal large truck accidents. Both of these numbers were up from 2006.

So, what causes large truck accidents? According to a the Large Truck Crash Causation Study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), drivers are 10 times more likely to be the cause of truck accidents than other factors such as weather, road conditions, and vehicle maintenance.

For purposes of the study, cause was defined as factors that increase the risk of having a crash.
The study focused on 967 crashes that occurred in 17 different states between April 2001 and December 2003. Each crash involved a large truck. Also, there was at least one injury or fatality associated with each crash.

The study concluded that driver error was responsible for 88 percent of the large truck accidents considered in the study. As a result of the study, the FMCSA decided to do further research into the factors that cause driver error.

Overall, the top 10 factors associated with crashes were brake problems, traffic flow interruption, prescription drug use, travelling too fast for road conditions, unfamiliarity with the roadway, roadway problems, the driver being required to stop before the crash (for example, to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk), over the counter drug use, inadequate surveillance and fatigue.

Clearly, some of these factors are within the driver’s control and some are not. For the safety of everyone on the nation’s roadways, steps should be taken to minimize all of the risk factors and to save lives.

Truth about Truck Accidents

2008-10-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

In the new millennium, a number of legal amendments were made in the realm of highway safety, especially with regard to truck accidents. These changes were made with the hope of bringing down the number of road accidents and fatalities involving heavy vehicles.

In 2004, new rules were set in place to deal with the growing problem of fatigued truck drivers. Studies have shown that truckers who are behind the wheel for more than 8 hours at a stretch double their chances of having an accident. What's even more disturbing is that many truck drivers drive when they are sleep-deprived.

Of the almost 5,000 people that die in heavy vehicle accidents every year, 84% are not truck drivers; they were the occupants of other vehicles. The amendments of 2004 were made in order to bring about positive changes on the roads. In 2005, these changes were further modified for truckers that had sleeper-berths in their vehicles.

The bad news is this act seems to have had an opposite effect in terms of truck accidents on the highway. Surveys conducted in two separate states showed that accident numbers rose from 13% to 19% in Pennsylvania and from 12% to 21% in Oregon. The sobering truth is truck driver fatigue continues to be a huge problem on the roads. Inspections aren't helpful since driver logbooks can easily be falsified and tampered with.

To effectively deal with truck accidents and improve highway safety, computerized monitoring is the right solution since it is difficult to tamper with.

Trucking Accidents: Who's Responsible?

2008-09-28T12:23:00.000-07:00

Fault is spread around in trucking accidents

So, who is the responsible party in a trucking accident? Some will say the individual is liable. However, there's a tremendous flaw in that statement. What is the flaw? The flaw can be found in the syntax of the statement. The word individual is singular. However, in tracking related accidents one individual may not be responsible.

So, who do you blame for the accident if not the person who caused the accident?

Some say that both parties to a truck or car accident can be responsible. This would be an accurate assessment in many instances. But, we can make the answer to that question a little more complicated by saying other than the two parties in the accident who could possibly be responsible for the collision? This may seem like a trick question. After all, how could someone who was not a party to the accident be responsible? Again, there is a logic flaw present in this question. That is, there is an assumption that unless a party is physically present at the scene of the accident then the party is not responsible. This is also not the case.

Let's say the truck driver who is not self employed works for a trucking transit company. This trucking transit company had not performed any vehicle inspections for several years. As a result, when the driver of the truck made an illegal lane change he could not stop the vehicle in time due to mechanical issues. So, there are two parties at fault here. The driver is at fault because he made a moving violation. Also, the trucking transit company is at fault because it knowingly placed a potentially defective truck on the road. This is what makes trucking accident lawsuits complex as there may be multiple parties to the accident. A solid Philadelphia lawyer understands this and can greatly help.

Insurance companies, settlements, truck accidents

2008-09-25T13:14:00.000-07:00

Settlements in truck accidents can be complicated

Some may assume that issues surrounding truck accident lawsuits will center on proving the liability of the person who caused the accident. This is true of most incidents. However, there is more to representing a person who was injured in a truck accident than collecting from the negligent party. There are also issues to contend with regarding insurance companies and their ability to pay.

Insurance companies will usually offer a settlement to the aggrieved party in the accident. However, the settlement offers have a tendency to benefit the insurance company more than the afflicted. As much as we do not like to think about it, many insurance companies look for any excuse to limit payment. What is so disheartening is many people will automatically accept the first settlement offer they are presented. People assume that if they do not accept the settlement they will probably end up with nothing. In other words, they fear the offer will be rescinded. This is a woefully inadequate assessment based on a lack of experience in the field. Once again, it is important to seek legal representation before accepting a poor settlement offer to avoid a number of problems.

An experienced Philadelphia lawyer can provide great help when dealing with insurance companies. If the settlement offer is a very weak offer the attorney can negotiate a higher settlement fee. If an agreed upon settlement cannot be arrived, an attorney can take the next step, which may involve going to trial. However, if the Philadelphia lawyer is a skilled the legal representative the client may come out with the amount that they truly deserve.

Philly Truck Accident Reunion with Victims and EMT

2008-09-22T22:45:00.000-07:00

How often is it that victims in a truck accident want to thank their EMTs?

In this case, the victims are two young sisters who were in a school bus returning from a camp trip when their school bus collided with a truck. One sister was badly injured, so much so that her right arm was severed; she’s had two surgeries and needs more; and she now wears a prosthetic.

It was the emergency medical technicians or EMT that actually saved her life.

The two sisters were curious about who saved their lives so their attorney Bernard Smalley, shareholder from the Philadelphia law firm of Anapol Schwartz, arranged the meeting. The gathering included about 40 emergency workers and police officers.

The bus, one of five on the trip, had about 60 children aboard, and dozens were injured. No one died but the older sister suffered the most serious injury. She was pinned under the bus as it flipped, and the force of the crash severed her right arm above the wrist. It took an hour to free her. She didn't bleed to death because the pressure from the vehicle kept her wound closed giving workers time to bring out inflatable air bags, which raised the bus and allowed the child to be extricated.

The girls and their mother are suing the bus company, the bus driver, the truck company, and the truck driver.

Philadelphia Truck Accident and Hazmat Scare

2008-09-21T14:41:00.000-07:00

A truck that crashed through a fence caused a hazmat scare when fuel began leaking into the Tacony Creek in the Juniata Park section of Philadelphia.

The incident happened around 6 a.m. when a box truck crashed through a fence and leaked approximately 30 gallons of fuel into the creek.

The truck driver did not suffer any injuries. The accident remains under investigation.

