While virtually any type of collision may have the potential to place your safety at risk, certain crashes may prove inherently more dangerous than others. Accidents involving commercial vehicles may run a much greater risk of carrying dire repercussions that could forever alter the fabric of your life.
As you might share Pennsylvania roads with numerous commercial vehicles each day, finding ways to reduce the risks of the unthinkable might prove imperative. Knowing some of the most prevalent causes of truck accidents may help you understand what hazards to watch for, but things might not always be so simple.
Safety hazards
Even the thought of being in an accident with a tractor-trailer can be a harrowing concept, and similar incidents continue to occur at an alarming rate. Some of the most prevalent causes of truck accidents may include the following:
- Excessive speeding: Tractor-trailers are inherently more difficult to maneuver, and truck drivers who travel at excessive speeds might struggle to handle a variety of scenarios. They could place your safety at risk in the process.
- Truck driver fatigue: Demanding schedules and long stints on the road are two examples of why truck driver fatigue remains an issue, and even a momentary bout with fatigue can be hazardous.
- Improper load balance: Imbalanced or unsecured loads can also pose a threat to your safety, as this might make it more difficult to control a tractor-trailer or objects might fall off the truck and into the road.
- Truck malfunction: Tractor-trailers require frequent maintenance and failure to perform such measures may only increase the risks a truck might break down in the middle of the road and create a dangerous situation.
Truck drivers who navigate along unfamiliar roads may be prone to missing turns and exits, and those who attempt dangerous maneuvers in response could place your safety at significant risk.
Aftermath of a truck crash
It is no secret that truck accidents can carry cataclysmic repercussions, and such an incident could place your life in jeopardy. The fallout of your crash could leave you with severe or even permanent injuries that may impact numerous aspects of your life and increase your risks of developing future health complications. The financial ramifications of extensive medical care and a long road to recovery may also prove burdensome in nature and may leave you with questions about your options and the next steps to take to safeguard your interests.