If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor trailer crash, you need an experienced Allentown tractor trailer accident lawyer to ensure that you hold the driver and tractor trailer company responsible and receive adequate compensation for the serious injuries you may have sustained. Contact Munley Law for a free consultation. Our Allentown trucking accident attorneys have been helping victims of tractor trailer accidents for 65 years. There is no fee until we win your case.
Why Choose Munley Law for Truck Accidents
Munley is the only law firm in the United States with two lawyers who have served as chair of the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group–Daniel Munley (2011-2012) and Marion Munley (2018), the first woman to lead this group. Three of our attorney’s are both board-certified in Trucking Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, the only law firm in Pennsylvania that has that recognition.
Our Allentown law firm is known for its deep experience in handling all manner of truck accident law and closing cases with high settlement figures. They speak frequently on issues at conferences and seminars across the country, and are consistently ranked among the Top Lawyers in America and have earned AV-Preeminent designations and Platinum-Level Client Champion ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
Injuries from a Trucking Accident in Allentown
Due to the sheer size and weight of massive tractor trailers, the consequences of a tractor trailer accident can be deadly. Even a semi accident, involving the massive truck that pulls the trailer, can cause significant damage and personal injury to vehicle occupants in the smaller vehicle. Among common injuries from trucking accidents are:
- traumatic brain injuries
- spinal cord injuries
- broken bones
- loss of limbs
- lacerations
- internal organ damage
- disfigurement
- burns
- wrongful death
Even in cases where there are no fatalities, motorists are often injured for life, remaining permanently disabled. In cases where full recovery is possible, injuries sustained from an Allentown truck accident, it can take years to recover from the experience.
Common Causes of Tractor Trailer Crashes in Allentown, PA
In 2021, tractor trailers were involved in nearly 530 accidents in the Lehigh Valley, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. While it may seem like driver error at the time of the collision, the main cause of truck crashes often sit at the end of a long string of events contributing to the accident. An experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer can help to piece together exactly what happened at the time of the truck crash to determine how it happened, who is accountable for any injury or fatalities, and take the case to trial for judgment.
Truck Driver Fatigue
A truck driver is limited in the number of hours that they are legally allowed by the federal motor carrier safety administration to be behind the wheel before taking a break to sleep; however, sometimes a driver will exceed those hours, falling victim to truck driver fatigue that can contribute to an truck crashes taking place. In addition, sometimes due to the nature of their work, a driver will develop sleep apnea, a disorder that can get in the way of a good night sleep and create tiredness during the day.
Distracted Driving
With the increasing amount of media available to us on smartphones, a driver might succumb to the temptation to distract themselves from their long hours of driving. Common distractions include texting, social media, phone calls, and even watching sports or TV shows while driving. A trained Allentown truck accident lawyer can help to determine whether or not distraction played a role in the truck accident taking place.
Transportation Company Hiring and Training Practices
Many things can go wrong during the hiring process, resulting in a driver who should not be behind the wheel of a massive 18-wheeler. A company might fail to do a background check, hire a truck driver with an expired license, or be negligent in training employees properly on how to drive safely. A good Allentown injury attorney can follow the paper trail in employment records to determine how much this played a role in the crash.
Trucking Companies Negligence in Accidents
In addition to poor hiring practices, a trucking company might also fail in performing their proper diligence when it comes to maintaining their fleet of tractor trailers in working order, failing to enforce their own safety practices, or perhaps putting pressure on drivers to work longer hours than they are legally allowed to work. All of these negligent practice can lead to an increase in vehicle accidents.
Mechanical Failures
In a related cause, lack of tractor-trailer maintenance can lead to a mechanical failure that cause the vehicle to malfunction and the operator to lose control. Among common mechanical issues are tire blowouts, brake failure, and electrical problems. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation determined that the largest number of truck accidents in Pennsylvania were caused by tire or wheel-related failures, accounting for 38 percent of equipment-related crashes. Following that were brake-related failures accounting for 27 percent of accidents, steering failures accounting for 16 percent, and all other defect-related accidents accounting for 18 percent.