Regulations and trucking safety

2008-09-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

Highway laws and regulations are designed to keep people safe

Trucking safety can sometimes be a contentious issue. One of the reasons is that there is a misunderstanding about the positives and negatives of regulation. Regulation is, of course, the term that describes state and federal laws that promote a specific behavior among trucking companies. Probably the most obvious example of regulation is a commercial driver's license is needed to operate tractor trailers. This ensures the driver on the road is qualified to operate such an expansive vehicle and avoid a car accident.

However, there are those who are opposed to excessive regulations. It is true when industry is over regulated it can harm the business. This can lead to a number of negative economic domino effect problems within the industry. When regulation becomes abusive then it is not helping the public good. It is simply hindering industry and commerce. This is a valid and understandable criticism, but there are other issues to examine as well.

When certain regulatory laws are put in place to protect public safety these laws are saving lives. Usually one of the most common recourses for ensuring laws and regulations are followed is the threat of a lawsuit. Then again, the actual filing of a lawsuit and the public disclosure of a massive judgment against the driver for a trucking transit company that has violated the law will usually curb negative behavior. Again, this makes the highways safer for people who may have concerns about unsafe drivers and vehicles.

Actually, it also makes the roads safer for those who don’t support such laws and regulations. But, as long as the roads are safer and the trucking industry is complying with applicable laws then the roads remain much safer for everyone.

Preventive Maintenance and Trucking Accidents

2008-09-13T09:28:00.000-07:00

Lawsuits can dissuade future irresponsible behavior.

A successfully litigated lawsuit can provide a number of positive benefits. Many times, those who benefit from the lawsuit are not even a party to it. They may not even know the lawsuit took place and, for that matter, the lawsuit may have taken place many years ago. While this may seem like an odd assessment, the fact remains that trucking lawsuits bring with them a ripple effect. Often, this ripple effect leads too much safer conditions on the road. If you think this is an exaggeration then think again…

There are a number of reasons why trucking accidents occur. Two of the most common reasons are operational negligence and maintenance negligence. Operational negligence refers to the way in which the driver operates the vehicle. Many times, a driver will be in such a rush to reach a destination point that the driver will drive above the speed limit. In the most egregious example, there will be drivers who will take illegal stimulant so that they can drive longer hours. Such reckless behavior often leads to accidents.

The second most common reason for accidents, maintenance negligence, refers to the inability to properly ascertain the vehicle is safe to operate. That means that necessary repairs and upkeep on the truck is not performed. This, in turn, can lead to a car accident. From this, a Philadelphia lawyer will seek damages for the financial losses that result.

After these accidents occur, several lawsuits may follow. Now, after a driver for a trucking company is presented with massive punitive damages, more than likely such a driver will curtail negligent behavior. Also, other drivers and trucking companies will understand the severe consequences for negligent behavior. The end result of all of this is that drivers and trucking companies will seek to avoid negligent behavior. This ripple effect will make the roads safer for all involved. That, in and of itself, is a huge reward.

Truck Safety: Hell on Wheels

2008-09-07T22:03:00.000-07:00

Truck drivers or the companies they represent are hell on wheels because many trucks are unfit for service with serious violations but are on the highway speeding along, never the less. Violations include faulty tires, brakes, compressors and even safety equipment that can alert drivers to a sudden loss of brake pressure.

Another problem is the lack of trained truck inspectors at weigh stations to deal with the growing number of trucks on the road. There is neither the manpower or the money to train and fund the manpower. Plans to increase inspectors falls under the radar of budgeting.

That's really too bad because truck statistics have proven that the more inspections done the less accidents happen.

In Connecticutt, small towns and burgs are taking the matter into their own hands and stretching their duties to be trained in truck inspections. With the help of grant funding they are working together to participate in regional truck inspection and accident reconstruction programs.

Some violations were: A cement mixer from an area company with a slit in a tire so big the flaps revealed a several-inch deep gap. The mixer was also leaking air from its brakes. A flatbed trailer was on the road with a huge bolt stuck in a tire. A truck carrying 73,000 pounds of sand had a bad tie rod. Then there was a brand-new driver behind the wheel of truck with a faulty sensor designed to indicate if a loss in brake pressure occurred.The violations all occurred in August and were a fraction of faulty equipment encountered in one month alone. Plus a truck driver who was carting two unsecured 18-foot telephone poles that were put on a trailer that had no rear brakes.

Truck Safety: Radar Based Collision Avoidance

2008-09-02T21:56:00.000-07:00

New Freightliner truck models are equipped with standard safety equipment and sturdy parts, they also come outfitted with a new radar-based system that causes the truck to slow down when it exceeds a certain tailgating distance.

The collision avoidance system helps decrease the number of tailgating accidents by sensing objects up to 500 feet away through radar technology. The system sends a signal to the engine, transmission, and break system in order to slow down the vehicle. To notify the driver, the system also emits an alarm in the cab. Cruise control is required in order to work.

The collision avoidance system can also be mounted on a variety of existing vehicles.

Tractor Trailer Drivers Lose Control of Rigs

2008-08-30T20:12:00.000-07:00

Two tractor trailer drivers lose control of their trucks in one morning.

In the first truck accident, the driver of a tractor trailer lost control of his rig ran into a guardrail. The truck leaked fuel along its crash.

The second accident occurred about a few hours later when the driver of a tractor-trailer lost control on the on-ramp leading from Route 5 to Interstate 91 south. The driver was briefly trapped inside until he could be extricated by emergency personnel.

The tanker-style truck was carrying dry ash, not considered hazardous.

Two truck accidents caused non life threatening injuries.

Slow Down - Truck Driver Safety

2008-08-27T22:25:00.000-07:00

This is a thought provoking opinion about why truck drivers should reduce their speed and so should the rest of us.

The American Trucking Associations recommend a national speed limit of 65 mph for all vehicles and for putting governors on new truck engines at no more than 68 mph. Bringing the speed limit for trucks down to 65 would save 2.8 billion gallons of diesel fuel in 10 years. A truck traveling at 75 mph burns 27 percent more fuel than a truck going 65 mph. So the truckers see legitimate merits in new limits.

A lower speed limit for all is the right thing to do to conserve oil, to conserve money spend on gasoline, to save the environment, and to make a safer driving society.

Read the opinion in its entirety.

Mine Employee Dies in Fatal Truck Accident

2008-08-24T20:44:00.000-07:00

A new employee with only three days on the job died from a fatal truck accident.

The 38 year old man jumped from a coal truck when he was unable to downshift as he was driving down a hill.

While driving down an incline, he tried to get his truck to slow down but couldn't get the gear into neutral so he jumped out. The man died at the scene. The truck sustained damage to the front axle when he came to a stop.

Mine inspectors with the Mine Safety and Health Administration were on the scene investigating.

Who is at fault?

