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Philadelphia Trucking Accident Lawyers

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 74,000 individuals were injured and 3,380 were killed in collisions involving large trucks in 2009. A large truck is considered to be a vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating over 10,000 pounds. During 2009, about 296,000 large trucks in the United States were involved in crashes. Sadly, the number of commercial truck collisions is rising each year, with the causes of these devastating accidents ranging significantly. If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, you will need an aggressive and knowledgeable legal team to determine the cause of the accident so that the negligent/guilty parties can be held accountable for your losses.

The most frequently occurring causes of trucking crashes in Pennsylvania and across the country are:

• Driver fatigue;
• Driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol;
• Distracted driving (including texting while driving, talking on a cell phone, watching videos, changing the radio, etc.);
• Equipment failure - tires, brakes, or steering wheel;
• Inadequate, rushed, or lack of maintenance, inspection, or repair;
• Overloaded truck, ill balanced load, or unsecure load;
• Hazardous chemical spill;
• Negligent driving in rain, sleet, high winds, or snow, or on dangerous road conditions;
• Unsafe driving including aggressive driving, violating federal and/or state laws;
• Truck rollover or jackknifing; and,
• Driver isn’t qualified or lacks experience.

Top Ten Truck Accident Factors

In July of 2007, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compiled a "Large Truck Crash Causation Study." Based on the results of the study, it was found that for each of the 120,000 trucking crashes that took place while the study was being held, the main 10 points that contributed to truck collisions included the following:

• Brake problems;
• Traffic flow disturbance (traffic jams or prior accidents);
• Use of alcohol and/or prescription medication;
• Driving at speeds too fast for the road or highway;
• Unfamiliarity with roadway;
• Roadway problems;
• Failing to come to a stop either at an intersection with traffic control device or crosswalk;
• Over-the-counter drug use;
• Inadequate surveillance; and
• Driver fatigue.

If you or a loved one is injured in a Pennsylvania trucking accident, you will need a vigilant legal team to immediately begin investigating the accident so that the cause can be determined and the responsible parties held accountable for their negligent behavior. Evidence must be preserved before the trucking company compromises it. Remember, the trucking company and its insurers have a vested interest in settling your claim for as little as possible. The Philadelphia big rig accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily will fight for you so that all your losses are recovered and you can begin moving on with your life. Contact our lawyers today by calling (800) 421-9595. We always offer free, no obligation consultations.

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(800) 421-9595
(215) 246-9000