Pickup truck accidents involve many of the same hazards involved in SUV accidents. Pickups often have a high center of gravity, which can be exacerbated by overloading. Radical maneuvers in a truck can result in a rollover accident. Truck accidents that involve rollover are also more likely to cause occupant ejection. Individuals who are ejected during a truck accident have a significantly lower survival rate. Another concern with truck accidents is roof crush. The cab of a truck protrudes above the hood and the top of the bed, and the roof may bear the brunt of a rollover. Truck accidents involving roof crush often result in head and neck injuries. If you know someone who was severely injured in a pickup, contact our truck accident lawyers today.

Trucking Accidents

Large trucks, also called semis, tractor-trailers or big rigs, are involved in a disproportionate number of auto accidents compared with other motor vehicles. Tragically, a much larger percentage of large truck accidents result in fatalities. The occupants of large trucks, however, are less frequently injured or killed in these crashes than other vehicle occupants.

One of the most frequent causes of trucking accidents is a truck rollover. Large trucks are much more likely to roll over than other vehicles. Big rigs have a high center of gravity, particularly when carrying a payload. Partially filled tankers and uneven loads that shift during turns can cause a truck rollover accident, even at slow speeds. Trucking accident lawyers can often determine if negligent trailer loading caused a truck rollover.

Another frequent cause of large truck rollover is tripping. Tripping can occur when the wheels of a large truck strike something (e.g. a curb) while turning. Large trucks can also be "tripped" by the slope when turning while descending a decline. When a large truck puts a tire off of the pavement, it can cause the tire to rut into the ground, resulting in tripping and subsequent truck rollover.

Of course, a truck accident can occur simply from making a sharp turn or maneuver, especially if it is pulling two or three trailers. The g forces required for large truck rollovers are much less than for an automobile. Trucking accidents can also be caused by truckers suffering "highway hypnosis" or from fatigue brought on by stretching federally mandated limits on consecutive hours behind the wheel. A trucking accident attorney can help Pennsylvania residents seek compensation from liable trucking companies.

Trucking companies may dispatch lawyers to the scene of an accident immediately after learning of it. These attorneys are determined to protect the trucking companies from lawsuits, so they may attempt to have evidence destroyed, cover up any inconsistencies in driver's log, etc. Your best bet is to hire a trucking accident lawyer of your own. Eisenberg, Rothweiler, Winkler, Eisenberg, and Jeck. P.C. can provide an attorney to investigate your accident and pursue litigation.

Trucking Accident Statistics

Every year an average of 500,000 large trucking accidents occur in the United States, resulting in more than 5,000 fatalities and over 140,000 injuries. Although the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enacted stricter trucking guidelines and regulations, truck drivers continue to ignore them and push the limits in order to meet deadlines.

Some of the many factors that contribute to trucking accidents include:

       Driver fatigue – more than 29 percent of long-haul truck drivers admit to falling asleep at the wheel

       Unsafe vehicle operation – more than five percent of trucking accidents are caused by driver impairment

       Large, unstable loads or defective equipment

       Failure to maintain current inspection standards

Trucking Accidents and the Law

If you are involved in a trucking accident, there are a number of steps you should take to ensure that your legal rights and interests are fully protected. These steps include:

       Contacting the police and file a detailed accident report

       Gathering complete information from the other party

       Taking pictures of the scene

       Not signing anything or admitting fault

Please contact us today to speak with one of our qualified personal injury attorneys who can evaluate your case and help you determine a possible course of action.