Pennsylvania Personal Injury Blog

Penn Live reports that Congress is considering legislation that would increase the weight of trucks on interstate highways to 97,000 pounds, a 21 percent rise from 80,000, the current limit.

Those in favor of the proposed changes say that heavier trucks would mean fewer trucks on the road, which would also lead to cleaner air since less fuel will be consumed. However, opponents say that heavier trucks would make the roads less safe for other motorists and that accidents that involve the heavier trucks would be more deadly.

Currently, states set the weight limits for their own roads. Each state would need to pass legislation to allow heavier trucks on their interstates within their borders. This could complicate trucking routes should some states approve the weight increase and others do not.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has said it will review the effect heavier tractor-trailers would have on the state’s interstate highways. In Pennsylvania, trucks that weigh 100,000 pounds are able to travel on the Pennsylvania Turnpike without a permit. However, unless they have a permit, they aren’t able to exit the turnpike to travel on interstates and other roads in the state. Tractor-trailers that weigh over 80,000 pounds are able to travel on state interstates only by permit. If that weight is exceeded, a government permit and an escort vehicle are needed, as is typically the case with flatbed trucks that are loaded with heavy equipment.

The proposed legislation would also require trucks to have more axles in order to better distribute the increased weight, and to have an improved braking system. Experts estimate it would cost between $6,000 to $10,000 per truck to add the additional axles and updated brakes to meet the new safety requirements for trucks with higher weight limits.

If you have been injured in a truck accident in Pennsylvania, contact the Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We can help you determine whether a truck driver’s negligence or defective truck part contributed to your accident, and we will compile a strong case on your behalf in order for you to obtain the compensation you need to continue living your life. For a free consultation, call 1-888-684-7192 today.

A truck driver from Northeast Philadelphia was recently charged with making false entries in his log book. He admitted that he was not taking required breaks prior to a fatal crash on January 23, 2009. According to The Philadelphia Inquirer, his passenger was injured in the crash and the other driver was killed.

Federal statutes require that truck drivers rest 10 hours between trips and do not drive more than 11 hours per day. The motor carrier and equipment provider must also thoroughly inspect, repair, and maintain all motor vehicles and intermodal equipment. In this case, the truck had not passed inspection. According to the article, brake failure was the cause of the fatal truck crash in January 2009.

In Pennsylvania, there were 5,247 crashes in 2009 that involved heavy trucks and 122 of these accidents were fatal. Most of the heavy truck crashes involved vehicle failures related to tires and wheels, brakes, and unsecured or overloaded trailers.

Because of the size and weight of a truck, accidents between a truck and a car are particularly hazardous. If you have recently been in a truck accident, it is important that you protect yourself, your passengers, your property and your legal rights. If the truck driver was not in compliance with federal regulations, or if they were driving while drowsy, distracted, or engaging in any other type of negligent driving, you could be entitled to compensation from the driver and their employer.

Protect yourself by contacting the experienced Philadelphia truck accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. Call our law offices today for a free consultation regarding your PA truck accident.

Nicholas Gazzara III, an 18-year-old high school soccer player from South Jersey, died in a car crash on December 16. Philly.com reports that he lost control of his car in the snow and collided with an oncoming truck, injuring the truck driver.

Innocent lives are lost every day because of traffic accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported there were 33,963 auto accident-related fatalities in the United States in 2009. The main factors in car crashes are the driver, roadway, and vehicle. About 80 to 95 percent of all car crashes involve driver error. Younger drivers in particular have a high rate of being involved in car accidents because of their inexperience and less cautious driving practices. In fact, in 2008, there were 7,346 18-year-olds involved in Pennsylvania car accidents, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. These young motorists often drive distracted or succumb to peer pressure to speed.

In this particular accident, the weather may have played a part. Although the majority of car crashes occur under no adverse conditions, inclement weather and road surface conditions negatively affect how a car handles as well as inhibits driver visibility. The NHTSA recommends all motorists take the time to learn how their vehicle handles in winter weather driving conditions.

