Long-Haul Freight Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania
Interstate dry-van and reefer carriers on 500-mile-plus runs.
Crashes inside the long-haul freight segment sit in a specific federal-regulation corridor. Below, browse the accident mechanisms that recur most often in Pennsylvania and see the largest Pennsylvania-registered carriers in our FMCSA index.
Common accident types in Pennsylvania long-haul freight
- Rear-End CollisionTruck strikes the vehicle ahead — typically linked to following distance, speed, or fatigue.
- JackknifeTrailer swings out of alignment with the tractor, often from hard braking on slick roads.
- RolloverTruck overturns — high center of gravity, sharp turn, or cargo shift are common causes.
- Head-On CollisionTruck crosses the centerline into oncoming traffic — often fatigue, impairment, or mechanical failure.
- UnderridePassenger vehicle slides beneath the trailer — deadly when rear or side underride guards fail.
- T-Bone / IntersectionBroadside collision at an intersection, typically red-light, yield, or turning violations.
- Side-SwipeTruck sideswipes adjacent lane — lane departure, blind spot, or improper lane change.
- Lost CargoUnsecured load falls onto roadway, causing secondary collisions. Governed by 49 CFR 393.100.
- Blind SpotTruck collides with vehicle in its no-zone — commonly right-side or directly behind.
- Wide TurnTractor-trailer swings wide on a right turn and crushes a vehicle or pedestrian in the adjacent lane.
- Pedestrian HitTruck strikes a pedestrian — disproportionately in urban delivery and parking-lot scenarios.
- Motorcycle CollisionTruck-motorcycle impact, typically at low speed or during lane change — often catastrophic for the rider.
- Brake FailureMechanical brake failure — maintenance violations under 49 CFR 393.40 are frequently cited.
- Tire BlowoutCatastrophic tire failure causing loss of control, under-inflation and over-weight are common contributors.
- Driver FatigueHours-of-service (49 CFR 395) violations and drowsy-driving crashes.
Largest Pennsylvania carriers in our index
- PENSKE TRUCK RENTAL38,075 power units
- ASPLUNDH TREE EXPERT LLC8,115 power units
- PENSKE LOGISTICS6,237 power units
- EVANS DELIVERY COMPANY INC5,445 power units
- AMERIGAS - PTI - PROPANE TRANSPORT INTERNATIONAL - AMERIGAS PROPANE EXCHANGE4,831 power units
- BIMBO BAKERIES USA INC4,513 power units
- KRISE TRANSPORTATION INC2,285 power units
- A DUIE PYLE INC2,097 power units
- HENKELS & MCCOY1,725 power units
- STROEHMANN LINE-HAUL L P1,720 power units
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. SafeData (Nodal Logics Inc.) is a legal marketing service, not a law firm. Carrier-segment assignment above is based on state registration only; fleet-by-fleet industry classification is a Phase B data addition. Content is educational only and not legal advice.