The Hammel Family, including Robert, Kenneth, and Charles III, founded Pitt Ohio, in 1978, and began operating the business the following year. Charles L Hammel III now manages the company without his brothers. Pitt Ohio employs over 3000 workers, including 1793 drivers running 1287 trucks. In the early 80s, the company opened a second terminal in Cleveland Ohio, followed by additional terminals in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, New Jersey, West Virginia, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. Today, the company offers LTL (less than load) services, ground service, and other expedited delivery services.

During the first decade of the new millennium, the company joined Lakeville Motor Express, creating the Reliance Network, a coalition of various trucking companies that provide freight services throughout North America. These companies include Averitt, Peninsula Truck Lines, Lakeville Motor Express, Mountain Valley Express, Canadian Freightways, Kingsway Transport, and Pitt Ohio.

In 2018, Pitt Ohio Transportation Group generated a gross annual revenue of $556 million. The company does not transport hazardous materials.

The Pitt Ohio Transportation Group is primarily a Truckload (LT) carrier, meaning the company delivers one truckload containing similar, products, goods, and materials to multiple locations. This type of trucking is opposite an LTL (less than truckload) carrier with a mixed freight.

Common Causes of a Large Commercial Truck Accident

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that truck accidents n the United States often involve:

• Aggressive Behavior – Aggressive movement, including traveling at excessive speeds or reckless driving, could result in severe injuries of the wrongful death of innocent victims.
• Distracted Driving – Trucker should avoid the trappings of driving over an extended time, like talking on their mobile device or sending text messages, which could lead to distracted driving.
• Driving Under the Influence – Taking drugs or consuming too much alcohol and operating a motor vehicle can create a dangerous scenario for everyone sharing the road.
• Drowsy Driving – Maintaining tight schedules often means the trucker must drive for hours on end, which can lead to fatigue and drowsy driving.
• Insufficient Training – Truck drivers with inadequate training can cause catastrophic accidents due to their inexperience with defensive driving, safety concerns, and maneuvering techniques.
• Unrealistic Expectations and Schedules – Many truck companies encourage their truckers to hurry to ensure that the loads are delivered on time, often at the expense of safety.

Often, commercial truck drivers involved in accidents will be cited for their erratic movements, failure to ensure the adequate distance between vehicles, or driving distracted while talking on the phone. In these cases, attorneys working on behalf of their clients can obtain monetary recovery because they were able to prove to the claim’s adjuster or jury that the trucker and trucking company failed to maintain a safe environment for everyone on the road.