Truck Safety: Crying over Spilled Tomatoes

2008-08-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

You say tomatoes and the federal regulators says no squished tomatoes on the highway. What's a trucker to do? What's the tomato growers association to do? Do tomatoes fly?

The long running issue forbids haulers from shipping anything in a way that could allow some crops to fall off the truck. No spills allowed!

Squished tomatoes are a common sight on highway off-ramps in the Central Calif. Regulators are working on some rules that will keep the highway regulators and the truckers and farmers happy.

The problem with tomato hauling is that the tomatoes are poured into the huge bins into a peak that typically extends about a foot over the top of the bin. The peak levels out during transit, but pressure from tight turns or off-ramps can cause a few tomatoes to fly out of the bin.

A suggestion to tarp the tomatoes was rebuked as tarping dimishes tomato quality. Lowering the peak is an option but reduces the load and the money to be made. By lessening the load more trucks would have to make more trips creating more expense, greater opportunity for truck accidents, more traffic, and more smog.

Stay tuned...

Alleged DUI Causes Fatal Accident on I-95

2008-07-28T12:40:00.000-07:00

A 25-year-old New Jersey man is being held bail because of an alleged fatal drunk driving accident.

Witnesses say that the man was driving 80 mph in a 55 mph zone and driving erratically on top of speeding.

He allegedly struck a pickup truck whose driver was ejected and sent flying into oncoming traffic where he was killed. A passenger in the pickup truck was also ejected and seriously injured.

The accident happened on I-95 by the Betsy Ross Bridge exit.

The lawyer for the defendant claims that the man was not under any influence and the accident was not his fault and that he has a clean driving record.

A spokesperson for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission said the man had some previous driving violations.

Source: Philly News

Is Truck Safety an Oxymororn?

2008-07-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Almost 10 years ago a catastrophic bus accident killed 22 elderly women.

Even though an agency was formed to oversee truck safety and bus safety, not much as happened since then. Commercial vehicle drivers still hold commercial vehicle drivers licenses even when they face drug problems and other serious illnesses.

The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration was created after the deadly crash but has not done much to make any improvements. Seriously ill and drug dependent truck drivers and bus drivers are still on the road.

Some of the reforms would set standards to determine whether or not a driver was medically fit and alert to drive a bus or truck. The driver of that deadly crash was suffering from serious heart disease, diabetes, fatigue and traces of recreational drugs in his body.

A doctor who performed an exam noted his heart condition which should have disqualified him automatically from work as a commercial driver but didn't. The driver was being treated for dialysis and heart treatments while working commercially.

Standards must be enforced so the lives of innocent victims are not at risk.

Truck Safety: Trucking Companies Fined

2008-07-21T12:41:00.000-07:00

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is cracking down on truck drivers and truck driving companies that are not properly regulated and hire mentally challenged and inadequate drivers.

One of the prime culprits is the moving industry.

Fraud runs amuck as well as disregard for safety regulations and rogue operations without rules.

The implicated moving companies are located in 13 different states and D.C. and face hundreds of dollars in fines.

During 2007, over 4,000 consumer complaints were submitted which prompted the crack down investigation.

Fatal Truck Accidents

2008-07-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a round up of fatal truck accidents that happened recently:

TEXAS--Four 18-year-olds were riding in a truck around 5:30 a.m. when the driver hit a bar ditch and rolled the truck two times.

The driver suffered bruises and cuts. Two other passengers are in stable condition with broken bones.

One person died because she was not wearing a seatbelt.

All were students.

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SAN JOSE--What a 54-year-old woman was doing walking on Highway 101 is something we may never know. The woman, an Irish citizen, was struck and killed by an 18-wheeler early around 1 a.m.

She was crossing the southbound lanes on foot toward the west shoulder near the Broadway Avenue overpass when she stopped in the No. 3 lane and was hit by the truck. Another car was also involved in the accident. Neither the truck driver or car driver was hurt.

The truck was traveling at a minimum of 55 miles per hour.

The woman did not have a car in the area.

Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident? Do you have the need for a truck accident personal injury or wrongful death lawyer?

Please contact Anapol Schwartz law firm with offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Find out what your legal options are. You are invited to take the no-obligation, no-cost-to-you consultation. How can we help you?

Truck Safety: Does Truck Size Matter?

2008-07-11T17:07:00.000-07:00

The Bush Administration wants to slack on truck size and weight restrictions but according to the Teamsters, bigger trucks are more dangerous to operate.

Bigger trucks take longer to stop.
Bigger trucls are are not fuel efficient.
Bigger trucks are too long to make tight turns.
Bigger trucks take longer to get up to highway speed and merge into lanes.

Our highways are already overburdened. According to the American Association of State Highways it takes 9,600 cars to cause the same road damage caused by a fully loaded 80,000-pound truck.

Deadly Cement Truck Accident

2008-07-08T21:47:00.000-07:00

The 29-year-old driver of a cement truck died when the truck he was driving crashed through a guard rail on route 8 in Pennsylvania.

The accident happened in mid afternoon. The truck was full of cement when it crashed into the guard rail. As to why this happened, the cause is unknown as to whether it was some kind of mechanical failure or human error.

Small amounts of fuel and oil leaked into a creek where the cement truck landed and was promptly cleaned up.

Has a family member died in a fatal truck accident? Do you need a Pennsylvania truck accident law firm by your side? Contact Anapol Schwartz today for your no-cost legal consultation.

Trucking Industry Shows Truck Safety Improvement

2008-07-05T21:33:00.000-07:00

According to the American Trucking Associations, the trucking industry showed improvement in truck safety, including a significant increase in the number of drivers who passed roadside safety inspections and were in compliance with driver work and rest rules.

It appears that education and enforcement is having a positive impact on truck safety.

This year's figures show that the trucking industry continues to make progress in educating drivers about truck safety measures because 95 percent of drivers inspected passed the safety inspection which was an improvement over 2007.

The American Trucking Associations is committed to educating drivers about safety rules and regulations.

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry.

Truck Driver Training Safety Grants Awarded

2008-07-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's (FMCSA) Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training initiative awarded a grant to the Ozarks Technical Community College for 100 students to learn how to drive a truck safely.

This grant helps students who can not afford to take the necessary classes and get the needed truck safety knowledge.

With the truck safety grant, students will be able to learn new truck driving skills, find better paying jobs, and contribute to the local and economy and community.

The Ozark Technical Community College was one of nine colleges to receive grants.

The FMCSA awarded a total of $1 million in grants to nine technical and community colleges to enhance classroom safety curriculums and behind-the-wheel training courses for students enrolled in commercial driver’s license (CDL) training programs.

To view the list of what colleges were awarded grants, click here.

