Truck accidents in Pennsylvania often result in severe, life-altering injuries because of the enormous size and weight of commercial vehicles. When a truck collides with a passenger vehicle, victims may suffer catastrophic injuries and incur substantial financial losses.
You may be entitled to compensation if the negligence of another party caused your injuries. However, proving fault in a truck accident can be challenging, as these cases often involve multiple parties, federal regulations, and aggressive insurance companies.
At Pribanic & Pribanic, our experienced truck accident attorneys understand the impact of injuries to victims and their families. We can investigate the crash scenes, secure supporting evidence, and build strong claims against the negligent parties.
Truck Accidents in PA: Key Takeaways
- Common causes of truck accidents include distracted driving, fatigue, speeding, impaired driving, improper loading, mechanical failures, inadequate training, and hazardous road conditions.
- Multiple parties may be liable, including the truck driver, trucking company, cargo loaders, maintenance providers, or manufacturers.
- A truck accident lawyer can determine fault using evidence such as police reports, black box data, videos, logbooks, and reconstruction.
- A truck accident lawyer can support during the investigation, handle insurers, and pursue full compensation.
- Call a truck accident attorney for legal support after the crash.
| Truck Accident Factor | How It Causes Crashes | Who May Be Liable |
| Distracted Driving | Phone use, GPS adjustments, eating, or multitasking reduce reaction time and lane control | Truck driver, trucking company |
| Driver Fatigue | Long hours and HOS violations lead to slow reactions or falling asleep at the wheel | Truck driver, trucking company |
| Speeding & Aggressive Driving | Increased stopping distance and loss of vehicle control at high speeds | Truck driver |
| Impaired Driving | Alcohol, drugs, or stimulants impair judgment and coordination | Truck driver, employer (if supervision failures exist) |
| Improper Loading / Cargo Shifts | Unsecured or uneven cargo causes jackknifes, rollovers, or loss of control | Cargo loading company, shipper, trucking company |
| Mechanical Failures | Brake failures, tire blowouts, or steering defects cause sudden loss of control | Trucking company, maintenance provider, manufacturer |
| Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers | Misjudging blind spots, braking distance, or emergency maneuvers | Trucking company |
| Hazardous Road or Weather Conditions | Ice, rain, fog, potholes, or construction zones increase crash risk | Driver, trucking company, road maintenance entities |
Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Establishing the cause of a truck accident forms the foundation of your compensation claim for your injury-related losses. Here are the common causes of truck accidents:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of truck accidents in Pennsylvania. Truck drivers spend long hours on the road, increasing the temptation to use mobile devices, adjust GPS systems, eat, or multitask while driving.
Even a momentary distraction can cause a driver to miss traffic signals, drift from their lane, or fail to react to sudden road changes. Because commercial trucks require a longer stopping distance, distractions increase the likelihood of rear-end collisions, sideswipes, and catastrophic roadway incidents.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is a major contributor to trucking crashes, especially on Pennsylvania’s long highways and overnight shipping routes. Despite federal hours-of-service regulations, many drivers exceed safe limits due to tight deadlines or pressure from their employers.
Fatigue slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and can even lead to drowsy driving or micro-sleep episodes. When a tired truck driver loses focus or falls asleep behind the wheel, the massive force of a moving truck can cause devastating collisions with smaller vehicles.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Speeding remains a leading cause of truck accidents. Large commercial trucks require significantly more time and distance to stop than passenger vehicles, making high-speed driving especially dangerous.
When truck drivers exceed posted limits, tailgate, or make aggressive lane changes, they lose the ability to maintain safe control of their vehicle. These behaviors can quickly escalate into serious crashes, particularly in congested areas such as Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Pennsylvania’s heavily traveled interstates.
Impaired Driving
Impaired driving, whether due to alcohol, illegal substances, or even prescription medication, increases the risk of truck crashes. Impairment slows reflexes, decreases coordination, and impairs judgment.
Some truck drivers may also use stimulants to remain awake, which can cause erratic behavior, poor decision-making, and delayed reactions. When impaired truck drivers operate 80,000-pound vehicles, the results are nearly always catastrophic.
Improper Loading or Cargo Shifts
Improperly loaded cargo is a frequent cause of truck accidents in Pennsylvania. When cargo is not secured correctly, it can shift during transport, causing the truck to sway, jackknife, or overturn.
Uneven weight distribution can also affect braking and steering control, especially on curves, hills, and high-speed roadways.
Cargo-related accidents can occur with flatbeds, tankers, box trucks, and other commercial vehicles, and liability may extend beyond the driver to the loading crew, shipping company, or cargo handlers.
Mechanical Failures and Poor Maintenance
Mechanical failures such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, and steering system failures increase the risk of track crashes. Commercial trucks require ongoing maintenance due to their heavy loads and long travel distances.
When companies cut corners on inspections or repairs, the risk of mechanical breakdown increases. Faulty components or neglected maintenance can lead to loss of control, rollovers, or multi-vehicle collisions on Pennsylvania highways.
In such cases, trucking companies, maintenance contractors, or parts manufacturers may be held responsible.
Inexperienced or Improperly Trained Drivers
Pennsylvania roads demand skilled and well-trained truck drivers, especially given the region’s steep grades, narrow rural roads, and unpredictable weather conditions. There is an increased risk of collisions when trucking companies hire inexperienced drivers or fail to provide adequate training.
Inexperienced drivers may misjudge stopping distances, struggle with large blind spots, or mishandle emergencies. These errors can escalate into serious accidents, particularly when transporting hazardous materials or operating in high-traffic corridors.
Hazardous Road or Weather Conditions
Pennsylvania’s varied terrain and weather conditions contribute to a high number of truck accidents. Winter storms, icy roads, heavy rain, fog, and high winds can make driving large trucks extremely difficult.
Trucks are more susceptible to hydroplaning, skidding, and jackknifing in adverse weather conditions.
Hazardous road conditions such as potholes, sharp curves, and construction zones also increase the likelihood of accidents. Even when weather or road hazards play a role, truck drivers and carriers may still share liability if they failed to adjust driving behavior or follow required safety protocols.
Who Is Liable in an Accident?
Determining liability in a truck accident is often more complex than in standard car accidents due to the number of parties involved in commercial trucking operations. Multiple entities may share responsibility.
You should, therefore, work with a legal professional to determine the liable party for your injuries. Some of the parties who may be liable for your injuries include:
The Truck Driver
The truck driver is frequently the first party examined for liability. Drivers bear responsibility if their negligence causes the accident. A driver’s liability may arise due to violations such as:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Violating hours-of-service regulations that mandate rest periods
Fatigued driving is particularly common in the trucking industry, as drivers face pressure to meet tight delivery schedules. If driver error or recklessness contributed to the crash, the driver may be held personally liable for the damages.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies often share liability for accidents involving their drivers. Companies can be held responsible through direct negligence, such as inadequate driver training, failure to conduct proper background checks, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.
Under the legal doctrine of "respondeat superior," employers may also be vicariously liable for their employees' actions performed within the scope of employment. Additionally, companies that fail to maintain their fleet or ignore federal safety standards may face liability claims.
Cargo Loading Companies
Improperly loaded or secured cargo is a leading cause of truck accidents. If cargo shifts during transport, it can cause the truck to tip over, jackknife, or become difficult to control. Third-party loading companies responsible for securing freight may be liable if improper loading techniques contributed to the accident.
Their liability may arise due to violations of weight distribution requirements or failure to properly secure hazardous materials.
Maintenance and Repair Companies
Trucks require regular maintenance for safe operation. If a maintenance company performs substandard repairs or fails to identify mechanical issues during inspections, it may share liability for accidents resulting from equipment failure.
Defective brakes, worn tires, and faulty steering systems are common maintenance-related factors in truck crashes.
Vehicle and Parts Manufacturers
When defective truck parts or design flaws contribute to an accident, manufacturers may be held liable under product liability laws. Their liability may arise due to defects in braking systems, tires, coupling devices, or other safety components.
