While commercial trucks have their place on the roadways in Pennsylvania and across the country, it is crucial that drivers of these vehicles take every precaution to remain safe drivers. Unfortunately, some people may think they are driving safely when, in fact, they are putting themselves and others on the road in danger of a serious accident.
When a truck accident takes place, it is not unusual for serious or even fatal injuries to result. You may understandably feel uncomfortable driving around these big rigs because the chances of an accident are high. In some cases, particular actions on the part of the truck driver, trucking company or even drivers of passenger vehicles could increase the chances of a serious crash.
What could cause a truck accident?
Sadly, as with most vehicle accidents, the list of possible truck accident causes is extensive. When it comes to some of the more common causes, the following examples typically show up:
- Truck drivers not having proper safety training or defensive driving training
- Trucking companies encouraging drivers to make deliveries faster or spend more time driving than is safe or legal
- Trucking companies keeping drivers on unrealistic schedules that pose serious safety risks
- Drivers of passenger vehicles cutting off commercial trucks
- Passenger vehicle drivers traveling in blind spots
- Improper merging by either truck or passenger vehicle drivers
- Passing in an unsafe manner
- Driving while fatigued or distracted
While truck drivers have a responsibility to drive safely, so do drivers in other vehicles. If you remain conscious of whether a truck driver can see your vehicle, whether you have provided enough room before changing lanes or merging, and other safety measures you can control, you may limit the likelihood that you will contribute to an accident with a big rig.
What if a crash occurs?
Unfortunately, even if you do your best to drive safely, a truck driver could cause a crash involving your vehicle that leaves you or a loved one seriously injured. These injuries may be difficult to recover from, and you may find yourself facing unexpected financial difficulties as a result. If so, you may want to remember that you could have reason to file a personal injury claim against the driver considered at fault as well as the trucking company for which the truck driver works.