Summer means road trips, vacations, and more vehicles on the road—but it also brings a spike in tractor trailer accidents. As temperatures rise and traffic increases, so does the risk of serious collisions involving large commercial trucks. These accidents can cause life-altering injuries and often involve complex liability issues.
At Pisanchyn Law Firm, we’ve seen firsthand how devastating tractor trailer accidents can be. Here’s what drivers in Pennsylvania should know about common summer truck accident risks—and how to protect their rights if the unthinkable happens.
Why Tractor Trailer Accidents Increase in Summer
The summer season creates several conditions that contribute to a rise in trucking accidents:
1. Increased Traffic Volume
Family road trips, holiday weekends, and construction detours lead to more congestion—and more opportunities for collisions, especially with large trucks that require more space and time to stop.
2. Construction Zones
Summer is prime time for road work. Narrowed lanes, sudden merges, and reduced speed limits increase the risk of crashes involving tractor trailers, particularly when truck drivers are fatigued or distracted.
3. Tire Blowouts
High heat can cause tire pressure to rise and increase the risk of blowouts, especially for overworked or poorly maintained commercial vehicles. A blown truck tire at highway speed can lead to catastrophic loss of control.
4. Driver Fatigue
With longer daylight hours and tighter shipping schedules, truck drivers may be pushed to work longer hours, sometimes violating federal rest regulations. Fatigued driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.
5. Tourist Drivers
Out-of-town drivers unfamiliar with local roads often make sudden stops or lane changes, which can catch a fully-loaded tractor trailer off guard—resulting in rear-end collisions or side-swipes.
Common Types of Tractor Trailer Accidents
Jackknife Accidents – When a trailer swings out from the cab, often due to sudden braking or slick road conditions.
Underride Collisions – Smaller vehicles can slide under the rear or side of a trailer, often with fatal results.
Blind Spot Crashes – Trucks have large blind zones; drivers who aren’t aware may get sideswiped.
Rollover Accidents – High speeds, tight turns, or uneven cargo loading can cause a truck to tip over.
Rear-End Collisions – Trucks need much more stopping distance; distracted or speeding truckers may not stop in time.
What to Do After a Tractor Trailer Accident
If you or a loved one is involved in a crash with a semi-truck or tractor trailer, here’s what you should do:
Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.
Document the scene, including photos, witness names, and all vehicle information.
Do not speak to insurance companies before consulting an attorney.
Contact an experienced truck accident lawyer to protect your rights.
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties—drivers, trucking companies, maintenance crews, and cargo handlers. An experienced legal team can investigate the cause and identify who is truly at fault.
Pisanchyn Law Firm: Your Tractor Trailer Accident Advocates
At Pisanchyn Law Firm, we understand the complexity of truck accident cases. We work with accident reconstruction experts, review trucking logs and black box data, and fight to hold negligent parties accountable.
