What a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can do for you goes far beyond filing paperwork – it can determine whether you recover physically, financially, and legally after a devastating crash. When a commercial truck is involved, the stakes are higher, and so is the complexity of the resulting claim.
Truck accident claims often involve multiple liable parties, federal regulations, and aggressive insurance defense teams. Acting quickly with experienced legal representation from Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys can make a critical difference in preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
At Munley Law, we bring nearly seven decades of experience, a national reputation in truck accident litigation, and record-setting verdicts and settlements. Our board-certified Philadelphia truck accident trial lawyers and nationally recognized attorneys have recovered millions for injury victims.
We investigate, build, and fight on your behalf so you can focus on recovery while we pursue the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Common and Dangerous Are Truck Accidents in the US?
While many truck drivers can boast impressive safety records, the reality is that truck accidents are far more common than you may think, and their operators are often at fault for the crash. Consider some of the following national statistics according to the National Safety Council:
- There were 5,375 fatal large truck crashes in 2023, a 43% increase over the preceding decade.
- The number of people who died in large truck accidents in 2023 totaled 5,472. 70% of these deaths were occupants of other vehicles, 18% were truck drivers, and 12% were pedestrians or bicyclists.
- Large trucks (weighing over 10,000 pounds) accounted for 9% of all vehicles involved in fatal collisions.
- In 2023, 114,552 large trucks were involved in crashes that caused injury.
PennDOT’s Crash Facts and Statistics report for 2024 shows that there were 7,312 heavy truck crashes in Pennsylvania, claiming the lives of 22 victims. Most heavy truck accidents occurred on state highways. Vehicle failures remain primary factors in collisions, with tires, wheels, brakes, and overloaded or unsecured trailers contributing heavily to the crashes.
Truck crashes result in significant damage to people and property every year. Munley Law’s Philadelphia attorneys have won millions of dollars for truck accident victims. We are ready to help you seek compensation for the damages one of these tragic truck accidents may have caused you or someone you love.
What Are the Leading Causes of Truck Accidents in Philadelphia?
By their very nature, semi-trucks and tractor trailers are incredibly dangerous when negligence or recklessness on the part of the truck driver results in a collision. The sheer size and weight of these large trucks increase the likelihood of injury, especially if the vehicle struck is a typical passenger sedan or SUV.
The amount of force that is generated by 80,000 pounds traveling at seventy miles per hour, or more, can create damage that virtually guarantees injury to the passengers of a smaller, more vulnerable motor vehicle. Some of the causal factors that result in a truck accident are:
- Aggressive driving
- Speeding and ignoring reduced truck speed limits
- Driver fatigue (violations of Hours-of-Service regulations)
- Distracted driving (i.e., cell phone use)
- Impaired driving (i.e., alcohol and drug abuse)
- Failure to inspect tires and brakes
- Overloaded or unsecured trailers
Any of these factors can increase the likelihood that a semi-truck will crash into another vehicle. If any of the above were at play in your accident, it is extremely important to contact experienced truck accident attorneys to help sort through what you may be owed.
Federal regulations govern nearly every aspect of commercial trucking, and these violations can play a central role in your case. Our legal team investigates driver logs, maintenance records, and black box data to uncover exactly what went wrong.
What Happens After a Truck Accident in Philadelphia?
Due to the likelihood of injury, the first thing that will happen after a semi-truck accident is that emergency service personnel will arrive on the scene and attempt to make the area safe by blocking off or shutting down the roadway. Police and medics will attempt to treat the injured and will transport them to the hospital if necessary.
During this process, the police will begin to investigate the crash and try to determine what happened. They will interview the truck driver, other vehicle drivers, witnesses, review any highway or dash camera footage, and look at the overall damage to the vehicles.
In truck accidents that result in serious injuries, police will even download the data that is recorded in the truck’s “black box” or data recorder, which contains information on speed, brake application, and engine status. Based on their investigation, they will come to an opinion as to what happened just before and at the moment of the truck accident.
It is very important that you contact experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyers, like those at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, as soon as you are able. The quicker you get a truck accident attorney working on your case, the more quickly you may be able to recover damages you are owed.
How is Fault Determined in a Tractor Trailer Accident?
Determining fault in a truck accident is more complex than a typical car crash, because multiple parties may be responsible, including:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- A freight broker or logistics company
- Maintenance providers
- Truck or parts manufacturers
During their investigation, police will attempt to determine which driver was at fault for the crash. This is important for the police because they often issue traffic citations or criminal charges based on their findings. If the police can determine that one driver’s violation of traffic or criminal law resulted in the damage or injury that resulted from the truck accident, they will more likely than not charge that driver with the violation.
Routine traffic violations, such as improper lane changes, speeding, and following too closely, can be paid by mail or online. For more serious offenses, such as speeding through a school zone, reckless operation, or driving without a valid license, the officer will usually issue a summons requiring the driver to appear in court to explain his or her actions.
In the most serious of cases, like operating a vehicle while intoxicated by alcohol or another drug, the officers at the scene of the truck accident may actually arrest the truck driver and take him or her to jail!
