Schuylkill County, PA – Truck Driver Hit After Leaving Truck on I-81

SCHUYLKILL COUNTY, PA (March 12, 2025) – A truck driver who had gotten out of his vehicle on Interstate 81 was hit by another vehicle in Schuylkill County on Monday.

According to the Pennsylvania State Police, the man was driving a 1994 Freightliner south when he was rear-ended near the Mahanoy Township exit of I-81 around 6 a.m. on March 10.

The truck driver had gotten out of his vehicle and was standing in the middle of the southbound lanes when he was hit by another vehicle.

Both the truck driver and the driver of the vehicle that hit him were taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Police are investigating the accident.

Staying Safe At An Accident Scene in Schuylkill County

Many secondary accidents occur when drivers exit their vehicles on busy roadways, particularly in Schuylkill County, where limited shoulders on mountain roads create dangerous scenarios. The combination of potentially intoxicated drivers, poor visibility around curves, and high-speed traffic makes standing outside your vehicle extremely dangerous. Always move to a safe location off the roadway if possible, and if you must exit your vehicle, be vigilant about oncoming traffic and try to remain behind guardrails or other protective barriers.

After leaving your vehicle following an accident in Schuylkill County or similar areas, your actions can significantly impact your safety and the strength of any potential personal injury claim.

First, move as far away from traffic as possible, especially on the highway. This might mean climbing up an embankment or moving behind guardrails. The roadside dynamics in this region can be particularly dangerous due to limited visibility around curves and the potential for trucks to lose control of steep grades.

Once in a safe location, immediately call 911. Pennsylvania law requires reporting accidents involving injuries or significant property damage. The responding officer’s report becomes crucial documentation for insurance claims and potential litigation. Schuylkill County’s rural nature may mean longer emergency response times, so providing precise location details is essential.

Document the scene thoroughly while waiting for help. Take photographs of vehicle positions, road conditions, weather, and visible injuries. These visual records often prove invaluable when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting evidence in court. Pennsylvania’s contributory negligence laws make this documentation particularly important for establishing fault percentages.

Exchange information with other involved parties, but be extremely cautious about what you say. Even seemingly innocent statements like “I didn’t see you” could later be interpreted as admissions of fault. Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule means your compensation could be reduced based on your perceived responsibility.

Identify witnesses and collect their contact information. Independent accounts can substantially strengthen your case, especially in complex truck accident scenarios where establishing the sequence of events is critical.

Seek immediate medical attention, even if injuries seem minor. Some conditions, particularly soft tissue injuries and concussions, may not manifest symptoms immediately. Delayed medical care can undermine injury claims, as insurance companies often argue that injuries occurring after the accident were unrelated.

Evidence preservation becomes even more critical when dealing with a commercial truck accident. Trucking companies often dispatch investigators to accident scenes quickly, and electronic logging devices in trucks contain valuable data about driver hours and vehicle operation that could prove crucial to your case.

Remember that Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims, so consulting with a truck accident attorney familiar with Schuylkill County’s specific legal landscape is advisable as soon as your immediate medical needs are addressed. Reach out to Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.

Note: Our team of writers uses secondary sources to produce this post, including local and state media and news sources, regional and state police incident reports, social media platforms, and eyewitness accounts about serious accidents in Pennsylvania. For that reason, if you find any information that is not correct, be sure to contact Munley Law as soon as possible so that we can update the post with the most exact information available. A post will be removed upon request. All information in this post is informational and not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.

Disclaimer: All information in this post is informational and is not intended to be considered legal or medical advice. This post is not a solicitation for business.