Truck Safety: Drive Fast or Lose Your Job

2008-06-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

Truck Safety: Truck Driver Threatened to Put the Pedal to the Metal

The trucking industry is one based on time and money. Are truck drivers pushed beyond their limits? Are their schedules unreasonable? Who is to blame when a truck driver is at fault for a fatal truck accident?

A Florida truck driver who was awake for 34 hours fell asleep at the wheel killing seven children when his 2004 Freightliner semi rolled over a car, which was behind a stopped school bus on a Florida interstate.

Both vehicles crashed into the bus, and the car burst into flames.

His employer had text messaged him more than once to proverbially put the pedal to the metal and step on it. The driver felt pressured to keep the pace because he didn't want to lose the route that kept him near his family.

The truck driver pled guilty to seven counts of manslaughter and was sentenced to seven years in prison.

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMSCA), records shows the Nebraska-based trucking company has 459 trucks that have been involved in crashes, a dozen of the truck crashes have been fatal in the last two years.

Possible legal options are pending against the trucking company.

Drunk Truck Driver Kills 4; Gets 43 Years in Jail

2008-06-27T22:26:00.000-07:00

A 24-year-old construction worker who had a blood alcohol level beyond the legal limit was sentenced to 43 years for driving drunk and killing a mother and her four children.

The driver drove his truck the wrong way on a highway. The father plus two more children survived the crash.

In imposing the sentence, the judge pointed to the man's drinking problem and how this fatality could have been prevented had the man not driven intoxicated. Mothers Against Drunk Driving approved of the sentence. He received seven years for each vehicular homicide count and four years for each assault count.

The man was drinking heavily, so heavily that the restaurant workers called police. By the time they arrived, the man drove four miles in the wrong direction missing several cars.

The driver had a blood-alcohol level of 0.25, more than three times Ohio's legal limit of 0.08. Marijuana was also in his system.

The community was saddened by the loss of the mother and her grade school age children.

Philadelphia Truck Accidents

2008-06-26T00:43:00.000-07:00

(ABC) A tractor trailer accident along I-95 in Philadelphia caused some traffic problems. The truck carrying steel flipped spilling some cargo and fuel on the highway. I-95 was closed in both directions. What a mess!

Truck Accidents and Truck Safety

2008-06-20T20:43:00.000-07:00

How can truck drivers prevent job injuries?

In 2006, a survey was conducted asking truckers about their jobs. These answers generated direction as to the types of injuries that truck drivers incur and most importantly how to prevent them from happening.

A variety of truckers from large and small companies and industries were surveyed.
According to their findings drivers who spent more than 25 percent of their time working with cargo, or unloading and loading the truck, were twice as likely to experience pain. Other concerns were working overly long hours and a breakneck pace in order to get the job done.
Lastly truckers who loved their jobs and being on the open road had fewer injuries than those truckers for whom truck driving was a job.

The bottom line is that employers have to provide a safe working environment. Reporting injuries in a timely manner prevents further complications. Both employer and employee need to work together in preventing truck injuries and working conditions that further truck accidents.

Philadelphia: Beer Truck Accident Wrecks Havoc for Morning Commute

2008-06-18T03:59:00.000-07:00

The driver of a tractor trailer was hurt as he flipped over on an exit ramp on I-95 during Philadelphia’s busy 7 a.m. prime time morning commute.

The tractor trailer was carrying beer. The cab rolled over and the truck came to a stop on top of a guard rail.

Traffic was tied up well into late morning. No beer spilled. The condition of the driver is unknown.

Source: ABC

Truck Driver Safety - Protecting You On The Road

2008-06-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

Truck driver safety and truck accidents rules and regulations are generally enforced by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules and regulations are designed to prevent truck related accidents. In US every year there are on an average more than 500,000 truck accidents. This is a huge number. The tragic fact is that majority of these accidents result in severe injuries.

Reducing Truck Accidents
Following rules and regulations related to truck traffic can greatly reduce the number of truck accidents that we have every year. Let me explain further. For Truck driver safety, federal laws require that a truck driver cannot drive more than the given number of hours. This law protects truck drivers from being overworked. It also protects the public from tired truck drivers.

This regulation also helps reduce truck accidents. It has often been noted that many of the truck accidents are caused because the truck drivers drive more than the required hours. Overworking causes drivers to be sleepy and stressed out while driving. So, by limiting the number of hours, a truck driver can drive in a day, these laws are protecting both the driver and other traffic on the road.

Another good example of a truck driver safety law is the mandatory requirement of trucking license. Truck drivers are given their license only after they have gained necessary driving expertise and have undergone expert training. These laws are designed to ensure that only the qualified truck drivers are on the road. In comparison to an untrained truck driver, a trained truck driver is less likely to be the cause of a truck accident.

Truck Accidents Gone Wild

2008-06-15T16:42:00.000-07:00

Truck Crash: Two Tractor Trailer Rigs
Texas—A fiery crash of two tractor-trailer rigs happened in the wee hours of the a.m. One tractor trailer truck ran into the back of another truck, causing both trucks to catch fire. The driver who slammed into the second truck died while trapped inside the cab. The driver was not identifiable due to the extent of the fire. A passenger riding in the same truck is listed in critical condition.

The driver of the other truck, the one that got slammed and his passenger are both in stable condition with head and leg injuries. The cause of the accident is unknown at this time.

Truck Accident: County Worker Crushed on the Job
Oregon—A 51 year old male employee with 16 years experience died on the job when he was caught between a truck and a trailer in a dump truck area. The cause of the fatal accident is not known.

Truck Tragedy: City Truck Kills Dog
New York—A street sweeping truck that was allegedly barreling down the street at high speed sucked up a small dog as her horrified owner was still holding the leash.

The man and his friends chased the truck for two blocks before it stopped. The terrier’s small body was pulled from the truck. The city calls it a rare and unfortunate incident. Understandably, the pet owner was devastated.

If you have been involved in a truck accident or a loved one has died, please contact Anapol Schwartz law firm in Pennsylvania or New Jersey. You may be eligible for a truck accident lawsuit.

Killer Truck Accidents

2008-06-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

Penna: One person killed in two consecutive truck accidents on I-80

A double crash killed one victim on I-80 near mile marker 108 in the early a.m. on June 12.

There were two accidents at the same location. The first crash occurred when a man traveling west on I-80 in the right lane crashed into another man also traveling west in the right lane.

The driver of a 2008 Volvo tractor trailer lost control and hit the driver of a 2001 Freightliner tractor trailer. Upon impact, the driver of the Volvo had to be extricated from his truck with the Jaws of Life and was transported to an Altoona trauma center by helicopter. At this time, his condition is not known.

The driver of the 2001 Freightliner was fortunately not injured.

