Reading Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Reading Personal Injury Lawyer / Reading Truck Accident Lawyer

The consequences of any kind of traffic accident can be devastating, but when one vehicle is a semi truck or tractor trailer, the likelihood of severe damage increases exponentially. A fully-loaded semi truck, tractor trailer, or big rig can weigh more than 25 times more than a passenger vehicle, so if the two collide in an accident, it's likely that the smaller vehicle and its inhabitants will take on the most serious injuries. If you or a loved one has experienced a truck crash, a top-notch Reading truck accident lawyer can help you with the compensation you deserve.

You should not have to bear the physical, financial, or emotional burden of a truck accident by yourself, and we will be by your side every step of the way as you seek fair financial compensation for what you've endured. You have plenty of options, and the Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys truck accident lawyers are here to help you explore them. Truck accidents are serious business, and we take them seriously. That's what injured victims deserve.

Don't hesitate, contact us today for a free consultation. And remember, you don't pay a penny unless we win your truck accident case.

$32 Million Wrongful Death

$26 Million Truck Accident

$17.5 Million Car Accident

$12 Million Product Liability

$9 Million Truck Accident

$8 Million Truck Accident

$7.5 Million Auto Accident

$6.9 Million Garbage Truck Accident

$6.5 Million Traumatic Brain Injury

$5 Million Medical Malpractice

$5 Million Bus Accidents

What Kind of Damages Can You Receive After a Trucking Accident?

If you or a family member has been injured, you absolutely have the right to compensation. And with effective representation, you can secure substantial damages after your truck accident in Reading. You should not have to bear the financial burden of a traumatic incident such as this.

There are two kinds of damages that you may be able to secure through either your insurance or a settlement. The first kind is referred to as “economic damages.” These are damages that have a clear monetary value that can be used to determine the value of your case. These include:

Medical bills and hospital fees
Property damage, such as damage to your vehicle
Lost wages
Lowered earning capacity

However, the costs of a truck accident are often more abstract in nature. A truck wreck can upend your life, causing you mental and emotional suffering. You may experience PTSD, or you may have injuries that make it difficult for you to enjoy your life in the way you once did. All of this deserves to be acknowledged and compensated for. That's where non-economic damages come in; these are damages that don't have a cut and dried financial value, but still must be considered. These include:

Pain and suffering
Lowered quality of life
Mental anguish, such as anxiety or depression
Loss of enjoyment

Your Reading truck accident lawyer will examine your case in great detail in order to ensure every aspect of your experience is properly compensated. Do not hesitate to contact one of the Reading truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to learn the value of your case.

How Much is My Truck Accident Claim Worth?

The value of a given case is entirely dependent on the details of the truck accident.

One of the main factors that influences the value of your case is your medical bills and the severity of your injuries. If your injuries require a great deal of medical expenses, prevent you from working, or change your ability to earn income in the future, you are likely looking at a higher degree of compensation.

You can also receive compensation for more abstract things, like “pain and suffering” and “loss of enjoyment” of life. Essentially, you can be financially compensated for the mental, emotional, and physical suffering the accident caused, and the degree to which it has prevented you from returning to and enjoying your life. Mental health challenges that occur as the result of the accident, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, may also be factored in.

One of the most important things an experienced truck accident lawyer can do for you is ensure you're valuing your case for all it's worth. Personal injury lawyers with expertise in this field know how to comb through a case in great detail, ensuring that you seek damages for every last way the accident has impacted you, whether that be physical, mental, or emotional. What's more, your lawyers will negotiate with the other party or parties and their legal terms to ensure you don't accept a settlement offer that's less than what you deserve.

Contact a Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys truck accident attorney in Reading today to discuss your claim and learn how we can help protect your interests.

What Causes a Truck Accident in Reading to Occur?

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's traffic volume maps, Reading and West Reading highways experience at least twice as much traffic volume daily as surrounding Berks County towns. And with such a high amount of traffic, the number of truck accidents increases exponentially compared to other towns in the county.

There are many possible causes of truck accidents. However, there are some factors and points of causation that are present in a great deal of truck accidents. Some of these factors include:

Fatigued or Drowsy Driving

Many people don't realize just how dangerous it can be to get behind the wheel of a car or truck when you're fatigued or drowsy. The truth is, drowsy driving can be just as dangerous as intoxicated driving. And unfortunately, truck drivers are at particular risk for this. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, semi truck and tractor trailer drivers may drive for a 14consecutive hour window; although there are regulations requiring truck drivers to rest, 14 hours is still quite a long time. It's very possible that a truck driving driving alone for such a period of time would become fatigued, leading to impaired decision making and possible an accident.

Drunk Driving

It's no secret that drinking and driving is both illegal and incredibly dangerous. According to the CDC, “Every day, 29 people in the United States die in motor vehicle crashes that involve an alcohol-impaired driver. This is one death every 50 minutes.” If a driver is intoxicated, this greatly increases the chances of a truck accident occurring.

Distracted Driving

Another form of driver negligence that can lead to truck accidents is distracted driving. This is a broad term that encompasses any behavior that distracts the driver from the act of driving; any act in which a driver takes their hands of the wheel to do another task, becomes mentally distracted, or takes their eyes off the road to do something like send a text message constitutes as a distraction. Taking your hands off the wheel or taking your eyes or mind off the road for even a couple of seconds can cause a collision.

