Every year, hundreds of tractor-trailer accidents occur on Allentown’s busy highways and roads. These massive commercial vehicles—often weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded—create unique dangers and complex legal challenges when involved in crashes.
At Munley Law, our Allentown truck accident lawyers have spent decades investigating these accidents and helping victims understand their rights. If you were involved in a tractor-trailer accident in Allentown, PA, you need to know your next steps and why these cases are more complex than a typical auto accident case. If you were involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer in Allentown, do not wait. Contact Munley Law today for a free consultation.
What is a Tractor-Trailer?
Tractor-trailers, often called 18-wheelers or semi-trucks, consist of two separate units: the “tractor” (the front power unit with the engine and cab where the driver sits) and the “trailer” (the detachable cargo-carrying unit). This articulated design distinguishes tractor-trailers from straight trucks, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles.
The standard configuration includes:
- A three-axle tractor unit with 10 wheels
- A two-axle trailer with 8 wheels
- Hence the term “18-wheeler”
Most tractor-trailers on Pennsylvania highways feature 53-foot trailers, though specialized configurations exist for different cargo types. The tractor and trailer connect via a “fifth wheel” coupling system, creating a pivot point that allows the vehicle to articulate when turning.
What Makes Tractor-Trailer Accidents Different from Other Crashes
Tractor-trailer accidents differ significantly from standard passenger vehicle crashes in several important ways:
- Size and Weight Disparity: An 18-wheeler can weigh 20-30 times more than a passenger car, creating devastating force during impact. This extreme weight difference often results in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for occupants of smaller vehicles, even in relatively low-speed collisions.
- Complex Mechanical Systems: Tractor-trailers contain specialized components—including air brake systems, fifth wheels, kingpins, and articulation points—that can malfunction in ways passenger vehicles cannot. These unique mechanical elements require specialized investigation after crashes.
- Multiple Liable Parties: Unlike other auto accidents, tractor-trailer crashes often involve numerous potentially responsible parties beyond just the driver. These may include the trucking company, the trailer owner, cargo loading companies, maintenance contractors, manufacturers, and leasing companies.
- Extensive Regulatory Framework: Interstate tractor-trailers operate under federal regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), creating additional compliance issues that can affect liability.
Tractor-trailer accident cases can be challenging for most attorneys. That’s why hiring an experienced tractor-trailer accident lawyer is always best after a trucking accident. Contact Munley Law today to start your claim.
Speak with an Allentown tractor-trailer lawyer near me.
Federal Trucking Regulations in Allentown Tractor-Trailer Crashes
Federal regulations govern nearly every aspect of tractor-trailer operations, creating a complex framework that carriers and drivers must navigate. The FMCSA strictly limits driving time to prevent fatigue through hours of service regulations. These rules establish an 11-hour driving limit after 10 consecutive hours off duty, a 14-hour on-duty limit after coming on duty following 10 hours off, required 30-minute breaks after 8 cumulative hours of driving, and a 60/70-hour limit on duty in 7/8 consecutive days.
Since December 2017, most commercial trucks must use electronic logging devices instead of paper logs to track driving hours. These ELDs create verifiable records that can be vital evidence after accidents, making it harder for drivers or companies to falsify driving hours.
Tractor-trailer operators must meet stringent qualification requirements, including holding a valid Commercial Driver’s License with proper endorsements, passing medical examinations every two years, undergoing pre-employment and random drug/alcohol testing, and completing specific training for specialized cargo like hazardous materials.
Commercial carriers also face strict vehicle maintenance standards. They must conduct systematic inspection, repair, and maintenance, complete pre-trip and post-trip inspections, maintain detailed maintenance records, and remove unsafe vehicles from service. Federal regulations also specify exactly how different types of cargo must be secured to prevent shifting or falling.
Violations of these regulations often provide critical evidence in establishing liability after a tractor-trailer crash. When companies or drivers cut corners on these requirements, they create foreseeable risks that can lead to catastrophic accidents.
High-Risk Locations for Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Allentown
Certain areas in and around Allentown see higher concentrations of tractor-trailer accidents. The I-78/Route 22 interchange experiences frequent tractor-trailer accidents due to merging traffic, construction zones, and congestion during peak hours. This area’s complex traffic patterns and limited sight lines create particular challenges for large commercial vehicles.
The Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension presents different dangers. Its mountainous terrain, tight curves, and frequently adverse weather conditions make this stretch challenging for heavily loaded trucks. Brake failures on downhill sections have resulted in several serious accidents in recent years.
Route 309 near Tilghman Street combines heavy commercial traffic with multiple access points to retail areas, creating conflict points between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles. The stop-and-go traffic pattern in this corridor increases the risk of rear-end collisions involving commercial vehicles.
The American Parkway Bridge has been the scene of several serious tractor-trailer accidents, including a fatal 2023 collision involving a young motorist. The bridge’s design and approaches create visibility challenges for large vehicles, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
The Airport Road industrial corridor, with its high concentration of warehouses and distribution centers, leads to frequent truck traffic on roads not always designed for heavy commercial vehicles. This area’s mix of commercial and passenger traffic creates numerous conflict points, especially during shift changes at the various facilities.
Understanding Insurance Coverage in Allentown Tractor-Trailer Cases
Insurance for commercial tractor-trailers differs significantly from personal auto insurance, creating additional complexities for accident victims. Federal regulations require interstate commercial carriers to maintain substantial minimum liability coverage—$750,000 for general freight, $1,000,000 for oil transportation, and $5,000,000 for hazardous materials. However, these minimums often prove inadequate for catastrophic injury cases.
A single tractor-trailer may be covered by several policies, including primary liability coverage, excess or umbrella policies, bobtail insurance (when operating without a trailer), non-trucking-use coverage, cargo insurance, and physical damage coverage. Identifying all applicable policies requires detailed investigation and knowledge of the industry’s insurance practices.
The federally mandated MCS-90 endorsement ensures minimum compensation for accident victims even when the specific activity causing the accident might otherwise be excluded from coverage. This endorsement can provide crucial protection when insurance companies attempt to deny coverage based on policy exclusions.
Victims often face significant challenges with insurance companies after tractor-trailer accidents. Multiple adjusters from different companies may contact you. Early settlement offers typically fall far below actual case value, requests for recorded statements can damage your claim, and insurance representatives often attempt to shift blame to other parties. Understanding this complex insurance landscape is essential for securing fair compensation.
Resources for Tractor-Trailer Accident Victims in Allentown
Recovering from a tractor-trailer accident often requires specialized care and support. Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest’s Level I Trauma Center and St. Luke’s University Hospital-Bethlehem Trauma Center provide advanced care for serious injuries. For ongoing support, organizations like the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, the Spinal Cord Injury Association of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation offer resources for those with catastrophic injuries.
Government resources can also provide helpful information. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration all offer educational materials about commercial vehicle safety and accident prevention.
When to Contact Our Allentown Tractor-Trailer Accident Attorney
If you’ve been involved in a tractor-trailer accident, consulting with an experienced attorney can help you understand your specific rights and options. For personalized guidance about your situation, contact our Allentown tractor-trailer accident attorneys for a free, no-obligation consultation. We can help you understand the specific circumstances of your case and the potential paths to recovery.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on May 22, 2025.