This accident caused a secondary crash, which resulted in the death of the driver of a 2005 Freightliner who was stopped in the right lane for the first crash when the driver of a second truck tried to get around the 2005 Freightliner, but instead struck it. The Freightliner came to rest in the left lane.

Police said both drivers were wearing seatbelts.

In another truck accident in Ohio, a speeding delivery truck kills two people

On June 11 in mid afternoon, a speeding delivery truck went through a red light killing two men riding in a SUV. The crash occurred in Dayton, Ohio, on U.S. 35.

According to eye witnesses, the delivery truck ran a red light then crashed into a van pushing it forward five car lengths causing the van to ram into the SUV. The men in the SUV were most likely killed upon impact.

According to witnesses, the truck never even tried to brake. The driver of the truck was not injured and charges are pending.

Do you need a truck accident lawyer?

Tire Blows Creating Serious Vehicle Accident in Pennsylvania

2008-06-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

On June 7, three Bensalem, Pennsylvania residents suffered serious injuries when the car they were driving blew a tire and the driver lost control. The car collided into a concrete center barrier, then ricocheted into a tractor trailer and then bounced back into the concrete barrier ejecting the rear passenger from the car.

The accident occurred on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Upper Southampton.

All three passengers were taken to various hospitals while the driver of the tractor trailer truck was not injured.

The condition of the three injured men is not known.

Have you or a loved been in a vehicle accident caused by bad tires, bad brakes, bad airbags or a track trailer that couldn’t stop. You may be eligible a lawsuit. Contact Anapol Schwartz to find out what your legal options are.

Source: http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/111-06092008-1546220.html

Truck Accidents In US - Tuck Accident - Truck Accident Lawyer

2008-06-09T07:24:00.001-07:00

Truck accidents in US have increased over the years mainly due to an increase in the number of trucks on the roads. Victims of truck accidents can always seek compensation and should consider hiring a lawyer with experience handling truck accident cases.

Truck Accidents In US - Victims Seek Compensation
A vehicle accident in US results in a death nearly every 16 minutes. According to truck accident statistics there are more than 500,000 truck accidents in US every year. The saddest part is that truck accidents often result in serious injuries to those involved. In fact, 10% of truck accident cases result in death.

Trucks in the US are used for transporting all sorts of cargo all over the US. They are used for delivering goods, emergency supplies, fuel, and many other products. They are used by government agencies and private companies alike. Over the years, the numbers of trucks on US roads have increased steadily. So have truck accidents in US.

Causes
Truck accidents could be due to the negligence of the driver. They can also be due to some mechanical or technical problems with the truck. A truck accident can be due to overloading or improper loading as well. It could be due to the other party’s fault too. It could be due to poor servicing or the poor road design or bad road condition.

Whatever be the cause of the truck accident, the victims of truck accidents can always seek counsel from an attorney experience in these types of cases. To file a claim, you would consult a truck accident lawyer who has experience with all the legal formalities relating to truck accidents including accident reconstruction, preservation of evidence, retention of experts and filing of the complaint.

Truck Accident Statistics - Truck Accident - Truck Accident Statistics In US

2008-06-09T07:21:00.000-07:00

Truck accidents usually result in very serious injuries, it is very important to understand the causes of truck accidents. Understanding the causes can help us make better laws.

Truck Accident Statistics - Something To Think About
Looking at truck accident statistics in US one can be quite surprised by the shear number of truck accidents that occur every year. According to statistics, in US there are roughly around 500,000 truck accidents every year. Looking at the fact that a big truck can weigh more than 80,000 pounds and can be 75 feet in length, one can understand why most truck accident result in serious injuries.

Some Alarming Statistics
The seriousness of truck accident statistics is revealed by the fact that truck accidents alone lead to 5,000 deaths every year. 12% of traffic fatalities in the US are due to truck accidents. Here is another alarming statistic. In traffic accidents in which a truck and a passenger vehicle are involved, 98% of the time, the driver of the passenger vehicle is killed.

If you look at statistics from individual states, California had the highest number of fatal traffic accidents (5725) in the year 2003. Out of these 5725 fatal traffic accidents, there were 332 fatal truck accidents. Statistics also show that truck accidents occur more in rural areas (68%) than in urban areas (32%). 78% of the fatal truck accidents occur during the weekends.

Looking at these truck accident statistics, one might conclude that truck drivers are most likely to be the fault party in truck accidents. However, this is not true. 75% of the truck accidents are caused due to negligent driving by the driver of the small vehicle. These statistics provide important clues as to why truck accidents occur, and who is to be blamed. These clues can help the requisite authority to make rules, and regulations which can bring down these truck accident numbers.

Truck Accidents – Victims Of Truck Accident- Truck Accident Lawyer

2008-05-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

Truck drivers are one of the most common causes of truck accidents. Reckless driving, speeding, drinking and driving, overload, mechanical and technical failures, and carrying hazardous materials have been found to be the most frequent causes of truck accidents.

Common Causes Of Truck Accidents - Who Is At Fault

There are number of common causes of truck accident. More than 500,000 truck accidents take place every year in US alone. Understanding the causes of these truck accidents can help the government formulate laws to bring down the truck accident numbers. If you are a victims of truck accident, it always helps to understand what caused the accident.

Truck Drivers

One of the most common causes of truck accidents is the truck driver himself/herself. Maybe the driver was driving without having the necessary qualifications. Or maybe he was over speeding or maybe he had been driving non-stop for very long hours. All such situations are illegal. Not securing the cargo properly could also be the cause of accident and again here also the driver is at fault.

Others

Very often passenger vehicle drivers are also to be blamed. Driving in the blind spot of trucks or in truck zones can often result in a truck accident. Many drivers take over a truck from the wrong side and this often unfortunately results in truck accidents. Drinking and driving is also a very common cause for truck accidents. Leaving a stalled car in the middle of a traffic lane is again a very frequent cause of truck accidents in the US.

Very often trucks carry hazardous materials that have often led to truck accidents. Mechanical and technical failures are also common causes of truck accident. In this case, the truck driver or company is to be blamed. Victims of truck accidents need to hire a truck accident lawyer as soon as possible so that the proper cause of the investigation can be figured out. If you are going to be seeking compensation in a truck accident, it is better to file the case as soon as possible.

Truck Accident Lawyer - Truck Accident - Truck Accident Case

2008-05-16T09:00:00.001-07:00

Truck accident lawyer is one who specializes in truck related accidents. If you are involved in a truck accident you would need an experienced and qualified truck accident attorney to handle your case.

Truck Accident Lawyer - Selecting The Right Lawyer

Many people often ask, ‘Do I need a truck accident lawyer, if I need to file for compensation.’ The answer is, ‘Yes’. You cannot simply make do with any lawyer. You need a lawyer who specializes in truck related lawsuits. A truck accident attorney will be able to handle your case properly because he/she will have detailed understanding of truck rules and regulations and truck accident rules and regulations.

