When a tractor trailer collides with a passenger vehicle or another truck on a highway in Allentown, you need an Allentown truck accident lawyer to protect your rights and get you the justice you deserve. An Allentown truck accident attorney at Munley Law will hold the responsible party accountable and recover compensation for you and your family.
For a free accident consultation with our Allentown truck accident attorney, fill out our contact form, chat live, or call today. We only collect a fee if we win your case.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Product Liability
$9 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$8 Million Truck Accident
$7.5 Million Auto Accident
$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident
$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury
$5 Million Medical Malpractice
$5 Million Bus Accidents
The Role of An Allentown Truck Accident Attorney
Allentown truck accident attorneys can help you with your case by gathering evidence, discovering who is at fault, negotiating with the trucking company and insurance carriers, and representing you in court. As the injured accident victim, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and the economic burden you now face as a result of your accident. However, without an experienced personal injury lawyer, you stand little chance of getting the compensation you need, which can lead to severe consequences.
The truck driver and trucking company will have a legal accident team working with their insurance company to offer the lowest accident settlement possible or find ways to push the blame onto you. This is where a highly skilled Allentown accident lawyer at Munley Law can make all the difference.
Our award-winning team can help you recover damages for your:
- Medical bills and/or Medical expenses
- Physical injuries
- Physical therapy and long-term care
- Lost wages
- Diminished quality of life
- Lost future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering from tractor trailer accidents
We will handle all the phone calls with the insurance company and the paperwork so you can recover from your injuries without worry.
What Sets Munley Law Apart From Other Truck Accident Lawyers in Allentown?
Our special focus on commercial truck and tractor trailer accident litigation sets us apart from other truck accident lawyers in Allentown. While most personal injury lawyers handle motor vehicle accidents, few have the knowledge, experience, or resources to take on a complex, heavily defended accident case. We are the only law firm in Pennsylvania with three attorneys certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Representing drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and injured truckers, the very experienced truck accident lawyers here at Munley Law have spent decades building a national reputation for our impressive settlements and trial victories in truck cases. We will never settle for less than you deserve and fight for you in court if the trucking company refuses to compromise.
The Common Types of Truck Accidents in Allentown, PA
The common types of truck accidents in Allentown, PA, are tire blowouts, rear-end collisions, head-on truck crashes, jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, and underride truck accidents. The majority of these accidents can result in serious injuries, such as brain injuries, internal bleeding, spinal cord injuries, and even death.
The most common types of truck crashes our law firm handles include:
- Truck tire blowouts – A tire blowout on a truck may be more catastrophic than on a car, especially when the tractor trailer is barreling down I-78. Trailer tires are thicker with a narrower tread width. When a truck tire blowout does occur, it can cause the driver to lose control of a big rig, especially at a high rate of speed.
- Rear-end truck accident – An 80,000-pound truck speeding down a Lehigh Valley highway takes quite some distance to come to a complete stop. The results can be catastrophic when a semi truck rear-ends a passenger vehicle.
- Head-on truck crash—Reckless, distracted, or drowsy driving can cause a driver to veer across lanes of traffic and hit another vehicle head-on. Head-on truck collisions are usually the number one cause of fatal truck accidents.
- Jackknife accident—Tractor-trailer jackknife accidents are common and often result in a multi-vehicle pileup, with sometimes other trucks involved. A jackknife can occur when the driver brakes but the trailer doesn’t stop. The trailer then swings around at a perpendicular angle, blocking lanes of traffic. This may result from unsafe speed, an overloaded trailer, or brake failure.
- Rollover big rig accident -Excessive speed, sharp turns, steep inclines or declines, or striking an object can cause a truck to roll over. This can quickly occur if the truck’s cargo is not secure or the trailer has been overloaded. If the truck tips onto a passenger vehicle, the results can be fatal for vehicle occupants.
- Underride truck accident—When a driver behind a large semi truck hits the rear or side of a tractor trailer, the vehicle can be driven beneath the trailer. This type of big rig accident can result in severe injuries to the driver and occupants of the car that ended up underneath the truck in the accident.
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, contact our experienced truck accident lawyer in Allentown. Our law firm will help you with your truck accident lawsuit and get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
Responsible Parties In an Allentown Tractor Trailer Wreck
Multiple parties may be responsible for your Allentown tractor trailer wreck, including the truck driver, trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, or shipping company. Unlike a car accident, where there’s usually only one or two parties responsible, you may be able to file a personal injury lawsuit against multiple parties.
Some of the most common parties responsible include:
- The truck driver
- The owner of the vehicle
- The trucking company
- Maintenance company or mechanic
- Commercial vehicle inspector
- Loading company or person who loaded the truck
- The vehicle manufacturer or parts manufacturer
Our truck accident law firm will identify and prove the cause of your accident. Establishing liability is critical in a truck accident case in Allentown. Munley Law has the ability and resources to conduct a detailed investigation of the crash to determine who was at fault. We are prepared to move quickly to preserve critical evidence.
What Causes Truck Accidents in the Lehigh Valley?
Negligence on the part of the trucker or trucking company is the cause of truck accidents in the Lehigh Valley. To determine the cause of the truck crash, the truck accident attorneys at Munley Law will conduct a thorough investigation to hold all negligent parties responsible.