Police reports may identify violations and even arrest a truck driver on the spot, but a full legal investigation goes much further. At Munley Law, we work with accident reconstruction experts and industry specialists to establish liability and hold every responsible party accountable.
What Injuries Are Common in Truck Accidents?
The likelihood of injury and significant damage goes way up due to the size of the vehicles involved. It should be no surprise then that the injuries sustained during truck accidents can be significant and life-changing, sometimes even resulting in death. Some of the more common injuries that are associated with truck accidents are:
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Neck or spinal injuries (whiplash)
- Broken ribs or other torso trauma
- Lacerations (cuts caused by glass, metal, or other crash debris)
- Broken bones
- Internal bruising or bleeding
- Wrongful death
It is easy to see how any of these injuries can be life-changing and result in lifelong medical bills that can quickly overwhelm most individuals and families.
What Financial Damages Can a Truck Accident Cause?
Truck accidents not only cost survivors and their families in the form of physical injury, but also in financial injury. The most obvious cost of a truck crash is the damage to the survivor’s motor vehicle. The cost of repairing or, more likely, replacing a car can be very high, especially after a crash with a large truck.
Additionally, hospital bills, medical devices, medication, and home healthcare can quickly consume a family’s finances and leave them in a very unstable financial situation. Add to that the lost income associated with missing or losing the ability to work, and you have a recipe for financial disaster.
Unfortunately, the recklessness of truck drivers all too often creates this type of situation for American families.
Frequently Asked Questions About Philadelphia Truck Accidents
What Should I Do at the Scene of a Truck Accident?
While you are at the scene of the wreck, be sure to: Remain calm and remain in your vehicle, if it is safe to do so
- Turn on your hazard lights
- Call 911, even if your injuries seem minor
- Seek medical attention for yourself and your passengers
- Never leave the scene of the accident
- Get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved, and any witnesses
- Write down the names and badge numbers of any police officers at the scene
- Take photographs of your vehicle, the truck, and any injuries
- Do not admit fault
- Do not discuss the wreck with anyone except the police or your own insurance agent; you are not required to give a statement to the other driver’s insurance company.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Crash?
There are multiple parties that may have liability for the damages that resulted from your semi-truck accident. These can include: the driver, the trucking company, the broker, or even the truck manufacturer. It also doesn’t have
What is a “Large Truck”?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines a large truck as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating of greater than 10,000 pounds. As you can imagine, getting into an accident with a vehicle this size can be much more disastrous than an accident with another passenger vehicle.
The size and weight of a large truck also make it harder for the driver to do basic tasks like stopping, braking, turning, and more. They have to consider more time and distance to make these moves properly, and other cars on the road need to keep this in mind as well to ensure everyone is safe on the road.
How Long Do I Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, truck accident cases often require immediate investigation, so waiting can harm your claim. Evidence such as driver logs and black box data may be lost if not preserved promptly. Speaking with an attorney early ensures deadlines are met and evidence is protected.
Why Are Truck Cases More Complicated Than Car Accidents?
Truck accidents involve federal regulations, corporate defendants, and multiple layers of liability. Unlike standard crashes, evidence may include driver logs, maintenance records, and company policies. Insurance coverage is also significantly higher, leading to more aggressive defense strategies. This complexity makes experienced legal representation essential.
How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?
The value of your case depends on factors like injury severity, medical costs, lost income, and long-term impact. Catastrophic injuries typically result in higher settlements or verdicts. Each case is unique, and a detailed evaluation is necessary. An experienced attorney can provide a realistic estimate based on similar cases.
What If the Trucking Company Denies Responsibility?
It’s common for trucking companies to deny fault or shift blame. They often have legal teams working immediately after the crash. A thorough investigation can uncover violations and establish liability. Strong evidence and expert analysis are key to overcoming these defenses.
Should I Speak to the Trucking Company’s Insurance Adjuster?
It’s best to avoid giving recorded statements without legal guidance. Insurance adjusters may try to minimize your claim or use your word against you. Even simple statements can be misinterpreted. Let your attorney handle all communication to protect your interests.
Contact Our Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers to Help You Recover Compensation
When sharing the road with large trucks, safety is key. If you find yourself in an accident with a truck, you’ll likely have severe injuries, damages, pain and suffering, and more. More than ever, you will need the experienced truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to help you recover what you deserve.
We are well-versed in truck accident law and are the only firm in Pennsylvania with three board-certified attorneys at the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Marion Munley, the current Vice President of the American Association for Justice, was the first woman to lead the organization’s Trucking Litigation Group. She and Daniel Munley are members of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys’ Board of Regents.
Going to battle with trucking companies, which have their own investigators and attorneys, is no easy feat. Make sure you have someone fighting for you.
Contact us today for a free consultation.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley is one of the nation’s most decorated and respected truck accident lawyers. Having contributed to numerous publications and spoken at numerous conferences, she has advocated for truck accident victims nationwide. Marion is Board Certified in Truck Accident Law by the NBTA and is the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 – additionally, she was named “Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers” by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Marion has assisted in several landmark truck accident settlements, including a $26 million settlement for a single mother of three who was critically injured when a tractor trailer collided with her car.
