Rear-end collisions are common accidents that can range from a fender-bender to a fatality. However, rear-end accidents involving large trucks can significantly increase the risk factor to motorists like you. Given the extra force involved, these avoidable accidents can turn your life upside down. A Pennsylvania rear-end collision truck accident lawyer can help you get justice when you have been the victim of a truck driver’s negligence.
Munley Law knows how much damage and injury a large truck can cause when it rear-ends you. We are also aware of how intimidating it can be to go up against a trucking company to recover your losses. That is why we fiercely advocate for you so you have someone on your side who can protect your rights and interests and secure a fair outcome. An experienced Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer amplifies your voice and does not back down.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Why Choose Our PA Truck Accident Attorneys?
Munley Law is an experienced team of attorneys who have been helping clients for more than 65 years. We know how to get to the heart of the case and identify the at-fault party and hold them accountable for injuring you. Our Pennsylvania rear-end collisions truck accident lawyers are skilled negotiators who know how to communicate effectively and secure maximum results.
When you choose us, we provide you with the exceptional service you deserve. We take the time to understand your situation and what you need so we can better tailor our approach to your circumstances and fight for you. We guide you through the process, prepare you for what to expect, and provide support as we protect your rights.
No Fee Unless We Win
Munley Law does not collect any legal fees unless we win your case. This means that you are able to retain the legal services you need when you need them the most. Furthermore, you never pay us directly because we deduct the cost of our services from your settlement or verdict. This fee structure is designed to eliminate additional financial stress and provide peace of mind that you have an advocate during a difficult time.
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Truck Rear-End Collisions Are Capable Of Causing Severe Injuries
Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of collisions on the road. According to the National Safety Council, rear-end crashes accounted for 1,477,000 (36.6%) injuries and 3,300 deaths (17%) during the most recently reported year. These numbers highlight the damage caused by these collisions. However, when a rear-end collision occurs with a truck that weighs about 80,000 pounds, it can cause severe injuries, which may include:
- Whiplash
- Lacerations, broken bones, and soft tissue damage
- Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
- Neck and chest injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Abdominal and internal injuries
- Neurological damage
- Crushing injuries
- Paralysis
- Disability
Given the force of impact in a rear-end collision with a truck, it is vital to receive medical attention after an accident. The body sustains more trauma in smaller, lightweight vehicles, so a doctor should conduct a thorough examination and treatment of your injuries. Some injuries may not be noticeable right away and may require tests to assess their extent fully. You and medical professionals should closely monitor all injuries as you are healing, so any negative changes can be quickly detected.
Dangerous Factors that Contribute To Rear-end Collisions
Rear-end collisions involving trucks are often the result of a few key causes. Distractions and fatigue pull a truck driver’s attention away from the road or compromise their ability to remain alert and react to hazards. Speeding is even riskier for semi-trucks to engage in, given their increased weight and longer braking times. The time needed to stop also increases when drivers do not account for road or weather conditions. Inexperience can also pose serious risks.
In addition to these factors, some accidents are caused by more indirect causes. If a truck experiences equipment failure because it has been poorly serviced or inspected, or has defective parts, it can prevent the truck from stopping and avoiding an accident. Overloaded or imbalanced cargo can also make it harder for a truck to stop, especially if the driver is unaware and cannot compensate for it properly.
To determine which of these factors contributed to the accident that injured you, a Pennsylvania rear-end truck collision attorney can investigate all the details of the accident. They will gather and review all the evidence gathered at the scene, documented in the police report, caught on camera, and documented in your medical results, to determine the cause and who contributed to the collision.
Pennsylvania Roads With an Increased Risk Of Rear-end Collisions
Throughout Pennsylvania, there are many roads that are prone to elevated risks of accidents. High volume, uneven traffic flow, low visibility, and weather conditions in these areas make rear-end accidents more likely to occur. Some common dangerous Pennsylvania roads include:
- Interstate 83: High traffic volume along this route and around major cities can cause uneven traffic flow and congestion that can make a rear-end accident more likely. This mountainous stretch of highway can also contribute to this type of accident during inclement weather.
- Interstate 78: This route sees an exceptionally high number of crashes every year. Weather and heavy traffic are a couple of the significant dangers along this interstate. This stretch also has high fatality rates.
- Interstate 80: A popular corridor for tractor-trailers, accidents along this interstate often involve large trucks. All drivers must remain alert on this road because quick reaction times are necessary to avoid rear-ending another vehicle and getting in an accident.
- Interstate 95: This highway is also known for heightened truck traffic. Traffic tends to be chaotic on this stretch, and the unpredictability of other drivers can increase the risk of a rear-end accident.
Just because these are some of the state’s most dangerous roads, it does not mean they are the only places where these accidents occur. Rear-end collisions can happen in a variety of settings, and no place is immune. From highways to parking lots, drivers must remain alert at all times to avoid a crash.
“Since 1959, we have secured over $1 billion in
compensation for our clients.”