Some of the common causes of tractor trailer accidents include:
- Aggressive driving – When driving an 80,000 lb vehicle, drivers must be responsible. However, since truckers are in a hurry to meet deadlines, aggressive driving tactics may occur. Speeding, unsafe lane changes, tailgating, failure to check blind spots, and other unsafe driving practices can all lead to a devastating truck wreck.
- Distracted driving—Long hours of looking at the same scenery can take a toll. Many drivers are easily distracted. Talking on cell phones, texting, eating and drinking, or any activity that requires taking your eyes off the road while driving for any reason is considered a distraction.
- Truck driver fatigue – Federal regulations govern truck drivers’ hours of service and rest rules to combat deadly wrecks caused by driver fatigue. Not all drivers or trucking companies follow these laws. If the driver and/or trucking company violated the federally required “hours of service” rules, they must be held accountable.
- Driving under the influence – The use of alcohol or other controlled substances by any driver, let alone those who drive for a living, is unacceptable. Many truck drivers take illegal substances to stay awake for long hours at a time, but this can cause problems with their reaction time.
- Inexperienced or improperly trained driver – Truck drivers must have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate a commercial truck. The driver must have the required license and adequate training on the vehicle. Some trucking companies may have negligent hiring practices or inadequate training programs, which can lead to truck crashes.
- Lack of proper truck inspections and maintenance – Trucking companies must perform regular maintenance and inspection of their vehicles to ensure they remain in good working order. A trucking or maintenance company may be liable when the inspections are not performed correctly, and a truck crash occurs.
- Overweight or improperly secured cargo – Overloading a truck or not balancing the cargo can significantly impact a driver’s ability to maneuver the vehicle properly.
- Failure to comply with federal trucking regulations – The driver must log their on-duty and non-drive times to ensure compliance with the rules. Trucking companies must also keep various logs and follow all trucking regulations. When an accident occurs because of a violation, these records are vital in learning what happened before the accident and how long the truck was on the road. Failure to comply with these regulations or log their hours can result in the truck driver or trucking company being liable for your injuries.
Whether you are a truck driver, a car driver or passenger, a pedestrian, motorcyclist, or the family member of someone killed in a crash, we welcome your inquiries. We understand this difficult time and will help in any way we can. During our free initial consultation call, we will answer any questions you may have and explain your legal rights. If you let us represent you, we will get to work immediately. Our team of Allentown personal injury lawyers and compassionate staff will guide you through the legal process and keep you informed.
What to Do Following a Truck Crash in the Lehigh Valley
While you are at the scene of an Allentown truck accident, be sure to follow these steps:
- Remain calm and remain in your vehicle if it is safe. Turn on your hazard lights.
- Call 911, even if your injuries seem minor. Pennsylvania law requires you to report a truck accident to the police.
- If possible, get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved and witnesses. In addition, write down the names and badge numbers of any police officers at the scene so you can contact them later to get the police report.
- Take photographs and videos of your vehicle, the truck, and the accident scene. Getting photos of the injuries sustained in the crash is also helpful.
- Do not admit fault and leave the accident scene until the police say it’s ok.
- Do not discuss the wreck with anyone except the police or your insurance agent; you are not required to state the other driver’s insurance company.
- Seek medical treatment as soon as possible after any vehicle accidents. Even if you don’t think you sustained any injuries, getting medical attention after any accident is essential. Injuries often do not present themselves until hours or days after the crash.
What Should I Do in the Days Following an Allentown Trucking Accident?
In the days following a trucking accident, you should do the following:
- Get a copy of the police accident report for your crash. You will need to make sure that all the information is correct.
- Get a valuation of the property damage from your insurance company.
- Keep track of all doctor’s visits and treatment you receive, and keep a journal of any symptoms or pain you experience after your accident. Get copies of all test results, medication prescriptions, treatments, and other relevant medical information.
- Keep a detailed list of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur due to the accident. This includes travel expenses, doctor visits, medical equipment or prescriptions not covered by your insurance, and rental car costs to help our accident attorneys with your case.
- Record days of missed work or other activities/events
Remember, never accept a settlement offer from an insurance carrier unless you have consulted with a truck collision lawyer first.
What Should I Do If the Trucking Company Calls Me?
If the trucking company calls you, keep your comments brief and stick only to the facts of the case. Do not agree to make a recorded statement to the trucking company or their insurance carrier until you speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. Also, refrain from signing any forms sent to you by the trucking company and their insurance carrier before talking to a lawyer. Instead, call Munley Law today for a free consultation, and an attorney will review any paperwork you receive.
Statute of Limitations for Truck Accidents in Allentown
In most accident cases in Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations (or how long you have to bring your case) is two years from the accident date. However, don’t wait to file your accident case. The best time to contact a personal injury attorney is as soon as possible following an accident.
In some cases, essential evidence regarding vehicle safety standards and driver logs can quickly be destroyed. Your lawyer and legal team should get to work as soon as possible.
Call for a Free Consultation With an Experienced Allentown Truck Accident Lawyer
If you or a family member suffered a catastrophic injury in a commercial trucking accident, call Munley Law Personal today for a free accident consultation. At Munley Law, we do not collect a fee (a portion of the settlement or verdict) unless we win your case. You will owe us nothing up-front or out of your pocket. Contact us today for a free consultation. Chat live, message, fill out our contact form, or call today to be a client of the best law firm.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
609 Hamilton St
Allentown, PA 18101
(610) 857-7424