If you have been involved in an auto accident in Pennsylvania, Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP are experienced Philadelphia car crash lawyers who can carefully review the facts of your accident and help determine who was at fault. Our attorneys will also investigate the road conditions and weather conditions, the vehicles involved, and if alcohol or drugs were involved. Call us today for a free case evaluation.

Tractor-trailer driver Sheraz Khana was recently convicted of vehicular homicide for a 2008 accident that killed three people in Cherry Hill, NJ. According to an article on Philly.com, he was charged with other offenses as well, including careless driving and possession of marijuana and steroids.

In 2009, there 3,380 people killed in truck accidents in the U.S. About 2,551 of these fatalities were occupants in the other vehicles involved in a truck crash.

Under the Department of Transportation, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is responsible for promoting truck safety and works to reduce the number of accidents associated with commercial vehicles. Part of the work of the FMCSA is to gather statistics from around the country highlighting areas of concern, areas that still need improvement and areas where stricter regulations have paid off. Due to the work of organizations like the FMCSA, the number of injuries associated with large trucks in 2008 was the lowest it has been in at least ten years.

Truck accidents can cause heavy damages and traumatic injuries. Drivers who share the road with a commercial truck need to be very cautious and watch for any unusual moves that the driver may make. Some of the common causes of truck accidents include irresponsible actions by the trucker operator, including changing lanes abruptly, driving while fatigued, and drunk driving.

If you or a loved one has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP is a personal injury law firm with an excellent reputation for representing clients who have been injured in truck accidents in Pennsylvania. They handle truck accident cases in Pennsylvania that involve private and commercial trucks, including tow trucks, pickup trucks, 18-wheelers, semi-trailers, tractor-trailers, and more. Call the Philadelphia truck crash lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today for a free consultation regarding your truck accident in Pennsylvania.

Two Pennsylvania residents suffered fatal head and spinal cord injuries when their pickup truck crashed into concrete dislodged by a pickup truck in Dauphin County recently, according to an article published in The Patriot-News.

The two pickup truck passengers, who were from Burnham and Lewistown, were driving down State Routes 22/322 in Middle Paxton Township when a tractor-trailer coming from the opposite direction struck the concrete divider in the center of the road. The impact knocked chunks of concrete onto the pickup truck and through the windshield. The two victims suffered severe head and neck injuries from the concrete, which ultimately proved to be fatal.

A third passenger in the truck was not injured in the Pennsylvania truck crash. The tractor-trailer driver was also unhurt. Police are still trying to determine what caused the tractor-trailer to veer into the concrete barrier.

Traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries are devastating. They can result in severe injury or even death, changing the course of a person’s and a family’s life. For those who survive an accident with a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury, the medical costs for both the injury and rehabilitation can be astronomical.

If you or a loved one has suffered a traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury during a car accident, workplace accident, or other situation, it is important to focus on moving forward after tragedy strikes. The experienced Pennsylvania personal injury lawyers at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP will use their experience to seek the compensation you deserve, so you can recover. Call Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP today at 888-684-7192 for a free consultation.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) recently cited trucking company JBS Carriers for multiple safety violations, including violating hours-of-service rules and rules on commercial drivers’ licenses.

The company must install electronic on-board recorders in all 700 of its trucks or pay over $81,000 in fines. In addition to installing the electronic on-board recorders (EOBRs), JBS must also train its drivers in how to use them properly and set up a plan to incorporate the data from the EOBRs into its evaluations of its drivers.

The trucking company, which makes deliveries nationwide for food companies and other clients, had falsified its employees’ hours of service records, according to FMCSA. The company had also allowed drivers without valid commercial drivers’ licenses to drive the company’s trucks.

The federal government’s hours-of-service rules prohibit drivers from driving for extended periods of time without getting proper rest. The rules are in place to protect drivers from becoming too fatigued to drive safely and help prevent truck accidents. Sleepy drivers increase the risk of an accident because they cannot pay full attention to the road, nor can they react quickly in an emergency. When a truck driver becomes fatigued, the truck poses an even greater risk to other motorists on the road than ordinary passenger cars due to the truck’s large size and weight.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a truck accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We will examine your case carefully and help you understand your legal rights and options. Call 888-684-7192 today for a free case evaluation.