Experience And Qualified

You should not only seek a truck accident lawyer to handle your lawsuit, but you should also seek a lawyer who has the requisite experience. Just imagine what would happen if you choose a truck accident attorney who is unqualified or inexperienced. Your case, in all likelihood, will not be handled properly. And you have only one chance to get your case right. However, when you get an experienced lawyer, he/she will file your case in time, will handle it properly, will not allow your case to linger on for years, will take care of your medical care requirements and will try to get your life back on track as soon as possible.

Moreover, with an experienced truck accident lawyer you will have a better chance of winning the case. You need an experienced lawyer to handle your truck accident case, because it is very important that the facts are presented well. Furthermore, the jury has to be convinced about your side of the story. This can only be done by an experienced truck accident attorney. In a truck accident where you are not at fault, you are entitled to compensation. But, how and how much you are compensated for your physical injuries, pain and suffering will largely depend on your truck accident lawyer. So it is very important that you take care to select the right lawyer to represent you.

Truck Accident Attorney - Truck Accident - Truck Accident Lawyer

2008-05-13T06:27:00.000-07:00

A truck accident attorney can explain to you all the legal complexities concerning your truck accident case and can help build a strong case for you. He/She will be able to get you the compensation that you deserve.

Truck Accident Attorney - Helping To Build A Strong Case For You

If you are involved in a truck accident, a truck accident attorney can help you understand the legal parameters concerning truck related accidents. In the first instance, you would need to know if you can file a claim. An attorney can help you figure out how strong your case is. If you are not at fault, then you obviously have a pretty good chance of getting compensation.

Compensation

In a truck accident, the victim is entitled to compensation. You will be compensated for your injuries or property damage. If there was a loss of income for a certain period of time due to the truck accident that you were involved in, you will be duly compensated for the loss of income. If your future earnings have been affected due to the truck accident, you will be compensated for that as well. Your spouse is also entitled to compensation in the event that your injury is so serious that it interferes with the relations your have with your spouse. It is the job of a truck accident lawyer to get you duly compensated for all that you are entitled to.

However, legal parameters surrounding truck accidents are very complex. You would first need to figure out who was actually at fault (obviously I am assuming that you were not at fault). Was it the truck driver, the truck company, or the state? The driver would be held libel if the accident was caused due to his/her negligence. If the accident was caused because there was some fault in the road design, then obviously the state would be held libel for compensation. A truck accident attorney can rightly determine who was at fault and thereby help build a strong case for you.

Philadelphia Man Dies in Industrial Truck Accident

2008-04-30T10:22:00.000-07:00

A 36-year-old Philadelphia man who was killed by a heavy air-conditioning coil that rolled onto the cab of a truck that he was driving.

The man died instantly when the coil rolled onto the cab of a truck he was unloading at Dominion Electric. The man had several coils on a flatbed truck and had unstrapped the load, but then started moving his truck into position when one rolled onto the cab, crushing it. The incident is being ruled as an industrial accident.

You have to wonder if he had any training or why he would undo the load prior to being stationary.

PA: Tractor Trailer Kills Five in Van

2008-04-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Five people were killed when a tractor-trailer slammed into a van carrying group home residents who were on an outing.

The van had stopped at an intersection and then pulled right in front of the tractor-trailer on a rural highway.

It appears to be a freak accident. The van was carrying 11 people, five who were killed, two who were staff members. Six group home residents were taken to area hospitals. The tractor-trailer driver was treated at a hospital and released.

The van was knocked onto its side and pushed roof-first into a cinder-block storage building, causing the vehicle's roof to cave in.

Two passengers returned to the group home by late afternoon. The others were expected to survive and had injuries that included a broken clavicle, a broken hip, and head, neck and spinal injuries.

See: http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/pa/20080425_5_killed_in_van-truck_crash.html

Tractor trailer truck plows into another truck, one dead

2008-04-25T07:06:00.000-07:00

A 46-year-old was killed on Interstate 75 when a tractor-trailer driver plowed into the back of a repair truck and threw the man from an aerial lift bucket. A repair crew in two trucks was stopped in the right northbound lane of the interstate under the exit sign for State Road 64 to change the light bulbs.

The truck parked in the rear had a flashing lighted arrow board and safety cones to direct approaching drivers around the two trucks.

The fatality was in the aerial lift bucket attached to the first truck fixing the overhead sign light when the driver of the tractor-trailer failed to notice the flashing warning arrow and safety cones. The tractor rig smashed into the back of the truck with the warning arrow, pushing it into the first truck.

The man was thrown about 130 feet out of the bucket onto the roadway pavement. One of the other two repair workers had minor injuries.

The truck driver was charged with careless driving.

Broadsided by flatbed truck, two die in PA

2008-04-23T08:25:00.000-07:00

A husband and wife were killed in a crash on Route 61 in Northumberland County, PA when they were broadsided by a flatbed truck at a dangerous intersection.

When the light changed, the driver of a green Saturn waited three seconds before an SUV blew through a red light on Route 61 near Shamokin.

The driver of the flatbed truck was hurt and flown to the hospital. The couple came through a turning lane, trying to go through the intersection of Route 61. However, it was the driver going south on Route 61 who had the green light.

There seems to be at least one accident a year at this intersection. The trucks smashed into each other. Drivers go too fast on this stretch of the road where the posted limit is 40 miles per hour.Police are still investigating the deadly crash. Eight people died in crashes in nine central Pennsylvania counties last month and now two more in early April.

http://www.wnep.com/global/story.asp?s=8115282

Yamaha Rhino

2008-04-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

As the warmth of the summer grows and families seek outdoor recreation, so do the risks associated with outdoor fun increase. It is important that families be well informed to stay safe during recreational activities.

The Yamaha Rhino Utility Terrain Vehicle, often promoted to be safer than traditional ATV’s and Quads, has been involved in a number of recent accidents. Most injuries involved broken or crushed lower limbs. More tragic is the deaths of young persons ejected or crushed by the Rhino.

Lawsuits have been filed against Yamaha stating that the design of the Rhino is unstable and dangerous. In response, Yamaha has sent letters to owners of the Rhino warning them that sharp turns may cause roll-overs and announcing forthcoming design modifications to the Rhino.

Truck accidents and trucking safety

2008-04-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Big rig trucks are an increasingly common part of our economy, as they are needed to transport innumerable commercial goods across the nation. You can see it every time you drive on any of the nation’s highways. Trucks dominate the roads today, which can make sharing the roads with these vehicles an intimidating venture. While the number of big rig trucks is increasing, it is unacceptable that the number of accidents due to trucking is also increasing.

