Tractor Trailer Accidents

Fatal Accident in Williams Township When Tractor Trailer Hits Car at Tollbooth

Published on: January 18, 2014 | O'Connor Law

A New Jersey man was killed earlier this week when his car was rear-ended by a tractor trailer as he was stopped to pay a toll at westbound interstate 78 in Northampton County.

According to an article on NBCPhiladelphia.com, the rig slammed into the back of the man’s car, and both the car and truck were carried through the tollbooth. The wreckage crossed several lanes before coming to a stop at an embankment and bursting into flames. The driver of the rig was able to get out of the truck. But the driver of the car was trapped inside the wreckage.

The crash shut down the highway for several hours on Monday.

Tires Detach from Truck and Hit Another Vehicle in South Whitehall Township

Published on: November 1, 2013 | O'Connor Law

Earlier this month, a Lehigh County woman was injured when a tractor trailer’s tires came loose and hit her car. Now, the driver of the truck is being charged with a vehicle code violation.

According to an article on SouthWhitehall.patch.com, the truck was travelling west on Route 22 by the Cedar Crest Boulevard exit in South Whitehall Township when its fifth axel tires detached and bounced into the eastbound lanes of traffic. The tires hit the woman’s SUV, causing her “moderate injuries” according to state troopers.

The driver of the truck was not injured, but was charged with a vehicle code violation.

Tractor Trailer Crash Sends Car Off Bridge

Published on: August 29, 2013 | O'Connor Law

A tractor trailer crash in Baltimore in July that pushed a car off the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

According to an article on the WashingtonPost.com, the driver of the truck was employed by a Canadian company and was on his first solo trip in the United States. Although there were no mechanical defects found on the tractor-trailer, the report said it was the driver’s first trip without being paired with a more experienced driver.

The article said that before the accident, the truck driver had looked at his driver-side mirror because of sounds and lights behind him. When he looked back on the road, traffic had stopped and he was unable to avoid hitting the car in front of him. His truck pushed the car forward, hitting another car. The second car was then pushed over a barrier wall, falling 27 feet into the bay. The driver of the second car was able to get out of the car and swim to safety with minor injuries.

Tractor Trailer Accident Kills 3; Driver Charged

Published on: August 5, 2013 | O'Connor Law

In a horrific accident over the weekend in New Jersey, a mother and two of her small children were killed when a tractor-trailer driver made an illegal U-turn and crashed into their SUV.

According to an article on NBCPhiladelphia.com, a 9-year-old boy and a 3-month-old boy were killed along with their mother. The father and an 8-year-old daughter were injured and taken to the hospital where they were later released. The family was Levittown, Pennsylvania.

In the article, police said the truck driver made an illegal U-turn. The accident happened on Business Route 1 in Lawrence Township, NJ. He was arrested and charged with three counts of death by auto. He is currently being held in jail in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Crash on I-80 in Poconos Kills Truck Driver

Published on: December 11, 2012 | O'Connor Law

A chain-reaction crash killed a truck driver yesterday when another truck lost its load on I-80 in Pocono Township.

The driver of a rig lost control of his truck, causing two concrete forms to fall from his flatbed. One of the concrete forms landed on the interstate, causing a chain-reaction crash that involved three more tractor-trailers and a passenger car.

The first truck hit the concrete forms, causing it to become disabled by a flat tire. The second truck plowed into the first truck. The second truck was hauling aluminum extrusions, which crashed through the back of the trailer, pinning the driver in the wreckage. The second truck’s driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

Fatal Tractor Trailer Accident Mars Thanksgiving Weekend

Published on: November 25, 2012 | O'Connor Law

Two people were killed in an accident Saturday that involved a tractor-trailer and two other vehicles in Strabane Township, Washington County.

According to an article on WTAE.com, the accident occurred Saturday morning on Interstate 70 near Interstate 79 when the tractor-trailer driver lost control of the rig. It went over the median, flipped over, and skidded into traffic that was travelling in the opposite direction. The two victims were in a red car that was crushed under the rig.

Another vehicle was unable to stop in time and slammed into the roof of the overturned tractor-trailer. There were four people inside that vehicle, including two children. One of the adults and one child suffered serious injuries.