How to Determine Who’s at Fault in an Accident
You must establish fault as the foundation of your compensation claim against the negligent party. A truck accident attorney can use the following sources of evidence to establish fault:
Police Reports
Police reports are one of the first sources attorneys review when determining fault. These reports typically include officer observations, statements from both drivers, witness accounts, and preliminary conclusions regarding the cause of the crash.
A truck accident lawyer can analyze diagrams, citations issued, and recorded conditions to identify negligent actions such as speeding or improper lane changes.
Black Box Data
Most commercial trucks are equipped with electronic control modules (ECMs) or event data recorders, referred to as black boxes. These devices store helpful data leading up to a crash. A truck accident attorney can retrieve and interpret this information to understand the driver's actions and the vehicle's performance.
Black box data may include:
- Vehicle speed
- Brake application
- Sudden deceleration events
- Hours of service (HOS) logs
A truck accident lawyer can use the data to determine whether the truck driver was speeding, braking late, or violating federal rest requirements.
Driver Logbooks
Logbooks document a truck driver’s working hours, rest periods, and mileage. Violations of federal Hours-of-Service rules can show negligence, especially when fatigue contributes to the collision.
A truck accident attorney can review handwritten or electronic logs to identify inconsistencies, forged entries, or missing records. By comparing logs to GPS data, fuel receipts, and delivery timelines, a truck accident attorney can expose unsafe driving practices and employer pressure to meet unrealistic deadlines.
Surveillance and Traffic Camera Footage
Video evidence is extremely powerful in truck accident investigations. Surveillance cameras, dashcams, and traffic cameras often capture the moments leading up to or occurring during the crash.
A truck accident attorney can secure and analyze the footage to determine lane positions, driver behavior, and the sequence of events that occurred. They can use the footage to reveal negligent behaviors, such as texting while driving, running a red light, speeding, or sudden swerving.
Accident Reconstruction
Accident reconstruction involves using scientific methods to recreate the crash. A truck accident lawyer can work with engineers and reconstructionists who analyze skid marks, vehicle damage, debris patterns, and roadway conditions.
Their findings can reveal how fast vehicles were traveling, points of impact, and whether the truck driver attempted to brake or swerve.
Reconstruction evidence may include:
- Collision impact calculations
- Vehicle resting positions
A truck accident lawyer can utilize the reconstruction process to pinpoint negligence with precision and provide a clear explanation of how the crash occurred.
Truck Maintenance and Inspection Records
Truck carriers must maintain their vehicles. Maintenance logs indicate whether brakes, tires, lights, and other components were properly inspected and maintained. A truck accident attorney can review these records to determine whether mechanical failure contributed to the crash.
Photographs and Physical Evidence
Photos taken at the scene can reveal skid marks, vehicle positions, property damage, and road hazards. Physical evidence, such as damaged parts or cargo, can also indicate what caused the crash.
A truck accident attorney can use these details to reconstruct events and identify negligent behavior. Scene photos can provide clarity on visibility, weather, and traffic signals.
Do Not Face the Aftermath of a Truck Accident Alone
You may experience worsening mental health after suffering an injury in a truck accident. For example, you may experience post-traumatic stress disorder if the events leading to the collision were traumatic.
While you may be entitled to compensation for your losses, an insurer may frustrate your claim through rejections, denials, or low offers. Our truck accident attorneys at Pribanic & Pribanic have a proven track record of success and can fight for your rights.
Contact us to schedule a complimentary consultation
Truck Accident FAQs:
Most truck accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only collect payment if you win your case. This arrangement enables victims to pursue justice without incurring upfront costs, as the final settlement or verdict amount covers attorney fees.
A truck accident lawyer can guide you through legal procedures while protecting your right to compensation at every stage. They can provide legal advice on key decisions. Further, they can deal with insurance companies on your behalf, ensuring you don't inadvertently compromise your case.
The value of a bodily injury claim depends on factors such as injury severity, the strength of supporting evidence, and whether fault is shared.