What is a Logging Truck Accident, and How is it Different from Other Truck Accidents?
As the name suggests, a logging truck is a special type of flatbed vehicle used to transport full-sized timber from the forest to the mill. These trucks are longer than standard tractor-trailers and present unique hazards to Reading drivers and residents alike.
If you were injured in a logging truck accident, you may be entitled to considerable compensation from commercial insurers. Discuss your claims with the dedicated Reading truck accident attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C.
Dangers Posed by Log and Pole Trucks
Because logging trucks carry unprocessed timber on open flatbeds, truck drivers cannot make sharp turns or easily change lanes. This lack of maneuverability often prevents drivers from responding to sudden road hazards, such as wildlife, which may cause multi-vehicle collisions. Log and pole trucks also contain numerous blind spots and, due to the open trailer, cannot typically support backup cameras and other warning devices like newer semi-trucks. This may result in logging truck drivers pushing smaller vehicles off the road while changing lanes.
In addition to the dangers posed by other large trucks, log trucks are more often involved in cargo loss accidents. Logs and pipes roll easily, and improperly secured cargo on open flatbeds may roll off the side of the trailer or be propelled off the back of the truck and into the rear vehicle. Unlawful driving behaviors such as speeding increase the risks associated with cargo loss accidents. Although federal regulations require logs to be immobilized and supported by structures of adequate strength, trees are not uniform. They often have a concave shape and are not all the same length. This can leave certain logs more loosely secured than others, resulting in devastating logging truck accidents.
Recovering Compensation for Logging Truck Accident Injuries in Reading
Drivers, passengers, bikers, and pedestrians have all been impacted by negligent logging truck operators and cargo loaders. These injuries are often severe due to the sheer size and weight of flatbed trucks and their cargo. Common injuries sustained in log truck accidents include the following:
- Skull fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Diffuse axonal injury
- Paralysis
- Slipped and herniated spinal discs
- Compound fractures
- Burns
- Internal organ damage
- Death
An experienced attorney can investigate whether the trucking company and cargo loaders violated federal regulations, such as failing to secure cargo or overloading the vehicle, or whether the truck driver broke Pennsylvania traffic laws. More regulations apply to large flatbed vehicles than standard tractor-trailers, and many accidents occur due to legal violations. Proving such violations contributed to the accident may result in higher and quicker financial settlements with commercial motor vehicle insurers.
Connect with a Reading Logging Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one sustained a serious injury in a logging truck accident, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. Do not take on commercial insurers and powerful trucking companies alone. The dedicated personal injury attorneys at Fanelli, Evans & Patel, P.C. may be able to take your case without any upfront fees or out-of-pocket costs. Schedule your free case consultation today by calling our Reading office at (484) 869-2113 or contacting us online.