Every 16 minutes a person is killed or injured in a truck accident. When a smaller passenger vehicle collides with a big rig, basic physics can determine which vehicle will be at the disadvantage. In accidents involving tractor trailers, 98% of fatalities occur to the individuals in the passenger vehicles. Some of the common catastrophic injuries sustained when truck safety is compromised include neck injury, paralysis, back injuries, traumatic brain injury.

Accidents involving semi-truck, 18-wheeler, and big rig trucks present many unique origins including driver fatigue, intoxication, driver error, equipment failure, driver fatigue, unsafe vehicle operation, unstable loads or defective equipment or failure to maintain current inspection standards.

Don’t be pressured by trucking company and insurance company representatives acting solely in the interest of their constituents. An experienced attorney can protect the rights and interest of victims and their families.

A Famous Personal Injury Case

2008-04-11T06:13:00.001-07:00

Many accident lawsuits are often do not make national headlines but the recent lawsuit against Terry Bollea and his wife Linda has been receiving a great deal of media attention. This is because Terry Bollea is better known by his stage name of Hulk Hogan and is one of the most recognizable entertainment figures of the past 25 years. He also encouraged his son to drive recklessly and did not take appropriate measures when his son was involved in a number of instances of speeding. Eventually, his son caused an accident that led to a passenger suffering permanent serious injuries and this has led to a huge lawsuit. The moral of this story is painfully obvious: no one is above the law when it comes to negligence and personal injury litigation.

Pennsylvania Lawyers and Truck Accidents

2008-04-07T13:06:00.000-07:00

Pennsylvania is a state that contains a number of well trafficked highways. Of course, highways are a major factor in facilitating interstate commerce and that means that there will be a number of tractor trailers on the road. While most drivers are quite responsible there are those drivers who are negligent and cause accidents. If you are involved in such an accident it is best to seek the counsel of a successful Pennsylvania lawyer who is familiar with litigating these cases. Often, tractor trailer accidents are more complicated than one would assume and that is why the services of a top of the like attorney must be procured.

Hurting Your Own Truck Accident Case

2008-04-04T11:06:00.000-07:00

"We can handle it ourselves. There is no reason to involve any attorneys." These may be the words of a truck company's claims adjusters after you have been involved in a truck accident. If it ultimately up to you whether or not you want to take such advice but it is probably a far wiser option to seek the advice of an attorney and not try and navigate any negotiations with the claims adjuster on your own. The reason for this is that you may end up seriously damaging a potential future case if you fumble through the claims adjustment proceedings. Some things are best left to the experts and claims negotiations is a realm for experts.

Truck Accidents and Falling Asleep at the Wheel

2008-04-01T03:52:00.000-07:00

Believe it or not, one of the most common reasons for truck accidents is drivers falling asleep at the wheel. This is because drivers put long hours on the road and travel with very little sleep. Yes, it is understandable that a person will want to put food on their table but they can not do this at the risk of injury of other people. As such, it is critical for truck drivers to not take outrageous risks by placing other drivers on the road in danger. If a truck driver does do this then there will be severe punitive consequences and rightly so.

When Cocktails Become Lethal

2008-03-31T11:47:00.001-07:00

Drinking and driving don't mix. What Is Liquor Liability in Pennsylvania?

Learn what can make one who serves alcohol liable for injuries that result from the consumption of too much alcohol. Who can be held liable for injuries to social guests?
The parents with their family are coming home from dinner at grandmas when BAM – out of nowhere barrels down a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the road. In a split second there’s a loud impact, screams and crying, and calamity everywhere. They’ve just been in a vehicle accident – most likely with a drunk driver that unfortunately can alter their life – and that of their family, forever.

In the days and months after a drunk driving crash, victims have a lot on their minds, including the immediate trauma and severe injuries caused by the accident, issues of lost wages and time off from work. During this time it is hard to think about anything else. It may months before victims and survivors have the time and energy to step back and think about the other consequences of the accident -- the financial strain and radical changes in the lives of those involved, when a severe injury or sudden death in the family has been caused by a drunk driver.

The drunk driver is at fault for the sheer sake of being drunk. But injured parties do have other alternatives above and beyond suing the drunk driver. A good Pennsylvania lawyer will consider suing the third party that is responsible for making the drunk driver intoxicated.

It is important to know that a restaurant, bar or club, catering company, hosting facility, or private host can be held liable if the drunk driver was too drunk to drive?

Here are some scenarios which hold third parties responsible for drunk driving:

Was the drunk driver served by licensed and insured vendors?
Was the vendor compliant with state and local licensing and insurance regulations?
Vendors who follow the letter of the law are aware of the risks and implications involved. The contract between the host or organizer and the vendor should ensure that the vendor and its contractors or employers are trained in safe alcohol service and recognize when people have overindulged. The vendor should play an active roll in preventing over-intoxication.
Were attendees reminded to drink responsibly and exercise good judgment?
Were they notified about a taxi service or other transportation if they should become intoxicated?
Did the vendor/caterer purchase a liquor liability insurance policy by obtaining an additional rider from their insurance company then add an indemnification clause?
Was the prevention of intoxication placed first and foremost?
Were there fewer bartenders hired so people would have taken longer to get drinks?
Was the event limited to certain hours for less overall drinking?
Were drinks made by vendor personnel instead of an open self-serve free-for-all bar?
Were the drinks priced right instead of too cheap to encourage more drinking?
Was there a great deal of free and available food? Was alcohol served responsibly and never to anyone under 21?
Did people have to come to the bar vs. tray passing?
Did the bar close well before the end of the party?

Under Pennsylvania Law, these are just some of the considerations that a knowledgeable law firm will examine in third party liquor liability lawsuits.

Why are there so many devastating accidents involving large trucks?

2008-03-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

According to Jim Ronca, Esquire in a conversation we had recently about truck accidents, Mr. Ronca explained: "Based on my experience, both in handling truck collision cases and in driving on the highways, is that many truck drivers are poorly trained and violate the most basic rules of safe truck driving. Tractor-trailers and other large trucks are massive vehicles and, therefore, carry a much greater destructive force than even large motor vehicles like SUV’s. In Pennsylvania, trucks can carry up to 80,000 lbs. total for the freight and weight of the truck itself. "

A 2007 Ford Explorer has a curb weight of about 6,000 lbs. Thus, in a collision, traveling at about the same speed, a fully loaded tractor-trailer would have 13x the destructive force. To put it another way, a tractor-trailer going 10mph has as much momentum as a Ford Explorer going 130mph.

