Rollover Truck Accidents in Harrisburg: How They Happen and How to Avoid Them

Rollover truck accidents are most likely to happen on busy highways. When a massive truck collides with a passenger vehicle, it has the potential to cause severe injuries and damages.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a rollover truck accident, seek legal help. Our Harrisburg truck accident lawyers are here to answer your questions and determine your legal options. Schedule a free consultation to speak to one of our lawyers. We are here to help.

Call to schedule a free consultation: 717-727-2500.

What Causes Rollover Truck Accidents?

Rollover truck accidents can happen for several reasons. The weather can sometimes play a significant role in why an accident occurs. For example, heavy rain can cause roads to become slippery, and if drivers do not stop in time, they could risk rear-ending another vehicle.

Other reasons may include:

Dangerous Curves and Speed

When truckers take Harrisburg’s highway curves too fast, the truck’s weight and height make rollovers more likely. An 80,000-pound truck cannot handle sharp turns like a car. The weight shifts dramatically, and once it starts tipping, it can crash into a stationary object or a vehicle.

Cargo Loading Issues

A truck’s stability depends heavily on how its cargo is loaded. Even small mistakes can have devastating consequences. Unstable weight distribution, unsecured loads, overloaded trailers and sloshing liquid cargo can destabilize trucks and cause dangerous rollovers. These loading errors, which might seem minor initially, can turn deadly when combined with other factors like sharp turns, high speeds or adverse weather conditions.

Poor Road Conditions

Harrisburg’s weather creates hazardous driving conditions that significantly increase rollover risks. Heavy rain makes I-81 and Route 322 dangerously slick, while black ice forms treacherously on the Capital Beltway during the winter months. Strong crosswinds on elevated highway sections can push against tall trucks, especially on uneven road surfaces. Other hazardous conditions include shoulder drop-offs, which can further increase the risk of a devastating rollover accident.

Driver Errors

Even experienced truckers can make critical mistakes, such as:

• Driving while fatigued, especially during long-haul routes
• Distracted driving or delayed reactions
• Overcorrecting after drifting from their lane
• Taking evasive action to avoid sudden obstacles

Equipment Failure

Mechanical problems often lead to rollovers. For example, if a truck driver’s tire blows out while driving at highway speeds, they could lose control of the vehicle. Brake failures can also contribute to an accident, especially if truck drivers are traveling on a sharp incline or decline.

Truck equipment failure may also involve:

• Steering system malfunctions
• Suspension problems that affect stability

Who Is Most at Risk in a Rollover Truck Accident?

Certain drivers face heightened risks in a rollover truck accident on Harrisburg’s highways based on their position and circumstances. Below are who may be the most vulnerable in a rollover car accident:

Passenger Vehicle Drivers Near Trucks

Drivers in smaller vehicles traveling alongside or behind large trucks are particularly at risk. When a truck begins to roll, vehicles in adjacent lanes often have nowhere to escape. Especially, smaller passengers vehicles that are more likely to get stuck underneath a large commercial truck. These dangers are especially high on narrow sections of busy highways or in heavy traffic on the Capital Beltway.

Drivers in Blind Spots

Anyone traveling in a truck’s “no-zones” or blind spots faces increased danger. If a truck starts to tip, drivers in these blind spots may not see the warning signs until too late. This risk intensifies around busy interchanges where trucks frequently change lanes.

Motorcyclists

Motorcycle riders are exceptionally vulnerable during truck rollovers. Their smaller size and limited protection make them susceptible to severe injuries if caught in a truck’s rollover path, particularly on high-speed routes.

Drivers During Peak Hours

Morning and evening rush hour traffic on Harrisburg’s highways creates conditions where drivers have less room to maneuver if a truck begins to roll. Congested areas like downtown exits and busy intersections are especially hazardous.

Emergency Response Teams

First responders rushing to accident scenes face significant risks from secondary rollovers or shifting cargo. The confined spaces on Harrisburg’s bridges and overpasses make their work dangerous.

Construction Zone Workers

Road crews working on highway improvement projects face severe risks if a truck loses control near their work zone. Limited escape routes and proximity to heavy traffic increase their vulnerability.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rollover Truck Accident?

Multiple parties can be held legally responsible in rollover truck accidents, depending on what caused the crash. Here are some of the parties that may be liable for a truck accident. In some cases, more than one party can be liable for a crash.

Truck Drivers

When drivers make dangerous decisions like speeding, taking curves too fast or driving while fatigued, they bear direct responsibility. Their choices could lead to a rollover crash.

Trucking Companies

Companies may be liable for negligent practices, including inadequate driver training and supervision. If companies have unrealistic schedules and push drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, they could endanger their drivers and increase the possibility of an accident.

Some of the other ways truck drivers may be liable are:

• Poor maintenance practices
• Improper cargo loading procedures
• Failing to follow safety regulations

Cargo Loading Teams

Workers who load cargo and distribution centers can be held responsible if improper loading causes a rollover. This includes loading company employees and independent contractors who fail to secure or balance cargo correctly.

Maintenance Providers

Mechanics and maintenance companies servicing trucks may be liable if poor repairs or missed inspections lead to equipment failure and rollovers. This includes issues with brakes, tires, suspension systems or steering components.

Parts Manufacturers

When defective truck parts cause rollovers, manufacturers can be held responsible. This might include faulty:

• Brake systems
• Steering components
• Tires
• Suspension parts

Common Injuries in a Rollover Truck Crash

Rollover truck crashes on highways can inflict minor and severe car crashes. The severity of these injuries can depend on the impact of the collision and if victims suffered from other health conditions.

Some injuries may include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries: An impact could lead to severe head trauma, from concussions to permanent brain damage.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Some victims may suffer from herniated discs, paralysis or permanent nerve damage.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Multiple broken bones like crushed limbs, complex fractures, shattered bones and rib fractures are common in rollover accidents.
• Internal Injuries: Serious internal damage like ruptured organs, internal bleeding or collapsed lungs can lead to life-altering changes.
• Severe Lacerations: Shatter glass, twisted metals and scattered cargo could lead to deep cuts and lacerations. These injuries could lead to significant blood loss, nerve damage and permanent scarring.
• Psychological Trauma: Many victims suffer from lasting emotional damages like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety about driving and depression during the recovery period.

How Can Truck Drivers and Others Avoid Rollover Accidents?

Everyone has a responsibility to keep the roads safe. Truck drivers must pay attention to safety fundamentals to reduce rollover risks. For example, they need to slow down when approaching curves. They should also monitor weather conditions and adjust their speed.

Passenger vehicles should be aware of road traffic and observe if they are in a truck driver’s blind spots. Avoid cutting off drivers and forcing them to brake early.

Truck companies are obligated to hire qualified drivers. This includes implementing thorough driving training, maintaining strict vehicle inspection schedules and creating a realistic delivery schedule.

Call Schmidt Kramer After Being Involved in a Rollover Truck Accident

Rollover truck accidents can happen in various ways, leaving crash victims with injuries and damages. Call our law firm if you or someone you know does not know what steps to take after a rollover truck accident.

Do not wait to get the legal support you need. Our staff is here to help you, so you understand the legal process.

No Upfront Fees. Call today: 717-727-2500.