For over 50 years, the legendary Beasley law firm in Philadelphia has represented clients who have been injured and family members of those killed by semi trucks, tractor-trailers, 18 wheeler trucks and delivery trucks. The Beasley law firm is a nationally recognized catastrophic injury and wrongful death firm that has been awarded over $2 billion for our clients.
Each year in America, hundreds of thousands of pedestrians, drivers and motorists are catastrophically injured or killed as the result of negligent operation of large trucks. More than 25% of all deaths in motor vehicle collisions are caused by large trucks even though trucks constitute less than 3% of all registered vehicles.
Many times, accident reconstruction and investigation of a truck crash will reveal that the truck driver failed to abide by federal and state regulations in an attempt to maximize profitability. Individuals who are catastrophically injured or killed have a legal right to hold truck drivers and trucking companies liable for harm caused by their negligence or noncompliance.
Truck Crash Causes and Consequences
In Pennsylvania, a major cause of trucking accidents and deadly truck wrecks is driver inattention, speeding, driving too fast for weather/road conditions, obscured vision, and the other catch-all, “human contributing factors”.
Our experienced truck accident lawyers at the Beasley law firm have handled many cases involving unsecured truckloads that either fly or fall off a truck and into the pathway of another vehicle. In one of our cases, a steel coil weighing approximately 8,000 pounds rolled off a flatbed truck traveling at a high rate of speed. This caused more than $200,000 worth of damage to the interstate highway before it rolled into the pathway of another vehicle and killed a woman.
Recently in Philadelphia, the operator of a truck with faulty brakes killed an innocent victim. An investigation revealed that the truck had an illegal inspection sticker, meaning that it was never inspected. It was later determined that the truck had numerous dangerous safety violations and was never properly maintained.
Truck Driver Fatigue
One of the greatest risks to motorists on Pennsylvania highways and noted to be the number one safety problem in the trucking industry today, and a factor in 40% of all trucking crashes nationwide, is known as truck driver fatigue. Greedy profit driven motives of trucking companies have made truck driver fatigue a largely unregulated problem resulting in the catastrophic injuries and wrongful deaths of thousands of innocent and unknowing individuals each year. Truck drivers are only allowed to drive their vehicles for a set number of hours.
At Beasley law firm, our investigations and accident reconstructions have clearly revealed that most truck accidents are caused by driver fatigue as well as improperly maintained trucks and truck parts. When smaller vehicles are involved in accidents with large trucks, the disproportionate weight and size of the vehicles coupled with truck driver fatigue often lead to occupants of the smaller vehicle suffering serious injury or death.
Trucker Sleep Apnea Dangers
Another major problem and cause of injuries and death indicated in many truck crashes is sleep apnea. Research reveals a strong link between overweight truck drivers and sleep apnea. Statistics indicate that the truck crashes caused by sleep apnea kill more than 5,200 people each year and injure more than 100,000 individuals each year in the United States.
The Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys of the Beasley firm have been stalwart crusaders regarding the duties owed by trucking companies and common carriers to the public. Trucking companies are expected to conduct appropriate drug, alcohol, and sleep apnea testing. These test results could indicate disorders that present a safety risk to the public.
Obesity is a major public health issue in America and is one of the basic causes and predictors of sleep apnea. Obesity and sleep apnea generally go unreported by truckers and trucking companies until it is too late and a tragic and often preventable accident occurs. Big trucks barreling down the highways are scary enough for most car drivers, but what about when the driver is asleep?
Legends Fighting Your Battles to Ensure Justice
The Philadelphia based Beasley trucking accident lawyers have successfully represented clients injured and family members of those killed by semi trucks, tractor-trailers, 18 wheelers, delivery trucks, and common carriers in Pennsylvania and throughout America for over five decades. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact one of our experienced Philadelphia traffic accident attorneys.