Any client, by casual observation while driving, can see common rules violations by truck drivers. One of the biggest examples is following distance. There are very clear rules of thumb for truck drivers to follow in insuring they have enough distance between them and the vehicle in front and, therefore, have enough distance to stop. Generally, a truck driver is supposed to remain one second behind the car in front for each ten feet of length of his truck and an extra second if going over 40mph or driving in inclement weather.

Thus, a truck that is 60’ long going 50mph should be seven seconds behind a car in front, or roughly 525 feet. All of us have observed trucks traveling within one truck length, sometimes even within one car length of vehicles in front while at high speeds. If for any reason that automobile, mini van or SUV would deviate from its course, the truck has no possibility of stopping.

Another example is driving at night. At night, a vehicle is supposed to be to stop within its range of its headlights. The normal range of low-beam headlights is approximately 250’. At 50mph, the stopping distance of a tractor-trailer well exceeds 300’. Therefore, at night, a tractor-trailer going 50mph can never stop within the range of its headlights. There are many other examples.

Truck driver error

2008-03-18T13:27:00.000-07:00

This issue primarily relates to the training and experience of a driver. A well-trained driver with several hundred hours of highway experience, and who is required to attend regular safety meetings and whose company had periodic driver testing, represents a safe, professional driver on the highway.

Unfortunately, in many cases, drivers who are experienced are poorly trained, and because of the huge increase in truck traffic, many drivers are both poorly trained an inexperienced. Successful completion of a short course at a truck driving school, followed by passing the commercial driver’s license test is only the very minimal requirement for an individual to be able to handle such a large vehicle on the road.

Inexperienced drivers needs to have a co-driver for a period of time and then have constant refreshers so they know how to react when they are in heavy traffic, inclement weather or approaching unusual situations. Many drivers have misperceptions about what they should do under certain circumstances.

According to Jim Ronca, Esq. "I have taken the testimony of many truck drivers who did not know the stopping distance of their vehicles, the range of their headlights, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations regarding inclement weather, loading, hazardous materials or hours of service requirements. I have listened to the testimony of many drivers who had no understanding of how powerful their trucks were, the destructive force that they carried with them, the amount of following distance they should allow and the dangers of fatigue. All of these should be well known and second in nature to any driver handling such a huge dangerous vehicle."

The role of speed in truck accidents

2008-03-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Speed limits are set through engineering studies and apply to automobiles. Large trucks need to adapt themselves to the settings. Meaning, under most circumstances, they should be traveling less than the speed limit.

On a wide-open limited access highway in light traffic, there is nothing wrong with tractor-trailers driving at 65mph. However, in any kind of moderate or heavy traffic, truck drivers are threatening life and limb unless they are traveling at much lower speeds. Using the standard rule of thumb for distance, at 65mph, a 50’ tractor-trailer should leave 450’, or approximately 9 truck lengths, between himself and the vehicle in front. On heavily traveled highways, this is almost never the case.

Thus, the truck driver’s only option is to reduce speed and, therefore reduce that distance requirement. Even at the minimum speed on a limited access highway (40mph), a truck should allow 300’ between the truck and the car in front. This is an entire football field. While this is more manageable, again, it is rarely seen in practice.

Anybody who has driven on a highway has seen trucks traveling 70 and even sometimes in excess of 80mph. This should never happen. Some companies place governors on their trucks to prevent the truck from exceeding 60mph. However, most do not. This causes a tremendous hazard to the motoring public.

Construction site collisions - Truck Accidents

2008-03-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

Construction sites present a tremendous challenge for truck drivers. Most truck drivers are on a schedule and are expected to make deliveries within a certain time range. Unanticipated construction delays often cause drivers to become impatient or allow their attention to drift.

Also, the standards for alerting the driving public to a “construction site ahead” are generally designed for automobiles and not for large trucks. Drivers of large trucks are supposed to be professionals who allow extra distance and time. Unfortunately, applying the minimum standards to these warnings often does not fit the circumstances.

Many times traffic will back up beyond the earliest warning of construction ahead and the traffic is stopped when a large truck comes around a curve or over the crest of a hill, and finding traffic stopped is unable to stop his vehicle in time, causing devastating collisions. Even low-speed collisions under these circumstances can be devastating.

Jim Ronca, Esq., of Anapol Schwartz said, "In my practice, I have seen a circumstance where a truck traveling approximately 10mph with the driver distracted completely crushed a Toyota Camry, killing the driver. "

Weather

2008-03-18T13:19:00.000-07:00

Adverse weather conditions reduce visibility and increase reaction time and stopping distance, especially for large trucks.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations explanatory comments recommend that drivers reduce their speed by a third on wet roads, by one-half on snowy roads and reduce it to a “crawl” on icy roads.

If conditions become too slick, a driver is supposed to pull the vehicle to the side and wait until conditions improve. Nevertheless, we often see trucks on the highway under wet conditions traveling over 60mph or are blasting down snow-covered roads at similar speeds.

Driver falling asleep as Cause of Truck Accident

2008-03-18T13:17:00.000-07:00

Fatigue has been proven in many studies to be a very substantial factor in causing trucking accidents. Many over the road interstate truck drivers do not have a regular schedule and, therefore, cannot have normal sleep patterns.

This often causes drivers to “zone out” or have periods of “micro sleep”, where they are not fully asleep but they are also not fully aware of the circumstances around them. These conditions cause tremendously delayed reaction time resulting in collisions at night. Coupled with the fact that night vision distorts distances between objects and naturally makes objects difficult to see contributes greatly to collisions.

There are very specific rules in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations governing the amount of time an individual is allowed to drive. These are enforced through the use of “logbooks”, where the drivers manually record their driving time and rest time.

Unfortunately, among many carriers and drivers, these rules are not enforced adequately and drivers often cheat so they can spend more hours on the road and, therefore, earn more money.

Loading of Trucks

2008-03-18T13:16:00.000-07:00

Unless a driver receives a sealed load, the driver is responsible to assure the loading is correct. Unbalanced or shifting loads often can lead to a collision or a turnover of the truck trailer.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations contained an entire lengthy section of proper understanding of loading requirement when a driver looses his load on the highway with other vehicles traveling at high speeds.

Failure to inspect

2008-03-18T13:13:00.000-07:00

The most common problem here is failure of the truck driver to do a pre-trip and post-trip inspection. The most common issue is brake adjustments. Before a driver starts any trip or before a driver resumes driving after a long break, he must inspect his vehicle extensively, including checking the brakes.

Many times after a collision it is determined that the brakes are not properly adjusted, reducing the braking power and, therefore, creating a longer stopping distance. Often drivers are either too lazy to do the inspection, or because of timing problems, do it very quickly and do not take the time to do a clear and adequate inspection.

Many motor carrier companies fail to reinforce with drivers the necessity of an adequate inspection.