Anyone who is traveling on the PA Turnpike knows that trucks make the ride more challenging. They take up more room, but they also change the visibility of the road in front of you, making it harder to plan for hills or traffic that backs up. If you are in an accident with a truck on the PA Turnpike, the risk of serious injuries is much higher than being in an accident with another passenger truck.
Why are truck accidents on the PA Turnpike so much worse? There are several potential reasons for this.
The Difference in Size and Weight
Truck accidents on the PA Turnpike, including those that occur in West Chester, Phoenixville, or Philadelphia, are particularly hazardous due to the significant size difference between the vehicles. Heavier trucks cause more damage to smaller SUVs, pickup trucks, and passenger vehicles.
The weight of an 18-wheeler may be as much as 80,000 pounds when fully loaded with cargo. A car typically weighs around 4,000 pounds. That difference means the truck is going to cause significantly more damage.
The Need for Space to Stop
Another reason truck accidents on the PA Turnpike become deadly is that trucks cannot come to a sudden stop. When traffic backs up in areas such as Lower Salford Township, Horsham, or Whitpain, a car can come to a slow stop and wait until the area clears. If traffic suddenly stops in front of a truck, that is much more challenging to do. It takes trucks much longer to come to a stop.
The result is that the truck may not stop in time due to changing road conditions. It strikes a passenger vehicle at a higher rate of speed, creating more force and causing more damage. That means, too, that if an animal runs into the road or a driver cuts off a truck driver, the truck driver cannot just slam on the brakes and expect the vehicle to avoid striking others on the road.
Cargo on Board
The type of material on the truck can also play a role in how dangerous the incident is. It is legal for approved companies with licensed drivers to carry hazardous materials across the state on the PA Turnpike. Any type of Table 1 hazardous material, such as explosives, is not permitted on the roadway. However, non-bulk transport of Table 2 materials is often allowed. That means there is a risk to the truck if it is struck, creating a serious catastrophe.
Table 2 materials include flammable solids, poisons, and flammable gas products. These are oxidizers and corrosive materials that cause serious injury and death when they spill onto roadways or, even worse, come in contact with a person’s skin. If a truck is carrying any type of material that could be hazardous, you can expect that to worsen the risk of injury to you. Note that there are many restrictions, especially when it comes to tunnels. Drivers must know and follow these rules to protect everyone else on the roadway.
Truck Drivers Make Mistakes
Truck drivers are skilled at what they do. They must have a specific license to provide commercial driving services for most 18-wheelers and other large trucks. Yet, truck drivers are on the road for long hours at a time, and with that comes a risk of making mistakes. Some of the most common mistakes truckers make that can cause serious accidents and losses to victims include:
- Speeding, driving over the stated limit, is unsafe and creates the risk of injury
- Improper turns, especially on some of the steep climbs and narrow curves located along the PA Turnpike
- Failure to maintain a safe distance can also be a big problem associated with truck accidents, especially if the truck is traveling at a high rate of speed
- Not signaling before merging makes it hard for drivers on the road with the truck to know how to navigate
- Distracted driving, including the use of a phone, eating, or even pets, can increase the risk of accidents
When a truck driver makes these mistakes, the outcome is often much worse due to the previously mentioned factors, including the additional distance required to stop and the hazardous cargo on board.
Weather Conditions
It is impossible not to mention the poor weather conditions in some parts of the state. While in the Philadelphia area, the risk of serious weather may be slightly lower than up near the lake, snow, ice, sleet, and fog are all factors that impact drivers on the road.
Weather conditions also impact the quality and condition of the roadway itself. Potholes can cause a truck driver to lose control, and that can lead to a serious risk of injury. If roads are not maintained with salt and kept clear, the risk of injury also climbs.
Let Our PA Truck Accident Lawyer Help You
With the guidance of our truck accident lawyer in PA, you gain the confidence you need to hold those who hurt you accountable. Contact Kwartler Manus now to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights after an accident.