An 18-year-old graduated in the class of 2015 from Moorestown, New Jersey and began attending Arcadia University in Pennsylvania as a communications major. Her friends describe her as a friendly, outgoing person and she had her whole life ahead of her. That is, until a tragic truck accident took her life.
Last month, the student was driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to make her way back to New Jersey. According to reports, her vehicle made contact with a semi-truck carrying 20,000 pounds of soap and they both swerved onto an embankment. The truck driver unfortunately lost control during the collision and the truck rolled over onto the student’s car.
The turnpike was completely shut down after the accident. Emergency response teams were able to pull the truck driver from the wreckage and move him to a local hospital. However, the student was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the truck accident is still being investigated.
Why are Truck Accidents So Dangerous?
Unfortunately, the agricultural and industrial activity in the region means New Jersey roads are full of trucks coming in and out of the state. As a result, truck accidents are fairly common in New Jersey, which means many drivers are at risk for injury or death when a truck driver makes a mistake that causes an accident. Due to the size and weight of semi-trucks, the injuries resulting from truck accidents are often catastrophic. Typically, these truck accidents are caused by the following:
- Unreasonable deadlines the truck driver is expected to meet
- Driver fatigue
- Overloaded trucks
- Lack of driver training or experience
- Dangerous weather conditions
- Trucks that have not received proper maintenance
- Poor roadway conditions
- Speeding
- Truck drivers under the influence of alcohol or stimulants
More often than not, truck drivers are pressured to meet unreasonable deadlines to pick up or drop off their loads. However, these deadlines are not an excuse to skimp on safety and put other drivers at risk. If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident, it is important to consult with a truck accident attorney to determine the cause of the accident and what your rights are in that situation.
Spevack Law Firm is a personal injury law firm that fights for victims of truck accidents in the Iselin, New Brunswick and Teaneck areas of New Jersey.
