Truck drivers who disregard road safety regulations can be the cause of devastating accidents. Trucks typically need more space than a car to come to a halt, and many truck accidents in Pennsylvania and other states occur when the drivers fail to keep a safe following distance. Driving at a rate of speed unsuitable for traffic conditions and following too closely, combined with alcohol intake, is a foolproof recipe for fatal accidents.
A furniture removal truck driver is facing charges of vehicular homicide, DUI and reckless endangerment following a three-car crash in May. It was reported that the truck driver rear-ended an SUV on Route 22 while traveling in slow moving traffic conditions. The impact caused the SUV to smash into the back of a tractor-trailer. The SUV driver lost his life in this tragic accident.
An accident reconstuctionist stated that the box truck driver traveled at 66 mph and took about double the time a sober person would take to apply brakes. He asserted that the accident could have been avoided if the driver’s reaction times were not affected by alcohol. The officials who attended to the accident reported that the truck driver seemed confused when they spoke to him after the accident. A blood alcohol test revealed a level of nearly triple the legal limit for Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania families who have lost loved ones in rear-end truck accidents may choose to pursue recovery of damages that were brought about by the accident. With sufficient evidence of negligence on the part of another party, the family members may decide to litigate a wrongful death claim in a civil court. They may name the alleged negligent driver as a defendant, along with the driver’s employer. Successful presentation may lead to the court awarding compensation to cover end-of-life expenses, along with additional damages as allowed by state laws.
To learn more, contact a Lehigh Valley truck accident lawyer today.
