When you have been involved in a truck accident, you need a Pennsylvania 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the trucking companies and their legal teams on your behalf. We do not back down from a challenge when representing you, and we demand that opposing parties treat you fairly. Our qualified and empathetic lawyers secure you the results you need.
For more than 65 years, Munley Law has been helping clients get results that improve their quality of life and well-being. Injuries from an 18-wheeler can leave you in a vulnerable position, and our team protects your rights and fortifies you against opposing parties who would seek to take advantage of you. A Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer will be your compassionate advocate and provide you with excellent service throughout your case.
$32 Million Wrongful Death
$26 Million Truck Accident
$20 Million Commercial Vehicle Accident
$17.5 Million Car Accident
$12 Million Work Injury
$11 Million Truck Accident
$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
Why Choose Munley Law for Your 18-Wheeler Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Cases involving 18-wheelers present unique challenges that require specialized legal expertise. Munley Law knows what it takes to identify the liable party and hold them accountable. Our legal team brings deep expertise to truck and 18-wheeler accident litigation, with three attorneys holding board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) in the field of truck accident law. We have recovered billions in settlements and verdicts for our clients, building a distinguished track record in this specialized field.
With years of experience communicating and negotiating with the trucking industry, our firm knows the language to use and how to anticipate tactics that trucking companies may use to avoid taking responsibility for the accident. This insider knowledge helps us level the playing field and fight effectively for the compensation you deserve.
Our team conducts thorough investigations while developing personalized strategies based on your unique circumstances, ensuring your case is optimized for the best possible outcome.
Here Is What Our Clients Have to Say
| “I got into a serious accident with a tractor trailer two years ago, one that took me out of commission for months. The trucking company was fighting my case, saying I was the one who caused the accident. Luckily, I had Dan Munley at my side. He got me the money to help pay the medical bills and much more. He really pulled through for me and my family and I am eternally grateful to him.” – Trucking Accident Client |
| “Bob Munley helped me at the worst time of my life. After my accident, I thought I would never recover. But Bob Munley was with me every step of the way. Not only did he get me what I needed, but he made sure I understood what was happening with my case.” – A Trucking Accident client |
You Have the Right to be Compensated for Your Losses After an Accident
When you have suffered extensive injuries and losses from a collision with an 18-wheeler, recovering compensation is a top priority. Medical services are expensive, and the bills can snowball quickly. You have the right to take legal action against the party who hurt you and seek compensation from them. You have likely suffered a variety of losses, and damages are designed to help you recover as many of them as possible. These may include:
- A wide array of medical expenses, including rehabilitation, equipment, accommodations, and medications
- Property damage costs
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses for fatalities
- Lost or reduced inheritance
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Psychological distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
Your expenses, pain, and suffering damages will be calculated differently and reflect the value and severity of each of your losses. In general, Pennsylvania does not impose caps on the amount of damages you may recover. However, accidents that involve government trucks may not exceed $500,000, according to Pennsylvania Statute 42 §8553. To understand the value of your case and what you can recover, be sure to talk with your lawyer right away.
The Statute of Limitations on Recovering Compensation in Pennsylvania
Swift action is key after you have been in an accident. Not only does the strength of your case decrease over time, but you only have two years under the statute of limitations to file a claim before forfeiting your right to action. To protect your right to recover compensation, it is essential to hire a lawyer very soon after your accident to start building your case.
Speak with a Pennsylvania 18-wheeler accident lawyer near me.
18-Wheeler Collisions Are the Result of Many Factors
According to the most recent Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics report, there were a total of 6,685 crashes and 138 fatalities in collisions with trucks. These accidents primarily occurred on state and interstate highways. Accidents like these can be the result of many different factors, some of which may be external and some of which are due to human error. The most common causes of Pennsylvania truck accidents include:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Mechanical defects
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Improper training
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Road conditions and reduced visibility
- Weather conditions
- Insufficient maintenance
In addition to these causes, a truck’s no zones can be a considerable contributing factor in collisions. Because 18-wheelers are so large, their blind spots are a lot larger, and it can be easy for them to miss vehicles within these areas. In general, a truck’s no zones extend approximately 20 feet from the front bumper, from the driver’s door to halfway down the trailer, the length of the truck on the passenger side, and a few car lengths to the rear.
Severe Injuries in an 18-Wheeler Collision
While the outcome of a truck accident can vary, more often than not, these types of collisions tend to be more severe. This is due to the size and weight of a truck compared to a car. Smaller vehicles are more lightweight, and therefore, they can be crushed more easily or pushed forward or backward more forcefully, depending on the direction of impact. Vehicles can also get caught in a truck’s underride area. These collisions can lead to the following injuries:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck and chest injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Internal bleeding and damage
- Paralysis
- Disability and disfigurement
- Burns
- Death
Seek medical attention right away after an 18-wheeler accident. A quick response can mean the difference between life and death after an accident. Even if your injuries are minor, it is still important to be looked at by a medical professional since not all injuries may show up right away. A thorough assessment of your injuries will be needed by the insurance company and your lawyer, so be sure to keep all results, records, and medical bills.
