All motor vehicle accidents can cause serious injuries. But large, multi-axle semi’s or trucks possess increased hazards.
The 2004 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data states that 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the United States. Of those, 4,862 were involved in fatal crashes. A total of 5,190 people died. That’s 12% of all the traffic fatalities reported in 2004 and an additional 116,000 were injured in those crashes.
One major cause of Pennsylvania truck accidents is drowsy drivers. Drivers of large trucks often drive well-beyond the state and federal trucking regulations (regulations say no more than 11 hours on and 10 hours off), resulting in dangerous conditions.
Any injury you may obtain in a motor vehicle accident may be multiplied by adding a large truck. From supposed simple sprains, fractures and abrasions; to burn injuries and tissue damage; to potentially deadly brain and spinal cord injuries, a truck injury is a serious matter.