Reckless Driving Practices
Finally, truck accidents can be caused by recklessness on the part of the driver, including driving over the speed limit, failing to use proper signals, or ignoring weather conditions such as rain, snow, or ice on the road, that could cause a trucker to lose control. Sometimes, accidents are also caused by a truck driver who is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Allentown truck accident attorneys can help to determine whether any of these reckless behaviors contributed to the crash.
Determining Liability in Allentown Truck Accident Cases
Just as many factors can contribute to an accident, many parties might ultimately be held responsible for the accident taking place. A driver might be liable for a truck accident, but so too might other actors.
Responsible parties who might be named as a defendant in a tractor-trailer accident case include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Parent company of the trucking company
- Manufacturer of faulty parts
- Third party maintenance and service company
- Driver(s) and owner(s) of other motor vehicles involved in the crash
- Automobile insurance companies
An expert Allentown truck accident attorney will carefully look at the specific facts in a case to determine who is most at fault as well as who could be held liable in a personal injury case, in order to obtain maximum compensation for the injuries you have received.
Trucking Regulations and Truck Accidents
Trucking regulations play a big role in truck accidents across Allentown. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration sets rules that trucking companies must follow to keep roads safe. These include limits on hours, regular truck checks, and cargo loading standards. Violations can lead to serious accidents, like the 2023 American Parkway Bridge collision that killed a young motorist. Our team investigates trucking regulations to find fault, whether it’s a tired trucker or a poorly maintained rig. Victims deserve justice when companies ignore safety regulations, causing property damage or worse. We’ve seen cases where trucking industry shortcuts result in lawsuits, and we hold them accountable. Contact us to review your case and see how regulations affect your rights.
Dealing with Insurance After an 18-wheeler Semi Truck Crash
Dealing with insurers after an 18-wheeler semi truck crash can feel overwhelming. These companies often push back against claims, leaving victims with unpaid bills and property damage. In Allentown, where truck accidents clog highways like I-78, trucking companies rely on tough policies to limit payouts. Our team knows how to handle these firms, ensuring they pay what’s fair. We’ve seen truck accident victims lose recovery chances when insurers delay or deny claims. From gathering testimony to proving fault, we fight for your rights against policies set by big companies . Whether it’s a jackknife or rollover, we tackle the insurance company head-on. Reach out today to discuss your claim and get the support you need.
Handling the Trucking Company Insurance Policies
Handling policies after a truck accident takes skill. Insurance companies often try to cut corners, leaving me with unpaid bills and property damage from an 18-wheeler crash. In Allentown, trucking companies use tough insurance policies to dodge responsibility, but then our lawyer steps in. We push back against unfair denials, proving fault with testimony and scene details. Truck accident victims like me need recovery support, not delays. Our team fights for fair payouts, whether it’s a semi truck jackknife or a rollover on the highway. We’ve turned tough insurance battles into wins, securing justice for clients. Call us to tackle your truck accident lawsuit and get what’s owed without the hassle.
Compensation for a Truck Accident Case
While the most obvious loss incurred by the victim are the medical expenses associated with personal injuries, our attorneys will consider many possible types of damages to achieve maximum compensation from the responsible party or parties.
These damages might include compensation for:
- Medical treatment, both past and future
- Rehabilitation
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Lost wages
- Household services
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Upon hiring an experienced Allentown personal injury lawyer, we ensure you receive appropriate medical attention and record all medical bills and other fees and expenses associated with your truck accident.
