Pennsylvania Truck Accident Statistics
Thousands of vehicle accidents occur in the State of Pennsylvania every year, during which many motorists are injured or killed. There were 7,465 big truck crashes in Pennsylvania in 2015, 130 of which were fatal crashes. Of the total crashes in the state that year, 11.8 percent of crash fatalities and five percent of injury-related crashes involved heavy trucks.
Below are some key truck accident statistics and trends according to research conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT).
Pennsylvania Crash Trends
While the total number of crashes involving heavy trucks in 2015 was the highest since 2011, fatal truck crashes were the lowest in the past five years.
More than 75 percent of Pennsylvania big truck accidents in 2015 occurred on state highways. Which includes both state-maintained roads and interstate highways. The rest of the crashes happened on either the Pennsylvania Turnpike or a local road, according to PennDOT.
Of the fatal crashes that occurred in 2015, only 2.3 percent of the crash deaths involved heavy truck occupants, most of whom were in the driver’s seat.
Truck Accident Causes
PennDOT noted that in 2015, the primary factors in vehicle failure-related truck crashes were related to unsecured or overloaded trailers as well as issues with tires, wheels and brakes. A study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found that driver behavior and environmental conditions also often lead to truck crashes. Read more about the common causes of truck accidents.
Truck Accident Victims
The Pennsylvania semi-truck accident attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers have decades of experience investigating truck-related accidents and holding responsible parties accountable when someone gets hurt. We are well-versed in accident reconstruction techniques as well as trucking company insurance negotiation, ensuring our clients receive maximum compensation for their injuries.
Contact Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers for assistance if you were injured or a loved one was killed in a Pennsylvania commercial truck accident. Our legal team can begin investigating the crash and seeking the compensation you deserve.
