Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer

When you are the victim of a truck accident in Philadelphia, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your damages. Philadelphia truck accident lawyers work hard to provide injured accident victims with the aid and resources they need to heal from their injuries and the hardships created by a truck collision. If you engage our law firm we will:
  • Investigate the accident thoroughly to get relevant evidence for review, such as driver logs; load manifests, truck electronic data recorder logs, truck maintenance records, or dispatch documents.
  •  Engage with accident reconstruction and transportation industry specialists to evaluate the facts and develop a solid, persuasive case to establish how the accident occurred and which parties were at fault.
  • Determine the relevant responsible corporate entities and identify sources of compensation, such as insurance plans.
  • Construct your claim package and seek to negotiate a settlement that compensates you fairly and fully for your injuries.
  • Pursue all legal options to get the best possible outcome in your case, including taking your claim to court or trial if required.
We understand that standing up against insurance companies to receive the compensation and justice you deserve after an accident might appear to be a challenging endeavor to take on on your own.

Common causes of truck accidents in Philadelphia

Many truck accidents are caused by truck drivers' and trucking firms' irresponsible or reckless behavior or decision-making. Nevertheless, trucking is a dynamic, high-stress sector, leading to certain people engaging in risky or unethical behavior. Some of the most prevalent causes of truck accidents are:
  • Fatigue or drowsy driving
A driver’s number of hours behind the wheel is governed by state and federal legislation. Drivers who exceed these limitations or work long hours and days and do not get enough rest on the road might get exhausted or sleepy, reducing their safety behind the wheel and putting them in danger of falling asleep.
  • Traffic code violations
Exceeding the speed limit, reckless passing, making hazardous lane changes, and failing to stop are all legal offenses that truck drivers can commit.
  • Distracted driving
While behind the wheel, truck drivers must balance several demands on their focus. Consequently, drivers may divert attention to distractions such as smartphones or food or drink.
  • Unsafe cargo loads
If a truck's freight is imbalanced, unsecured, or permitted to move during transit, a truck driver may have difficulties managing their vehicle or possibly lose control of the truck.
  • Intoxicated driving
Drivers may opt to use alcohol or drugs to help them deal with lengthy drives or overcome weariness. Sadly, driving while intoxicated can impair a driver's sight and response time.
  • Inadequate truck maintenance
Truck drivers and transportation companies are expected to examine vehicles regularly and perform essential and manufacturer-recommended maintenance. The failure to do so increases the likelihood of a truck experiencing a mechanical malfunction on the road.
  • Vehicle defects
Likewise, design or manufacturing flaws can cause mechanical breakdowns in vehicles, resulting in an accident. As a result of commercial truck accidents, a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can help negotiate with the insurance company to assist you in obtaining compensation for your losses or taking the matter to trial if necessary.

What effect do winter weather conditions have on trucking accidents?

Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer

Winter weather conditions can cause semi-truck accidents leading to devastating injuries. There may be issues such as wind, ice, and snow that may make truck driving even more dangerous. The negligence of the truck driver can cause enormous damage in case of collisions.

According to federal regulations, truck drivers need to be very cautious. They must avoid driving in extreme winter conditions. Winter storms are usually accompanied by snow, ice, sleet, and hail. There may be ice accumulating on the roads making them slippery. 

It makes it difficult for truck drivers to control the vehicle causing Philadelphia auto accidents. Winter conditions also cause zero visibility and can cause various types of deadly collisions including head-on, roll-over, broadside, and other crashes.

What injuries you may experience after a Philadelphia truck accident

Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries or even death in extreme cases. Therefore, it is vital to file a lawsuit to help you recover the hefty medical bills and other expenses. Some of the common injuries are:
  • Spinal cord damage;
  • Traumatic brain injury;
  • Soft tissue damage;
  • Broken bones;
  • Burns;
  • Lost limbs;
  • Back and neck injury;
  • Wrongful death.
A truck wreck may turn your life upside down and change your way of life forever. Therefore, you must seek medical attention immediately after sustaining any minor or major injuries.

How common are Philadelphia truck accidents?

In 2020, the total number of crashes caused due to light trucks, SUVs, and vans were 52,911 and due to heavy trucks were 5,344.

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in 2019 the number of traffic crashes that were recorded due to commercial trucks was nearly 7000. These numbers show that accidents due to trucks account for 5.6% of accidents. There were 122 fatal truck accidents causing injury or death to 2,921 people. 

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), more than 500,000 truck accidents are caused by blind spots every year.

Federal Regulations for trucks

According to Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, truck drivers must perform a complete inspection before every departure of the truck. The inspection is to help in checking whether the brakes are in good condition and the vehicle safe. Federal trucking laws suggest that truck owners must properly repair and maintain the trucks frequently. 

