Keep Highways Safe Identifies The 25 Most Dangerous Trucking Companies In Pennsylvania

JENKINTOWN, Pa. - March 30, 2017 - PRLog -- In the United States, about 1 in 10 highway deaths occurs in a crash involving a large truck. According to data recently collected from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Pennsylvania drivers are far from immune to collisions involving big commercial vehicles.

"Because of their massive sizes and heavy weights, they are more likely to cause serious damage and even death," stated attorney and Keep Highways Safe founder, Jay Solnick. "Wrecks particularly involving semis are more common than you think, and our goal of this report is to remind people of this, so they can be more cautious behind the wheel. Vigilance is critical."

From 2015 to 2017, KHS's research shows that there were 381 fatalities and 7,728 injuries in Pennsylvania involving commercial trucks. The vast majority of primary factors in heavy truck vehicle failure crashes were related to tires and wheels, brakes, and unsecured or overloaded trailers, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation.  According to KHS, 64 percent of the trucking companies on the list ranked in the top 25 for not only the highest number of injuries but also for fatalities.

"In more cases than not, human error and failure to fully comply with FMCSA guidelines and regulations lead to deadly consequences on America's roadways," stated Solnick. "The truth is most large truck accidents can easily be avoided by commercial drivers practicing good judgment and following federal rules. Fortunately, most drivers do the right thing and are responsible, but there are a few bad apples in every profession."

According to FMCSA, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) leads the way in the number of traffic-related injuries occurring in "The Keystone State." Over a two-year period, accidents involving the company resulted in 478 injuries. FedEx Ground Package System Inc. follows in second with 114 traffic-related injuries. New Prime Inc. comes in third with 104 traffic-related injuries. Twenty-three other companies were involved in 65 accidents or less over a two-year period.

Top 25 Most Dangerous Truck Companies in PA, sorted by # of injuries
Company Name  Fatalities  Injuries
SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SEPTA  4  478
FEDEX GROUND PACKAGE SYSTEM INC  5  114
NEW PRIME INC  3  104
FIRST STUDENT INC  0  65
OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE INC  3  64
BBT LOGISTICS INC  3  59
SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CO OF ARIZONA LLC  3  58
UNITED PARCEL SERVICE INC  3  58
U S FREIGHTWAYS LOGISTICS INC  3  53
TOTAL TRANSPORTATION OF MISSISSIPPI LLC  3  49
TRANSERVICE LOGISTICS INC  3  49
A-1 LIMOUSINE INC  3  48
LONE STAR TRANSPORTATION LLC  3  48
GALEN S SPICKLER INC  3  48
LANDES TRUCKING INC  3  48
DEDICATED LOGISTICS INC  3  48
JP & SONS TRUCKING CORP  3  48
DURHAM SCHOOL SERVICES LP  0  47
BRIGHTBILL TRANSPORTATION INC  0  47
STA OF PENNSYLVANIA INC  1  35
WASTE MANAGEMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA INC  1  33
PENSKE TRUCK LEASING CO LP  0  32
US XPRESS INC  0  32
PHILLY TRANSPORTATION LLC  1  30
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA  0  30

    Top 25 Most Dangerous Truck Companies in PA, sorted by # of fatalities
Rank  Company Name  Fatalities  Injuries
1  FEDEX GROUND PACKAGE SYSTEM INC  5  114
2  CLJ TRUCKING INC*  5  2
3  SOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY SEPTA  4  478
4  XPO LOGISTICS FREIGHT INC  4  26
5  GREATWIDE DEDICATED TRANSPORT I LLC  4  15
6  VERIZON PENNSYLVANIA INC  3  4
7  LONE STAR TRANSPORTATION LLC  3  48
8  GALEN S SPICKLER INC  3  48
9  TOTAL TRANSPORTATION OF MISSISSIPPI LLC  3  49
10  SWIFT TRANSPORTATION CO OF ARIZONA LLC  3  58
11  NEW PRIME INC  3  104
12  UNITED PARCEL SERVICE INC  3  58
13  HERCULES FORWARDING INCORPORATED  3  3
14  GABLER TRUCKING INC  3  2
15  A-1 LIMOUSINE INC  3  48
16  OLD DOMINION FREIGHT LINE INC  3  64
17  LANDES TRUCKING INC  3  48
18  DEDICATED LOGISTICS INC  3  48
19  GILBERT DEAN HARRIS  3  1
20  BBT LOGISTICS INC  3  59
21  TRANSERVICE LOGISTICS INC  3  49
22  ACADEMY EXPRESS LLC  3  15
23  HECKMANN WATER RESOURCES CVR INC  3  11
24  U S FREIGHTWAYS LOGISTICS INC  3  53
25  JP & SONS TRUCKING CORP  3  48

Both FedEx Ground Package System Inc. and CLJ Trucking Inc. tied for having the highest number of traffic fatalities at 5 each over a two-year period. SEPTA, XPO Logistics Freight Inc., and Greatwide Dedicated Transport I LLC came in third with four fatalities over a two-year period. The remaining 23 companies had three or fewer fatalities over a two-year period.

For every 100 million miles driven on U.S. road ways, there are 2.3 deaths and 60.5 injuries caused by big rigs. Fatal tractor-trailer accidents cost taxpayers more than $20 billion each year, $13.1 billion of which is the cost associated with loss of quality of life.

Surprisingly, despite being involved in hundreds of crashes across the United States, some trucking companies remain in operation. Take Swift Transportation, for example. On KHS, it ranks in the top ten. Over a two-year-period, the trucking company has been responsible for three fatalities and 58 injuries in the state. Most recently, the company was involved in a separate fatal wreck in Ohio in February. Troopers stated that the semi's speed was a possible factor. Nationwide, Swift Transportation has been involved in more than 650 crashes (http://wdtn.com/2017/02/14/semi-truck-company-involved-in...). Sixty-five of those were fatal. A Safety Measurement System report (https://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/query.asp) also revealed the company has roughly 40,000 inspections and 31 percent included violations.

"These numbers are completely unacceptable. Trucking companies with repeated violations should be shut down for good. I urge lawmakers to develop legislation that will close loopholes in our system which gives companies like Swift Transportation opportunity after opportunity to jeopardize the safety of drivers all over the country," stated Solnick.

To learn more about Keep Highways Safe, visit www.keephighwayssafe.org.

ABOUT KEEP HIGHWAYS SAFE: Keep Highways Safe is on a missionto serve as a resource for information for drivers and victims of roadway accidents. We are a team of dedicated attorneys with experience litigating a variety of cases and claims in the state and federal courts of southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Contact us today at: (215) 481-9979.