After a recent inspection of a tractor-trailer owned by a company in Perry County, Carlisle police have issued over $15,000 in fines, according to a recently published article in the Patriot-News. The truck had a number of problems that made it unsafe to drive or to keep for the company’s use, according to police.

Police discovered the truck recently parked in the 300 block of South Hanover Street in Carlisle. Upon inspection, police discovered that the truck had not been registered with the state of Pennsylvania. It was also carrying more than 18 tons of weight over the legal weight limit for a truck of its size. In addition to discovering two blown-out tires on the truck, police also found a loose wheel, a tire that was leaking air, and a tire that was almost completely bald. Inspection of the truck’s brakes showed that fully half of them needed adjustment.

The truck has been placed out of service until the company repairs it, pays its fines, and gets a permit from the Department of Transportation.

Mechanical failures in large trucks are a common source of Pennsylvania truck accidents. Some mechanical failures are due to defective parts, while others are the result of the truck owner’s failure to keep the truck in proper working condition. This carelessness often results in serious truck accidents that cause injury to the driver and to others sharing the road.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Pennsylvania truck accident, please don’t hesitate to contact the experienced Philadelphia tractor trailer crash attorneys at Cherry Fieger & Marciano, LLP. We will carefully review your case and fight to hold negligent parties responsible for their actions. Call our lawyers today for a free consultation at 888-684-7192.

According to this report, two trucks were involved in a Pennsylvania accident that killed a Chicago woman. After one of them rear-ended the car that the woman was riding in on Interstate 90, she was thrown from the car and then struck by a second truck. Neither one of the trucks stopped after she was hit.

It wasn’t determined if the woman was killed when she landed on the highway or when the second truck hit her. The article reported that the driver of the second truck might not have known he hit someone.

According to the PA Department of Transportation, the vast majority of heavy truck crashes involve vehicle failures as primary contributing factors in crashes and are related to tires and wheels, brakes, and unsecured or overloaded trailers.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor trailer crash in PA, your physical and emotional injuries are extremely important, and may result in compensation for pain and suffering, loss of future income, and loss of current income due to inability to perform job duties.

Continue reading "Pennsylvania Truck Hit and Run Crash Kills Woman" »

On May 21, an accident involving three trucks killed one driver and injured another on the New Jersey Turnpike. According to this Los Angeles times article, a dump truck decelerating as it approached a construction area on the highway’s northbound lanes in Chesterfield was rear-ended by a box truck.

The box truck swerved into a barricade and the driver was declared dead at the scene.

The dump truck broke apart, and part of the vehicle remained in the center lane. A truck carrying 8,000 gallons of kerosene swerved to miss it and overturned. That driver was flown to Cooper University Hospital in Camden.

The family of the victim who died as well as the injured victim would be well advised to consult an experienced accident attorney who is experienced with truck accidents and multiple party claims.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, the Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano, LLP will review all relevant facts to assist in determining which party was at fault and who should assume responsibilities. Some factors that may be of importance during this process may include road conditions, weather conditions, the condition of the vehicles involved (i.e., faulty or defective auto parts), and whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved.

Continue reading "Fatal 3-Truck Crash Shuts 26 Miles of NJ Turnpike" »

An Ohio truck driver pleaded guilty to manslaughter after his rig hit a disabled car on a New York highway while watching pornography on his laptop computer. According to this article by The Associated Press on Philly.com, Thomas Wallace of Ohio had little sleep before the Dec. 12 crash on the New York State Thruway that killed a woman from Snyder, N.Y.

The woman hit a deer and her car was disabled in the passing lane about 20 miles east of Buffalo, NY. Wallace’s tractor-trailer struck it from behind.

The trucker pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter and faces five to 15 years in prison.

The family of the wrongful death victim in this accident would be well advised to consult an experienced accident attorney who is experienced with truck accidents and multiple party claims.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, the Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers at Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP will review all relevant facts to assist in determining which party was at fault and who should assume responsibilities. Some factors that may be of importance during this process may include road conditions, weather conditions, the condition of the vehicles involved (i.e., faulty or defective auto parts), and whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved.

If your vehicle sustained any damaged in the incident, repairs can be assessed by a body shop. Of course, your physical and emotional injuries associated with the PA auto accident are extremely important, and may result in compensation for pain and suffering, loss of future income, and loss of current income due to inability to perform job duties.

The skilled PA injury attorneys at Cherry Fieger and Marciano, LLP have years of experience representing victims of Pennsylvania vehicle accident cases, including motorcycle accident injury and truck accident injury cases. Call today for a free consultation with one of our knowledgeable lawyers.

Two tractor-trailers drivers were killed and two automobile drivers injured in a five-vehicle crash on May 10 in West Saint Clair Township, Pennsylvania. According to this article on www.times-news.com, a 2000 Sterling Truck tractor pulling a trailer was traveling eastbound when it struck the rear bumper of a 1997 Pontiac Grand Am pushing the Vogel vehicle into the westbound lane.

The Sterling truck tractor began to roll over onto its driver side and then struck a westbound 2006 International truck and pushed the impacted tanker trailer over the guardrail and down an embankment.

The Sterling rig then struck an eastbound 2003 Suzuki Vitara and a 2005 Chevrolet Cavalier, which caused extensive damage to both vehicles.

The trucking company could be held liable for serious injuries caused as a result of this multi-vehicle accident. The people who were injured may have rights to compensation for their losses and injuries. The owner of the truck may also be liable.

The injured victims would be well advised to consult a knowledgeable Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer who is experienced with trucking collisions and multiple party claims.

Continue reading "West Saint Clair Township Multiple-Vehicle Crash Kills Two" »

A man was killed and a mother and her 3-year-old daughter were injured in a crash on April 21 in East Windsor, NJ.

According to this article on NJ.com, the 52-year-old male truck driver from Middlesex Borough, NJ was driving a Freightliner truck west on Mercer Street toward Route 130 when he crossed the grass median into oncoming traffic.

The truck collided with an SUV driven by a 42-year-old woman from Lawrence, NJ. Both vehicles were forced off the road.

The article said that the truck driver was pronounced dead at the scene and that the driver of the SUV and her daughter were rushed to a nearby Hospital in New Brunswick and treated for injuries.

The trucking company could be held liable for serious injuries caused as a result of this truck accident. The driver who was injured may have rights to compensation for their losses and injuries. The owner of the truck may also be liable.

The injured victim would be well advised to consult a skilled personal injury lawyer who is experienced with truck accidents and multiple party claims.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia accident lawyers at Cherry, Fieger, and Marciano will review all relevant facts to assist in determining which party was at fault and who should assume responsibilities. Some factors that may be of importance during this process may include road conditions, weather conditions, the condition of the vehicles involved (i.e., faulty or defective auto parts), and whether or not alcohol or drugs were involved.

Continue reading "East Windsor Trucking Accident Kills Driver" »

On May 13, one person was killed on U.S. 64 in North Carolina after two tractor trailers collided.

According to this article on www.newsobserver.com, a tractor-trailer owned by J.B. Hunt Inc. was traveling east on US 64 and was stopped in the right lane. A second tractor-trailer owned by Preferred Transport & Distribution Inc. was also traveling on the right lane of eastbound US 64 and impacted the J.B. Hunt truck in the rear.

The driver of the second tractor-trailer was killed on impact. The driver of the Hunt truck was taken to a nearby hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The article reported that the reason why the J.B. Hunt tractor-trailer had come to a stop in its travel lane is under investigation.

The trucking company could be held liable for the death caused as a result of this accident. The owner of the truck may also be liable.

The family of the victim who died would be well advised to consult an experienced accident attorney who is experienced with truck accidents and multiple party claims.

Continue reading "Tractor Trailer Accident Kills Driver" »

Kenneth Laymon, an Alabama truck driver, was on his cell phone sending and receiving calls leading up to a crash that killed him and 10 other people in Kentucky in March.

According to this article by The Examiner, Laymon was driving in excess of the 70 mph speed limit and did not have his tractor-trailer under control when he crossed the median on March 26 and struck a van carrying Mennonites to a wedding in Iowa.

Laymon tried braking 96 feet after entering the median, and a witness said Laymon may have been traveling 80 mph when the accident happened. The van showed no signs of trying to avoid Laymon’s truck.