When the brakes fail for any of the big-rig, flatbed, or tractor-trailers, it will result in catastrophic injuries. In overloaded trucks, the truck driver must consider all the factors including stopping distance and speed. Some of the other dangers of overloaded trucks are tire blowouts which can also cause jackknife accidents. Therefore, truck drivers must focus on the maintenance of the trucks regularly. 

Truck drivers must ensure that large trucks weighing 80,000 pounds are within legal limits of the cargo they are transporting. The transporters must first check their truck weight and then load cargo appropriately.

Types of Philadelphia Commercial truck accident cases

No matter how simple or complex the facts of your accident appear to be, you may be entitled to reimbursement. The following are some of the most prevalent truck accident instances we handle:
  • Fatal Truck Accidents;
  • Unsecured Cargo Truck Accidents;
  • Dump Truck Accidents;
  • 18-Wheeler Accidents;
  • Garbage Truck Accidents;
  • Overloaded Truck Accidents;
  • Tractor Trailer Accidents;
  • Fracking Truck Accidents;
  • Tanker Truck Accidents;
  • Jackknife Truck Accidents.
Commercial trucks cause devastating accidents which may lead to life-threatening injuries and fatalities. An experienced 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer may prove to be of great help in your case.

Who can be held liable for a truck accident?

It is vital to note that a truck collision might be caused by factors other than the truck driver's negligence. Other parties who may be held liable in a truck accident include 
  • Truck's owner;
  • Vehicle's mechanic;
  • Cargo company;
  • Even the truck's manufacturer or a part manufacturer. 
Local government and contractors can also be held responsible for the collisions if the road and highway design are not proper or if the road is badly maintained. Trucking companies can also be blamed for the accidents.

Damages that are available after a truck accident in Philadelphia

Having a Philadelphia truck accident attorney on your side can help you in recovering  for your losses, including:
  •     Medical costs;
  •     Physical Rehabilitation;
  •     Long-term care for those with lifelong disabilities;
  •     Loss of future earning capacity;
  •     Expenses for repairing or replacing your car or other damaged items;
  •     Physical discomfort as well as mental suffering;
  •     Deformity, scars, or physical limitations that make it challenging to do your normal activities
However, trucking firms and their insurers will often delay or reject accident victims' claims to minimize blame for inflicting injuries in a truck accident.

Consult with a Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer to discuss the next steps

If you or a family member has been involved in a collision with a large truck recently, you might be able to file an insurance claim or lawsuit for personal injuries. You should contact experienced truck accident attorneys.

A truck collision can result in life-changing injuries. Schedule a free case evaluation to grasp more about your fundamental rights and alternatives for obtaining monetary compensation and justice for your injuries.

Philadelphia Truck Accident FAQ’s

1. How long can you file a claim after a big-rig accident?

After a truck accident, it may take months to recover. It is essential to file a lawsuit as Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations for truck cases. An injured victim has 2 years to file a claim for seeking compensation. If you do not file within this time, you will lose your chance to obtain reimbursement.

There are some exceptions for minors and government agencies. The minor may wait until age 18 to file the claim. When filing against a government entity, you must file a notice within 6 months.

2. How can truck drivers navigate the roads safely?

The truck driver must take care that if the truck is fully loaded, it must maintain twice the distance from another vehicle to stop the truck. They must take care of blind spots. If the vehicle is larger, the turning radius is wider. As the truck drivers may not be able to see all the vehicles, you must move to the left side of the truck when passing and pass quickly.

3. If the truck driver who caused the accident was charged with DUI, can you still file a lawsuit?

Yes, you can file a personal injury claim which is a civil claim. However, DUI comes under criminal charges where the driver will be presented in criminal court. Personal injury lawsuits are filed irrespective of whether the driver was arrested or convicted of any criminal charges.

4. If your spouse died in a truck wreck, can you still obtain compensation?

Yes, it will come under wrongful death as your spouse died due to the negligence of someone else. According to Pennsylvania law, you can apply for the recovery of the losses by filing a wrongful death claim. You can file a claim if you are a deceased spouse, minor child, or adult child dependent financially on the deceased, or deceased parents. 

The damages awarded in a wrongful death lawsuit include burial, funeral charges, pain and suffering, loss of future income, loss of consortium, and punitive damages in case of extreme negligence.

5. Does hiring a lawyer mean that your case will be on trial?

The short answer is no. Most injury cases are settled out of court. Settlement happens when both parties come to a common agreement. Although if you choose to hire our firm, truck accident lawyers will always be there to assist you at every step and will also negotiate with the parties on your behalf.