In addition, our attorneys will conduct a comprehensive assessment to determine the more intangible damages that inevitably occur with someone who with substantial personal injuries from a truck accident, including pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Calculating Damages & Settlement For Trucking Accidents
Calculating damages and settlement for trucking accidents requires a close look at every loss. After an Allentown crash, victims face medical bills, property damage, and lost income from a semi truck or 18-wheeler incident. We dig into the scene and trucking company records to prove what’s owed. We’ve secured settlements, like $26 million, by showing how collisions ruin lives. Insurance companies often resist, but we fight for victims to get fair payouts. From therapy costs to wrecked cars, we cover it all in your truck accident lawsuit. Trucking companies may dodge accountability, but our experts ensure justice. Contact us to review your rights and start your recovery today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tractor Trailer Accidents in Allentown
What If I Am Responsible in Part For the Truck Accident Too?
Truck accidents are complicated, and sometimes involve shared liability, in which both the truck operator and the motorist vehicle share in the blame for the accident. That does not mean that you are not entitled for compensation for your injuries, however.
Pennsylvania employs a modified comparative negligence law, which means that so long as you are less than 51 percent at fault for a tractor-trailer truck or semi truck accident, you are still entitled to compensation for damages you sustain. Our experienced Allentown truck accident lawyers can help to determine comparative fault for an accident, and argue your case in even the event that you are partly responsible for the accident.
It is important to note, however, that a plaintiff’s award in a case will be proportional to the percent that they are at fault for the truck accident occurring. Therefore, it is essential to hire truck accident attorneys who are able to assign the highest amount of liability to the truck drivers or trucking companies involved in order to achieve maximum compensation.
What Do Truck Accident Lawyers Do
Pennsylvania has a two-year statute of limitations on bringing an claim from the date of accident. For that reason, it is vital that an Allentown truck accident lawyer act fast to investigate the crash thoroughly and gather enough information to bring a personal injury lawsuit in a court of law.
An investigation may include many different areas of inquiry, including:
- the accident scene
- the truck
- the vehicles “black box”
- truck driver’s cell phone(s)
- your vehicle
- trucker log books
- transportation company records
Our experienced truck accident lawyers know that trucker’s and trucking companies must comply with many different state and federal laws and regulations. These extensive statutes govern all aspects of truck drivers’ work, including
- Drivers, who must be tested for alcohol and drugs on a regular basis, cannot text while driving, and comply with other rules to ensure they operate their tractor trailers properly
- Equipment, which must be maintained and regularly inspected to make sure that all parts of the tractor-trailers are operating properly, including brakes, tail lights, and cargo latches
- Cargo, which must be safely loaded, stowed, and secured to ensure that it does not shift during driving, causing trucks operator to lose control
An Allentown truck accident lawyer can use all of these laws and regulations to bring a personal injury lawsuit against a trucking company for a truck crash or other accident.
In addition, our trained Allentown truck accident attorneys will seek out the opinions of experts, eye-witnesses, and re-constructionists to develop as complete a picture of the specific circumstances of the accident as possible.
Our decades of experience in this complicated legal area ensures that we have experienced truck accident experts in the country working on your behalf. These experts might include those with extensive knowledge of the trucking industry, engineering, accident reconstruction, life care planning, economics, and medicine.
All of this investigation is devoted towards one purpose: gathering as much favorable evidence as possible to ensure that you will be able to win your truck accident case and obtain the maximum compensation you deserve.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire Truck Accident Attorneys?
Our attorneys operate on a contingent fee basis. That means that you don’t pay anything out of pocket. We pay all costs upfront, including investigation expenses and medical bills for personal injuries. If we don’t win a case, then we earn nothing and you pay nothing.
When we are successful in a personal injury lawsuit, then we collect our fees and costs out of the award paid by the responsible party in the case. That means you can afford to hire experienced trailer truck accident lawyers in the country, who will fight to earn you maximum compensation in your lawsuit.
Call an Allentown Tractor Trailer Accident Lawyer Now
Our experienced staff of truck accident lawyers offers services in Allentown and the surrounding area. It is essential that you don’t delay in starting the process to recover damages for your truck accident case. Call, chat, or fill out our online form today.
Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys
609 Hamilton St
Allentown, PA 18101
(610) 857-7424
