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Common causes of Lehigh Valley truck accidents

Navigating the roads of the Lehigh Valley can be quite dangerous. The major highways are constantly jammed with high volumes of traffic. The side streets can be just as crowded depending on the time of day. Large trucks are a common sight on these roads, so today, we will discuss the common causes of Lehigh Valley truck accidents.

Trucks are an important part of the country’s economy. They carry goods to retailers from manufacturers. They also carry goods from retailers to customers. The more trucks you see on the roads, the better the economy is. As the volume of trucks increases, so does the number of accidents. So, what are the common causes of truck accidents?

Turning Left in Front of a Semi Truck

One of the most common causes of a large truck accident is when a vehicle turns left in front of the truck at an intersection. There are various reasons for this type of accident, but most often, it is due to a vehicle’s driver not being able to anticipate the speed of an approaching truck and its distance before making the turn.

Merging Traffic

Another common cause of large truck accidents is when a vehicle drives in between two trucks. This is incredibly dangerous because neither truck driver can see the vehicle in the middle lane.

Drivers who abruptly change lanes in front of a truck are putting themselves at great risk for an accident. Driving near large trucks should always involve safe vehicle operations to avoid accidents.

Vehicles can also get involved in serious truck accidents when they improperly merge into traffic. Trucks already on the highway that are approaching the merge might be unable to slow down, accelerate, or change lanes to accommodate a vehicle merging onto the highway.

Inadequate Truck Driver Training

Believe it or not, there are truck drivers on the roads today who do not have adequate training. This does not mean they are operating a commercial vehicle without a commercial driver’s license (CDL), but it is close. Inadequate training includes insufficient defensive driving training, safety concerns, and training involving driving techniques.

Truck Driver Fatigue

Another common cause of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Truck drivers are assigned long trips quite often, and if they don’t get enough rest during the trip, they become fatigued. Driver fatigue can lead to falling asleep behind the wheel or making the wrong decisions when faced with adverse situations on the road.

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving does not happen only in cars and SUVs. Truck drivers could also be distracted while operating their commercial vehicles. Cellphones can be used anywhere these days, and in a truck is not uncommon. Truck drivers who text or talk while driving could find themselves in the middle of a severe accident. Distracted driving does not just include handheld devices either. Drivers who eat, shave, apply makeup, read the paper, or change the radio stations while driving can also be involved in trucking accidents.

Speeding

Speed is a very common cause of truck accidents in Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. With so many long stretches of roads without turns or much to look at, drivers can forget their speed and accelerate quite easily. Trucks do not have the ability to slow down at a moment’s notice, which means speed can be a big factor in many crashes.

Improperly Loaded Tractor Trailers

The way a truck is loaded can also be a cause of an accident. Oversized loads and uneven loads can cause a truck to clip another vehicle or roll over when making a turn.

These are just some of the common causes of truck accidents in the Lehigh Valley. There are plenty of other causes, including drivers being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Trucking Accident Lawyer in Lehigh Valley

Have you been injured in a truck accident in the Lehigh Valley? A Lehigh truck accident attorney can help you learn about your rights and how you can secure compensation for your injuries.

Contact Us Today For a Free Consultation!

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