Pittsburgh Food Truck Accidents

Food trucks have been gaining popularity for several years now. Some of Pittsburgh’s most beloved trucks serve along East Carson Street, but there are many others. Most of us love the idea of walking outside the office building, and ordering a delicious meal right there on the street. However, there are downsides to the influx of food trucks in Pittsburgh, as they have been linked to serious accidents, some leading to serious injuries or fatalities.

Learn more about the dangers of food trucks and how they cause accidents. If you’ve been injured in a food truck collision, call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 412-391-9860 to set up a consultation now.

Operators May Not Be Trained Commercial Drivers

While food truck operators may be required to have a CDL to drive a food truck, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily experienced commercial drivers. Navigating a bulky food truck through different cities and suburbs requires an entirely different set of skills than driving a personal vehicle. Because of this, accidents are more likely, particularly among newer truck owners who are still learning.

Navigating Busy Streets

You’re not likely to find a food truck on wide-open rural roads where there are no customers to be found. No, they peruse busy suburban and urban regions where hungry people congregate. These areas are also notoriously difficult to drive and park in, particularly if you’re in a large food truck. Food truck operators are at risk of hitting pedestrians crossing the street, running into parked cars as they attempt to park, or rear-ending vehicles in busy city traffic.

The risk is even greater when you realize that food trucks don’t tend to operate in just one neighborhood or city. They often travel to multiple cities within one region in order to expand their potential customer base, participate in food truck events, or do catering. Constantly driving in new or unfamiliar areas also increases the likelihood of a collision.

Difficulty Maneuvering Bulky Vehicle

If you’ve ever seen a food truck, you know that they can be massive. They have huge blind spots that make it very difficult to drive in traffic, as drivers struggle to know whether or not there is a vehicle in one of their several blind spots. Furthermore, large vehicles like food trucks need much more time to stop. A new driver may attempt to drive the same way they do in their passenger vehicle, only to realize that their food truck needs at least twice as much time to come to a full stop.

Add to this the fact that many food truck owners are building their business from the bottom up. They may save money by purchasing used food trucks that might be bumpier and clunkier than newer models. All of this combined means that the vehicles themselves are just more difficult to drive, a fact that definitely increases the chances of a collision.

Use of Heavy or Dangerous Cooking Equipment

Something unique about food trucks is the sheer amount of hazardous equipment they travel with. They’re fitted with fryers, stovetops, and other kitchen gadgets needed for quick service. These tools rely on a variety of chemicals and fuels to keep going. Furthermore, the use of hot frying oil is in itself a hazard.

When a food truck is involved in an accident, frying oil can easily cause a fire. If this spreads, it could actually cause an explosion. In this way, a minor food truck accident could quickly become a multi-car accident that causes hundreds of thousands of dollars in bodily injury and property damage.

Food trucks make a wide variety of food available to busy professionals and families, but they do present a higher risk of accidents and injuries. If you get hurt in a food truck collision, it’s important to explore your options for compensation right away. Depending on the details of your case, you could be entitled to substantial compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Get the Representation You Deserve with Caroselli, Beachler, and Coleman

The team at Caroselli, Beachler, and Coleman is focused on helping accident victims get the compensation they deserve after accidents. If a food truck collision has left you injured and unsure of what to do next, let us help. Call us at 412-391-9860 or reach out online now