Key Takeaways:
- Two-lane sections, tight ramps, and work zones on the Blue Route leave truck drivers little room for error.
- Cargo loaders, repair shops, parts manufacturers, and construction contractors may share fault.
- Claims against PennDOT for road conditions face strict notice rules.
- Driver logs and data recorder information help prove what caused the crash.
Responsibility for a Blue Route truck accident falls on whoever acted carelessly and caused the crash. That is often the truck driver or trucking company, but it can include others. Pennsylvania generally assigns each party a share of fault, and a party found 60% or more at fault may owe the full judgment.
Why the Blue Route Is a Hazard for Truck Accidents
Like many roadways in the Philadelphia area, the “Blue Route” was built for far fewer cars and trucks than what travels on it today. The southern section has only two lanes. Both directions have only two lanes for a nine-mile stretch. The two-lane roadway means that there is frequent congestion, and truck drivers must slow down in a short amount of time.
Further, many of the merges have tight ramps, giving truck drivers only a short distance to successfully enter the lane. Finally, the Blue Route is often under construction, and the work zones are hazardous.
When Someone Can Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident
The general legal principle at work in a truck accident case is that the negligent party is the one that owes you compensation. “Negligence” means that someone did something that would be considered unreasonable under the circumstances, and it caused your injury.
Negligence can mean several things in a truck accident case. For example, it can mean that the driver did something careless behind the wheel, or that the trucking company or another third party took shortcuts that injured you or a loved one.
Potentially Responsible Parties for a Truck Accident
More than one party may share responsibility for a truck crash on the Blue Route. Possible defendants include:
- The truck driver, for speeding, distraction, fatigue, or following too closely in stop-and-go traffic.
- The trucking company, for unsafe schedules, poor hiring, or failure to maintain its fleet.
- The shipper or loading company, if improperly secured cargo shifted or spilled.
- A maintenance shop that performed faulty brake or tire repairs.
- The manufacturer of a defective truck or part.
- A construction contractor, if a poorly managed work zone contributed to the crash.
- Another motorist who cut off the truck or caused a chain reaction.
Claims against PennDOT for dangerous road conditions are possible but face strict notice rules and damage limits under Pennsylvania law.
How to Learn Who Was Negligent in a Truck Accident Case
Learning who was negligent in a truck accident usually requires more evidence than a car crash. Investigators and lawyers review:
- The police report and witness statements
- Electronic logging device data showing the driver’s hours on the road
- The truck’s event data recorder, which tracks speed and braking
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Driver hiring, training, and drug testing files
- Cargo loading records
Trucking companies control much of this evidence and may not keep it long. A “preservation letter” sent soon after the crash puts the company on notice to save these records. Destroying them afterward can lead to court penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
What if more than one entity was responsible for the truck accident?
Each can be held responsible and ordered to pay part of your damages. Under Pennsylvania law, joint and several liability applies only to defendants who are 60% or more at fault.
When should I hire a truck accident lawyer?
Because truck accident cases always require an extensive investigation, you should hire a lawyer as soon as possible after the crash, so they can work to preserve all evidence.
How long will my truck accident case take?
Truck accident cases are typically more complex than most motor vehicle accident claims, so you can expect your case to take a considerable amount of time.
Hurt in a Commercial Vehicle Crash? Speak to Our Experienced Delaware County Truck Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC
If you are trying to figure out who was to blame for your crash and how to recover compensation, hire our Delaware County truck accident lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC. For a free consultation, call us today at 215-569-8488 or submit our online form. We have offices in Philadelphia and Abington, Pennsylvania, as well as Haddonfield, New Jersey, and Wilmington, Delaware. We proudly serve clients in the surrounding areas.