Common Parties That Can Be Held Liable in a Pennsylvania 18-Wheeler Accident
Liability for an 18-wheeler accident is multi-layered and can involve many different parties. While some may play more of a direct role than others, all can be held accountable for contributing to an accident. Trucking accidents often require a thorough investigation to get to the root of who caused the accident. Below is a closer look at the different parties who can be held liable in a truck accident.
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers are often liable for accidents either through carelessness or human error. They may disregard the rules of the road, speed, fail to follow hours of service regulations, or fail to take extra steps to check their blind spots. When drivers engage in these types of actions, they can be held liable for contributing to an accident.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining and enforcing compliance with federal and state trucking regulations. When they deviate from these laws, they can indirectly contribute to the accident. Common examples of trucking company liability include hiring unqualified drivers and placing unrealistic expectations and time constraints on drivers. These actions endanger others by putting inexperienced or fatigued drivers on the road.
Mechanics and Maintenance Staff
Trucks travel millions of miles and sustain a considerable amount of wear and tear on their vehicles. Mechanical parts and worn tires must be replaced more often to keep up with the demands of the road. When 18-wheeler trucks do not receive regular or proper maintenance, or are serviced by negligent technicians, mechanics can be held accountable for failing to confirm the safety of the truck, its driver, and other motorists by extension.
Cargo Loaders
Trucks such as 18-wheelers are subject to restrictions on how much weight they can carry. According to Pennsylvania weight regulations, single axle trucks are limited to 22,400 lbs, and tandem axles are limited to 38,000 lbs. The distribution of weight is also essential to keeping the truck balanced. When cargo loaders do not pay enough attention, they could overload a truck or balance it improperly, which could cause the truck to overturn and injure other motorists.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be held responsible when they put defective parts on the market. A flaw could exist in the design of the truck part itself, or it could have occurred during production. If the issues occur and are not checked or properly tested, then they could be purchased and placed in trucks. Trucks themselves could also have a defect in their design. These kinds of problems increase the risk that a driver may lose control of their truck and collide with other vehicles.
Investigating and Establishing Liability in an 18-Wheeler Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Because there are multiple parties that can contribute to an 18-wheeler accident, these types of cases can be complicated and time-consuming. Pennsylvania 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys know the challenges and unique legal considerations that are associated with these cases, which is why hiring a lawyer at Munley Law is essential.
A lawyer will conduct in-depth investigations into the accident to determine what factors were at play. They will also closely evaluate the various parties mentioned above to discover what role they each may have had in the accident and whether or not they were liable. Once they have obtained this information and gathered evidence, they will build your case and establish the negligence of all applicable parties involved. This includes the four components below.
Duty
The party at fault was reasonably expected to fulfill their job with care and caution to promote the safety of others. For example, truck drivers are responsible for obeying traffic and trucking laws, trucking companies must take care that drivers are not overworked, mechanics and manufacturers should verify that parts function properly, and cargo loaders are responsible for adhering to weight limits and load balance.
Breach
Whether through carelessness or intention, the at-fault party failed to act in alignment with their respective duties. A driver may speed, a trucking company may issue unrealistic deadlines, mechanics and manufacturers may not run important safety checks, and cargo loaders may load too much weight onto the truck or a particular axle. These actions increase the risk of an accident and harm to others.
Cause
Causation is the lynchpin of liability in a truck accident case. This is where a lawyer illustrates that actions, like the ones mentioned above, directly caused or contributed to the accident and your injuries. This cause and effect fully establishes the at-fault party’s negligence and their liability for the collision.
Damages
As a liable party, the person or entity who caused the accident must compensate you for what you have lost. This can include both your monetary losses and the pain and suffering you have experienced. The amount the at-fault party must pay will be dependent on a number of factors, and an experienced lawyer can provide insight into the value of a settlement.
Partial Fault Can Impact Your Ability to Recover Losses After a Truck Accident
As you can see, multiple parties could be at fault in an accident and held liable. However, there may also be times when you are found to be partially liable. When this happens, your first move should be to hire an experienced Pennsylvania 18-wheeler truck accident attorney who knows how to handle these matters and minimize your liability. Additionally, just because you may have contributed to the accident, it does not necessarily mean that you cannot still recover your losses.
In these situations, Pennsylvania operates on a modified comparative negligence system. What this means is that any party who is found to be less than 50% at fault for an accident can recover compensation that has been proportionately reduced, while those who are more than 50% at fault cannot recover anything. For example, if the maximum value of your settlement was $150,000 and you were 20% at fault, then you could only recover $120,000.
Munley Law Secures the Results on Your Behalf
When you entrust your case to Munley Law, you can be confident that you are in good hands. An 18-wheeler accident can wreak havoc on your life, but our team fights to make sure that you are empowered to move forward again. We stand up to the trucking company for you and equip you with the resources you need to recover your losses. To learn more about how we can serve you, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our firm.
