Pittsburgh Personal Injury Blog

A motorcyclist could become involved in an accident on the road for a number of reasons. Negligent drivers are particularly concerning, as well as drivers who are distracted or do not pay attention to the road carefully. During the summertime, extreme heat is another potential concern that can lead to a motorcycle accident. When a motorcyclist suffers from heat-related fatigue, they may be more likely to become involved in a collision that claims their life or results in a devastating injury. If you are planning on riding a motorcycle during very hot weather, it is important to be vigilant and watch out for signs that you are suffering from heat exhaustion.

There are different ways in which extreme heat can cause a motorcycle crash. For example, it may make a motorcyclist pass out and fall off of their motorcycle or have difficulty concentrating and focusing on the road, leading to a crash. Motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to some of the effects of extreme weather, as opposed to those who are riding in a car with air conditioning and protection from the sun. Some motorcyclists may continue to ride even though they are suffering from fatigue, which can be especially dangerous.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration keeps track of a wide variety of statistics pertaining to large truck crashes.

The latest numbers from 2015 remind us that as motorists, we share the road with big rigs and that it is wise to remain alert around them and respect their size and power.

Large truck crashes sometimes happen because of truck driver fatigue due to working too many hours or not getting enough sleep at night, the use of alcohol behind the wheel, distractions such as cell phones, and countless other reasons. However, prescription medication can be especially problematic, and many truck crashes have been caused by a truck driver’s prescription use, whether or not they are following their physician’s recommendations. People take many different drugs for various reasons, but prescriptions can adversely affect a person’s ability to drive safe.

Whether someone takes a prescription to relieve pain, help with anxiety, or even takes an over-the-counter drug to help with allergies, these medications can affect driving abilities. A truck driver may become drowsy or even intoxicated by prescription drug use, which interferes with their ability to follow traffic safety laws. Sadly, many of these accidents have led to the loss of life and even more have left victims with devastating injuries. Emotional pain and financial challenges are also problems that many victims have had to struggle with.

Many people face risks associated with driving on a daily basis, but some people are especially likely to be involved in an accident at some point, such as those whose job responsibilities revolve around driving. For example, someone who drives a taxi, a large truck, a delivery truck, or a vehicle for any other work-related purpose likely spends a lot of time behind the wheel. Sometimes, these drivers are hit by the recklessness of others, such as those who are drunk. In other instances, they may cause an accident as well. For example, delivery truck drivers may be very tired after working for an extended period of time.

If you were hit by a delivery truck, you could be in an especially difficult position, depending on how fast the truck was moving. Moreover, minor accidents also occur far too often and often take place because of how difficult it can be to drive a delivery truck in a tight space, or a truck driver’s lack of experience. However, even relatively minor accidents can cause serious damage and leave victims with injuries that bring turmoil into their lives, such as missing work.