Daniel W. Munley
Negligent Parties Can Be Held Liable for Causing a Rear-end Collision
Determining who was at fault in a rear-end truck accident case can quickly turn into a he said, she said situation. It can be difficult at times to determine the exact cause of the accident, but qualified Pennsylvania rear-end collisions truck accident attorneys can investigate the various factors and details involved in the accident. They can also help you hold the appropriate party accountable for their actions.
While the party at fault may be the driver of a large truck, they are not always exclusively liable. Trucking companies could be considered negligent if they failed to properly and adequately train their drivers. Cargo loaders could be held responsible for overloading a truck and adding extra weight that makes it harder for the truck driver to stop. Mechanics and manufacturers could also be at fault for negligent production or maintenance of brakes and other parts.
To hold any one of these parties accountable, their liability must be thoroughly and unequivocally established in the case. Accompanied by evidence, this is accomplished by showing four key elements about the crash:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party was obligated to use caution when coming to a stop, remaining alert to you and their surroundings, and making accommodations for the weight of their load or external factors. They have a duty to promote safety and prevent harm from coming to you.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party acted in direct opposition to the duty they owed you. This could look like speeding, being distracted, and not noticing that you were stopped, or failing to brake soon enough to compensate for heavier loads or slippery roads.
- Causation: The at-fault party’s actions are the reason the accident happened, which in turn is why you suffered injuries and losses.
- Damages: The at-fault party is liable for paying for your medical expenses, vehicle damage, and other applicable losses.
This process is legally required to resolve a rear-end collision case. The burden of proof is on you, as the injured victim, to supply evidence of the other party’s negligence. Once negligence has been demonstrated, compensation decisions and distributions can begin. Your lawyer will work with you to make sure you have sufficient evidence, and they will customize their strategy when building your case.
How Liability Is Determined When the Front Car Is Partially At Fault
While the truck in the rear position is most often the cause of a rear-end collision, sometimes the vehicle in front can be at fault for an accident. This occurs when a vehicle brakes too quickly, does not accelerate fast enough, or changes lanes without signaling. The driver in these situations can be held partially at fault.
If you are found to have contributed to the accident in some way, you should be sure to talk with your lawyer. They can work to minimize your liability so you can still recover compensation for your losses. Like most states, Pennsylvania uses modified comparative negligence, which allows individuals to partially recover their losses despite contributing to the accident.
This law states that any party who is less than 50% at fault may recover compensation, and any party over 50% may not recover compensation at all. For those entitled to damages, a settlement or verdict will be reduced by the percentage of fault they were assigned to represent their contribution. For example, if the maximum settlement amount was $300,000 but the fault percentage was 20%, then only $240,000 would be recoverable.
Recover Compensation and Begin To Rebuild Your Life
Rear-end accidents with semi-trucks can range in severity, which means the cost of your medical care and the extent of your losses vary, too. Coming back from these expenses and setbacks can be difficult, which is why compensation is very important after you have been injured in a collision. Because these accidents are a result of negligence, the party who hurt you must provide damages that cover losses that include a tailored combination of the following:
- Medical expenses, including ongoing or permanent care
- Medical equipment, medications, rehabilitation, and assistive accommodations or technologies
- Loss of income or earning capacity due to injuries or disabilities
- Property damage repairs or replacements
- End-of-life medical care, funeral, and burial expenses in a fatal crash
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Psychological distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Decreased quality of life
- Inability to enjoy or engage in activities you did before the accident
- Loss of companionship, consortium, or services
When determining how much a rear-end truck accident settlement is worth, it is important to know that it can vary from case to case. Damages are based on the severity and extent of your injuries and losses, insurance or damage caps, and liability. To gain a clear picture of what you may be able to recover, your lawyer will calculate your financial losses, as well as those caused by suffering. With this value in mind, they will skillfully negotiate with applicable parties to secure maximum compensation in your case.
The Statute Of Limitations In a Rear-end Collision Case
After a rear-end collision, you will need to act quickly to file your claim. Pennsylvania imposes a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury cases. This means that any attempt to file a claim after this time expires will be barred from recovery. It takes time to find a lawyer and build a case, so pursue legal action as soon as possible to make sure that you do not miss out on compensation you are entitled to receive.
Hire Munley Law To Fight for You
Munley Law provides compassionate support during this difficult time. Our team is committed to providing you with excellent service, trusted counsel, and experienced representation at every stage of your case. We work diligently to optimize your case for the highest settlement or verdict possible. To learn about your options and hold the at-fault party accountable, contact us today to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Daniel W. Munley
Daniel W. Munley is an award-winning personal-injury attorney and champion of plaintiffs’ rights. For decades he’s won multi-million verdicts and settlements and is recognized as a national leader in truck and rideshare litigation,including a record $26 million truck settlement in Northeastern Pennsylvania and a $20 million recovery in 2024 for life-altering commercial-vehicle injuries.
