Pennsylvania Injury Attorneys Blog
We were shocked and saddened to read an article in the Reading Eagle (ReadingEagle.com) that reported a 19-year-old Reading man was killed in a crash Wednesday evening involving his car and a tractor trailer. The accident is still under investigation, but preliminary reports say that the truck ran over the vehicle near Route 73 in Berks County. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this young man.
In another part of Berks County, a tractor trailer was reported to have struck the median barrier on I-78 in Greenwich Township. The crash scattered chunks of concrete on both sides of the highway, blocking one lane in each direction. Traffic was slowed as PennDot crews worked to clear the scene. No report yet as to how many vehicles were involved or if there were any injuries.
We know that unfortunately these accidents do happen. So we did some research in order to provide our clients with some safety measures that they can use when they find themselves sharing the road and highway with big trucks.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s website offers the following tips for help prevent accidents by trying to anticipate hazardous situations and adjusting the way you drive when this occurs. These tips are posted for tractor trailer drivers, but they can apply to drivers of any type of vehicle:
Learn to recognize driving situations that can be harzardous.
Assume other drivers will make errors.
Adjust speed, position, direction and attention to be able to maneuver safely if a hazard develops.
Scan far enough ahead to be able to react safely to approaching situations.
Scan frequently to the side and rear for passing and approaching vehicles.
Scan thoroughly before changing speed or direction.
Remember that if you are in an accident with a tractor trailer and the accident was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation, including reimbursement of medical bills as well as compensation for pain and suffering. Contract the truck accident attorneys of O’Connor Law for a free review of your case.