The Role of Expert Witnesses in Pennsylvania Truck Accident Cases

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Truck accident cases are complex, often resulting in numerous at-fault parties, significant financial damage, and long-term consequences. The role of expert witnesses in Pennsylvania truck accident cases is critical, especially in cases where your claim is dependent on their statements. 

Trucking expert witnesses can play multiple roles in a Pennsylvania truck accident case. We explain why below. For the most detailed information, contact Munley Law to set up a free consultation with a Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer about your case.

How Do Expert Witnesses in PA Truck Accidents Help Recreate the Accident?

One of the most important roles that PA truck accident witnesses play is demonstrating what happened through expert analysis. In some situations, it can be challenging to determine who is at fault in an accident until you can visually see what occurred. Accident reconstructionists play a vital role in this process in several ways.

First, the trucking expert witness gathers all available details from the accident. This includes critical documentation of:

• Debris from the roadway, and specifically from where the accident occurred
• Black box data, from the event data record, which is present on many of today’s larger trucks
• Witness statements that describe what they saw or experienced
• Detailed information from light patterns, as well as the layout and function of intersections or roadways and how people traverse them

They use this information and other data, such as speed, road conditions, direction of movement, and the direct point of impact, to determine what must have happened to lead to the results present. In recreating the accident to this degree, expert witnesses provide insight into why the accident occurred, which often reveals who is at fault and can bolster any case or claim made against the trucking company or driver.

How Are Expert Witnesses in Pennsylvania Truck Accidents Helpful in Medically Complex Cases?

Another type of expert often involved in a comprehensive and thorough truck accident investigation is a medical expert. Medical experts, such as specialized trauma providers or surgeons, can answer questions about what happened based on the injury and the extent of the loss. However, their role is even more important in demonstrating the value of the loss from the accident in several ways. They answer questions such as:

• What type of injuries does the person have?
• What type of care do those injuries require for a person to recover?
• How long will those injuries take to heal?
• Will the person recover fully?
• What lasting impact does this accident have on their health, physical abilities, and mental health?
• What level of pain and suffering did the victim have as a result of these accidents?

As experts, they gather as much information as possible to demonstrate what occurred, but also what the impact of that accident is. Medical expert witnesses are often vital in cases where a person is facing long-term consequences, emotional trauma, and other types of extensive injury that could play a role in their future. Learn more about trucking expert witnesses in our truck accident FAQs.

What Role Do Trucking Industry Experts Play in PA Truck Accident Cases?

Another important reason to call in expert witnesses in a PA truck accident is to verify the complexities of federal and state trucking laws. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has very specific laws in place to mitigate risks faced by those sharing the road with trucks. Those laws include areas related to:

• Truck driver education, training, and licensing for various types of vehicles
• Truck driver work schedules, including hours of service limitations, required breaks, and time off
• Maintenance and upkeep on trucks, including documentation of when each type of inspection occurs and all repairs are handled
• Truck driver drug and alcohol testing programs to make sure drivers are safe on the road
• Truck driver physical requirements to make sure they are fit to be on the road
• Hazardous materials management and regulatory requirements to make sure safety for all involved
• Cargo management rules to minimize risks associated with cargo spills and loss of control over the vehicle.

Expert witnesses recognize these laws and will help to build a better grasp of what occurred, why it happened, and who is at fault. This information helps to create a comprehensive claim that is backed by evidence of fault. It often leads to determining whether the truck driver is solely responsible or if others share some of the blame.

How Does a Trucking Expert Witness Help Determine Fault?

Truck accidents are complex, often involving mistakes by more than one party. One of the ways a truck accident witness can help is to identify all the evidence and create an analysis of who is at fault. To do this, they look at all the evidence present in the accident. They gather factual statements from all parties involved. They then piece together who played a role in this incident. Examples of parties that could be responsible include:

• Truck drivers: The driver of a truck is nearly always at fault to some degree. This could be due to distraction, intoxication, and fatigue. If they operated the truck in an unsafe manner, the expert witness will demonstrate their level of fault.
• Trucking companies: Truck accident claim experts can demonstrate that trucking companies — including employers of the truck or those licensing the truck’s use — could also be at fault. This occurs when there are violations of federal or state trucking laws, poorly maintained vehicles, or evidence that they pressured drivers to operate unsafely to meet deadlines.
• Truck cargo companies: If cargo was lost on the roadway, causing an accident, or if it shifted because it was not secure, the cargo loading company could be held accountable.
• Vehicle manufacturers: In some situations, vehicle manufacturers — from the truck manufacturer to the parts manufacturer — could be responsible if the expert can show that the components of the truck were in poor condition or that they were made using inferior material. Their extensive knowledge of these details makes an expert a critical investment.
• Cities, states, and other government agencies: Truck accident experts can help to demonstrate how government agencies failed to create safe conditions. That includes maintaining roads and lighting. It may be partially the city’s fault if the roadways lacked proper markings, contributing to the accident. Because they are knowledgeable about local laws, these experts can help to maximize your right to seek compensation.

A truck accident claim expert uses all of the available information to make decisions about the injuries and losses incurred and why they happened. For victims, this type of insight enables the building of a strong case. Review our case results today to see how we have helped people like you.

What Are the Top Reasons for Using Accident Claim Experts in PA?

The use of trucking expert witnesses is very common due to the significant implications of these accidents. Both sides of the accident could seek out this type of legal guidance, using the expert’s statements to gather insight into who is at fault. Some of the key reasons your attorney may use truck expert witnesses in your case include:

• Complex accidents involving more than one party at fault. Experts break down information, gather intricate details of what happened to build a strong claim, and then stand by that information. Their science, math, and trucking industry knowledge allows them to answer the questions of who is at fault more clearly.
• Complex mechanical failures are present. If the truck failed to operate as expected, and that is what led to the accident, expect your trucking expert to seek out comprehensive insight to prove what occurred. These professionals can use manufacturer builds and engineering skills to find the faults that led to the accident.
• Determining the extent of injuries is essential. Many truck accidents result in catastrophic injuries, including those that can lead to long-term implications on a person’s ability to work and engage in life. To fairly value your claim, your attorney will use experts who can provide estimates on future medical needs, impact on quality and length of life, and to better comprehend the proper level of pain suffered.
• Enhance credibility, especially when approaching a trial. Truck accident experts can provide insight that juries and judges can rely on, as there is more evidence to demonstrate what really happened. In cases where there are significant differences in statements of what happened, this can prove vital.
• Establish a greater insight into future work implications. Trucking expert witness statements can help to get to the bottom of whether a person can go back to work, if they need vocational training to do so, and the extent of the impact on their health and well-being.

In every truck accident, evidence plays a critical role in determining who has to pay for the damages. It can also lead to compliance-related fines on the trucking company and, in some cases, the loss of the commercial truck driver’s license. For all of these reasons, it is common for a truck accident claim expert to serve as a component of the investigation.

Seek Out a PA Truck Accident Attorney to Gather Critical Details

Turn to a truck accident attorney who can help you find the truck accident experts who will help build your case. Your PA truck accident lawyer has the resources necessary to build a strong claim for you, backed by all of the evidence available. Call Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation.