The consequences can be devastating when a massive commercial truck collides with a smaller passenger vehicle. A truck accident can have swift and long-lasting effects on your life.
Understanding the causes of truck accidents in Easton is important for both prevention and seeking justice. If you’ve been the victim of a truck crash and plan to make a truck accident claim.
At Munley Law, our team of experienced Easton truck accident attorneys has seen firsthand the devastating effects of truck accidents. We are dedicated to helping Easton and Pennsylvania victims seek the compensation they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please call or message us for a free case evaluation.
What Causes Truck Accidents to Occur in Easton, PA?
Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Easton include:
- Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often face tight deadlines, leading them to drive long hours without adequate rest. Fatigue can impair judgment and reaction times, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Distracted Driving: Like other motorists, truck drivers can become distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, or other distractions, taking their attention away from the road.
- Speeding: Speeding is a common factor in many truck accidents. Trucks’ sheer size and weight make them more difficult to control at high speeds.
- Improper Loading: Improperly loaded or overloaded trucks can become unstable, increasing the risk of rollovers or jackknife.
- Mechanical Failures: Trucks require regular maintenance to ensure they operate safely. Mechanical failures, such as brake or tire blowouts, can lead to accidents.
By understanding these common causes of truck crashes, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones on the road. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident in Easton, you might be entitled to financial compensation. Our team of truck accident lawyers at Munley Law is here to help.
Contact us for a free consultation today, and let us fight for the compensation you deserve.
The Large Truck Crash Causation Study
According to the latest data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study, 963 crashes in the study’s sample were analyzed. Of these, 73 percent of the truck crashes involved a large commercial truck colliding with at least one other, often passenger vehicles.
Critical Events
Three major types of critical events were assigned to large trucks:
- Running out of the travel lane, either into another lane or off the road (32 percent of the large trucks in the LTCCS sample were assigned this critical event)
- Vehicle loss of control due to traveling too fast for conditions, cargo shift, vehicle systems failure, poor road conditions, or other reasons (29 percent)
- Colliding with the rear end of another vehicle in the truck’s travel lane (22 percent).
Associated Factors
Hundreds of associated factors were collected for each truck crash in the FMCSA study. The top ten truck accident causes, in descending order, were:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption (congestion, previous crash)
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Unfamiliarity with roadway
- Roadway problems
- Required to stop before the crash (traffic control device, crosswalk)
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Inadequate surveillance
- Fatigued driving
If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck accident, it is important to speak with an experienced truck accident attorney immediately. Truck accidents involve catastrophic injuries, and with multiple parties involved, it’s impossible to navigate the truck accident claims process alone. What you need is a truck accident attorney who understands how complex these cases can be and will not rest until you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries.
What are the Most Common Injuries Sustained During a Large Truck Crash in Easton?
In large truck crashes, injuries can range from minor to severe and can even be fatal. Some of the most common injuries sustained in these accidents include:
- Whiplash and Neck Injuries: The impact of a truck collision can cause the neck to jerk suddenly, leading to whiplash. This can result in neck pain, stiffness, and headaches.
- Back Injuries: The force of a truck crash can cause various types of back injuries, such as sprains, strains, herniated discs, and spinal cord injuries. These injuries can cause significant pain and may result in long-term disability.
- Head Injuries: Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can occur when a person’s head strikes an object during a truck crash. These injuries can range from mild to severe and have long-lasting effects on cognitive function and motor skills.
- Broken Bones: Fractures and broken bones are common in truck accidents, particularly in the arms, legs, ribs, and pelvis. These injuries can be painful and may require surgery to repair.
- Internal Injuries: The force of a truck collision can cause internal injuries, such as organ damage, internal bleeding, and bruising. These injuries may not be immediately apparent and can be life-threatening if not treated promptly.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass, metal, and other debris in a truck crash can cause cuts and lacerations. While these injuries are typically minor, they can become infected if not properly treated.
What Should I Do Immediately Following My Truck Accident?
- Contact the authorities: Call the police and seek medical attention right away.
- Seek medical attention: If you have been in a crash involving a large commercial truck, seek medical attention right away, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. Many serious injuries, especially head, neck, and back trauma, become worse over hours or even days.
- Collect insurance information: Obtain the truck driver’s insurance, trucking company information, and anything else the driver can provide.
- Take photos/collect evidence if safe to do so and possible: If you are physically able and safe, take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any road signs/signals or construction zones.
- Obtain crash report: A few days after a vehicle collision, you should first obtain the police crash report. This will tell you who is responsible for the accident and what occurred. You should also request a property damage estimate from your insurance provider.
- Keep records: Record all medical appointments, treatments, and any symptoms or pain you encounter. Obtain duplicates of all test results, medications, treatments, and pertinent medical data. Keep a thorough record of any out-of-pocket costs you pay for. You will also want to keep track of any days missed at work or other activities/events.
- Don’t negotiate with the insurance company: Never accept a settlement from an insurance company before first speaking with a truck collision attorney.
- Contact a truck accident lawyer at Munley Law right away. You could be entitled to collect financial compensation for your medical bills and more. Munley Law will provide a free case evaluation, and together, we will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Easton Truck Accident Case?
If you’ve been injured in a collision involving a large truck or tractor-trailer, you need a truck accident attorney who understands the laws and responsibilities of large commercial trucks. Handling truck accident cases requires a specialized skill set and an understanding of federal transportation regulations, commercial vehicle technology, and industry practices. Many firms claim to handle truck accidents, but few possess the expertise and experience needed to navigate these complex, fiercely contested cases.
At Munley Law, our truck accident injury attorneys have a proven track record of securing multimillion-dollar client settlements. We’ve earned national recognition for our work in truck litigation, and our Easton truck accident lawyers help victims and their families recover maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, long-term therapy, pain and suffering, and more.
Truck accidents demand swift legal action and expert guidance. Munley Law is a leading truck accident injury firm in the U.S., representing clients nationwide who have suffered serious injuries in commercial truck or tractor-trailer crashes. With decades of experience in state and federal trucking laws, our attorneys are uniquely qualified to handle these complex cases. We’re often called upon to speak nationally and internationally on trucking laws, underscoring our reputation as experts in the field.
If you have been involved in an accident involving a truck driver’s negligence or potential mechanical failure of a commercial truck, contact the semi-truck accident attorneys at Munley Law today for your free initial consultation.