The National Transportation Safety Board is also looking at highway engineering, vehicle design and operation, and other issues before reaching a conclusion, which may take a year or more. An investigation by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration is also pending.

Weather was not a cause of the fatal tractor trailer wreck, although the road was wet from rainfall the night before, it didn’t cause the accident.

The trucking company could be held liable for serious injuries caused as a result of this accident. The people who were injured may have rights to compensation for their losses and injuries. The owner of the truck may also be liable.

The injured victims would be well advised to consult an experienced personal injury lawyer who is experienced with truck accidents and multiple party claims.

Continue reading "Cell Phone Use Cited in Truck Collision that Killed 11" »

On March 25, a dump truck plowed into a group of eight motorcycles stopped at a red light in Phoenix, AZ, killing three riders, injuring six. According this article, the eight motorcycles, carrying at least nine people, had pulled up behind a pickup and a small SUV at the light when the truck driver rammed them from behind. The truck ran over the motorcyclists and continued into the SUV.

Some of the motorcycles burst into flames under the dump truck, while others ended up scattered behind the truck.

The article reported that the 50-year-old truck driver was not impaired.

Several motorcycles wedged underneath the garbage truck, which caught fire.

Though motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania have a variety of causes, common causes include unsafe road conditions, inclement weather, defective motorcycle parts, driver fatigue, drunk drivers, and driver error. The latter is the most common cause of motorcycle accidents. Some passenger vehicles simply don't understand the rules of the road and may hit a motorcycle while changing lanes, may disregard their presence on the road, or ignore right-of-way laws. Unfortunately, the toll is usually on the side of the motorcyclist in these cases. Due to the inherent lack of protection while on a motorcycle, catastrophic injury often occurs, ranging from broken bones and minor lacerations and bruises to disfigurement, brain injury, paralysis and even death.

Continue reading "3 Phoenix Motorcycle Riders Killed in Truck Crash" »

It is normal and a very common thing to take a walk when visiting a new city especially with your significant other. Unfortunately, a tragic story unfolded on the streets of New York City recently when a husband and wife from Britain were run down by a garbage truck driver who forgot to take his anti-seizure medicine, according to a story on the nypost.com website. The avoidable accident happened in February 2008 and now the 58-year-old driver of that truck has been found guilty by a jury and sentenced to 20 years to life in prison. The couple, both age 47, were enjoying a nice walk near Pennsylvania station when the driver lost control of the garbage truck, smashing his way onto the sidewalk where the couple happened to be walking.

The judge said that by not taking his medication, the man had become “a time bomb ready to explode.” Prosecutors stated that the man had failed to disclose his illness at the time of hiring. Without question, this story highlights the flawed hiring procedures by the city. How can a person be given the keys to a multi-ton vehicle without being tested to see if they are fit to operate such heavy duty equipment?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian and motor vehicle accidents are a serious problem throughout the world and the United States has a particular problem with pedestrian deaths and injuries. Not surprising is the fact that older pedestrians are more likely to be injured or killed when struck by a motor vehicle than younger pedestrians.

Continue reading "Garbage Truck Kills Two Pedestrians" »

A 33-year-old woman of Magnolia, NJ was driving her Ford Escort in the interstate through Haddon Heights when a tractor-trailer following behind her failed to brake for traffic that had slowed for a construction zone. According to an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer, she was pinned in her car, crushed between two trucks and suffered serious injuries below her waist.

The accident occurred when a tractor-trailer veered to the left and slammed into a concrete barrier. It bounced back into the center lane of traffic and plowed into the rear of the woman’s Ford Escort. The impact drove her car into the rear of a box truck carrying liquor.

The box truck collided with several more vehicles before it came to a stop.

The female motorist was sandwiched between the two trucks and pinned by the engine block of her car. Rescue workers had to pull her from the wreckage.

The driver of the tractor-trailer was not injured. The box truck driver suffered neck and back pain.

The article said the tractor-trailer driver would receive a traffic summons for careless driving. Other charges may be forthcoming after an investigation and an inspection of the truck by state police.

Continue reading "Trucks Crush Car and Pin Woman on I-295 in Camden County" »