Many motorists idrive alongside logging trucks as if it’s no big deal, while others cannot help but extremely cautions every time a logging truck appears on their radar. The latter group of motorists are those who have seen gruesome YouTube videos showing poorly secured logs coming loose and slamming into other vehicles’ windshields.
Yes, many of us have seen those horrible truck accidents involving logging trucks on videos, while others witnessed these crashes on Pennsylvania’s roadways and highways.
Logging trucks are a common sight on our roads and freeways, as they haul millions of loads of logs from point A to point B. Most of us expect drivers of logging trucks to take all precautions when operating this truck (after all, a logging truck is no ordinary vehicle, since it is carrying tons of logs, which are not always properly loaded or secured).
“Unfortunately, however, some logging truck drivers and trucking companies fail to take these precautions, which is why many of these trucks are poorly maintained, overloaded, operated by unqualified and incompetent drivers, or transport improperly loaded or secured logs,” warns our truck accident lawyer Daniel S. Doyle at Dan Doyle Law Group. In fact, many logging trucking companies do not carry adequate insurance coverage, which makes it nearly impossible to seek compensation for all your damages and losses.
Although causes of motor vehicle accidents involving logging trucks vary from one case to another, the most common cause of these crashes is negligent loading and securing of logs.
Loading and securing logs is not the same as loading and securing containers and boxes, as logs are rarely identical in their size and weight. Therefore, the company or individual responsible for loading and securing of logs must ensure that the logs do not roll, shift, fall, or come loose when transporting them and performing different types of maneuvers such as slowing down, turning, backing, and others.
Improper loading and securing of logs can also lead to a rollover accident, because these logs can cause the logging truck to tip over when they become unbalanced.
But negligent loading and securing of logs is not the only possible cause of accidents involving logging trucks. Our experienced logging truck accident attorney in Philadelphia says that other common causes include:
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) imposes many rules and requirements for truck drivers operating logging trucks as well as their trucking companies. A large number of these rules are dedicated to securing and loading of logs.
For example, the rules imposed by the FMCSA prohibit trucking companies and truck drivers from carrying logs that exceed specific size, weight, or length requirements. These logs must also be properly secured with tie-downs, load stabilization bunks, and other tools and equipment.
If you have been in a logging truck accident, you may want to speak to a skilled personal injury attorney to determine fault and establish which party was responsible for supervising and inspecting the logs. You may also need a lawyer if your logging truck accident had nothing to do with the logs and was the result of the trucker’s failure to obey traffic rules.
Contact Dan Doyle Law Group to schedule a free consultation and determine liability today.
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