Vehicle Failure

There are, of course, cases in which a truck accident occurs despite no driver exhibiting any kind of negligence. Sometimes, this is due to vehicle failure. Things like brake failure can lead to collisions.

Environmental Factors

Sometimes, environmental factors can lead to an accident. Whether this means a broken, unpaved road, heavy rain, or a snowstorm, these are things that can most certainly cause a truck crash.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving is any kind of driving that puts the truck driver and other drivers at risk. This includes things like tailgating, speeding, unsafe lane changing, and more.

How is a Truck Crash Different From a Car Accident?

There are certainly similarities between a truck crashes and accidents between passenger vehicles, but there are also many ways in which they differ.

Overall, truck wrecks cases tend to be more complex than cases that only involve passenger, non-commercial vehicles. This is one reason why it's wise to consider working with an experienced attorney; crashes that involve things like tractor trailers require a level of skill and legal expertise that not all attorneys possess. One of the reasons why these kinds of accidents are more complicated is simply that the damage caused is often greater. A crash that involves a semi truck is most likely going to cause more property damages and more severe and extensive injuries that one between two smaller vehicles, simply due to the size of the semi. This means that in many ways, the stakes of the case are higher, as the injured victims may require long term medical care and support.

Additionally, another complicating factor in many truck wrecks is the presence and involvement of the trucking company. When a trucking company is involved, it means that the victim is going up against not just another individual, but a corporate entity. What's more, these companies often have huge amounts of resources when it comes to defending themselves in legal disputes; their attorneys will have years of experience handling cases like yours. It's important to work with a Reading truck accident lawyer you trust in a situation such as this.

In a collision that involves a truck, it's also entirely possible that more than one entity may be found liable or at fault; some of these entities may not even have been physically present at the scene of the collision. For instance, it's possible that the truck driver, the truck company, and the truck manufacturer may all share some degree of responsibility. It takes a lawyer with extensive experience in these kinds of cases to successfully navigate a claim in which so many parties are involved.

What Can a Reading Truck Accident Attorney Do for You?

It's normal to wonder if it's really necessary to work with a truck accident lawyer as you attempt to recover compensation. Many people fear that will be too expensive, or make things more complicated. These are common concerns, but not things you have to worry about with the Reading truck accident lawyers. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means that we only get paid if you win, and even then, nothing comes out of your pocket. Our fee is paid as a portion of the settlement we secure for you.

Working with a truck accident attorney is one of the best things you can do to ensure you have a solid case and a good chance at recovering compensation. Some of the ways in with attorneys can help you include:

Gather evidence and investigate the case. One of the key roles reading truck accident lawyers can play is to gather extensive evidence that will build you a strong case. This can include CCTV footage, driver's records, witness testimony, and more. Your attorney will investigate your case thoroughly and leave no stone unturned.
Make you aware of all legal options. With most personal injury suits, there are various ways to approach the case. Your lawyer will help you understand all possible options and paths so that you can make the choice that's best for you and your family.
Negotiate on your behalf. Once you know how much your case is worth, by looking at things like medical expenses, lost wages, and more, you and your lawyer can approach the other party and their legal team with a settlement offer. This is essentially an amount of money that adequately compensates you for all the forms of suffering you've endured because of the truck accident. If the other side agrees, the settlement is paid, and the case is closed. However, the truth is that most settlement offers are not initially accepted; it's far more likely that the other side will negotiate with an offer of their own. When you have an attorney, you can rest assured that you won't be tricked into accepting an offer that's far lower than what you deserve. Your lawyer will negotiate for as long as it takes to secure you a fair settlement.
Represent you in court if needed. The vast majority of personal injury cases reach a settlement, making it unecessary to go to trial. However, trial is always a possibility, and you want to make sure that your lawyer is able to protect you in the courtroom as well as at the negotiating table. Many trucking companies have massive legal teams with a great deal of resources, so you'll want to work with an attorney who has experience in this particular field. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, all of our lawyers have extensive courtroom experience, and can fight for your rights if a trial is needed.

What Are My Legal Options After a Truck Accident in Reading?

Different states have different rules regarding the role insurance plays after a car accident. In states that use a “no fault” policy, each driver files a claim through their own insurance company, regardless of who is at fault. In “at fault” states, the negligent driver's insurance pays out coverage for the injured party.

Pennsylvania is a “choice” no fault state; this means that drivers can choose between the two types of insurance described above. This choice impacts your ability to file a claim for damages after a truck accident. If you choose no fault in Reading PA, you will likely first have to file a claim under your own insurance first.

However, if your injuries qualify as “serious,” you can step outside of this no fault limitation and file a claim directly against the at fault party. This may be the individual driver, or it could be the trucking company as a whole, depending on the details of the accident. In an ideal situation, you will be able to recover all the compensation you need and are owed via an insurance claim. But there are most certainly cases in which this is not possible, and it becomes necessary to file a personal injury suit against the at-fault party. This may be the best or only course of action if you have serious injuries, which may mean the cost of your injuries are more expensive than the at fault party's insurance coverage.

If you're unsure whether filing a PA personal injury suit is the right move for you, it's always best to speak to an experienced truck accident lawyer. Your attorney may be able to help you recover all you need via insurance, and if that proves impossible, they can assist you in the process of filing a personal injury suit and winning a satisfactory settlement.

How Do I Choose a Reading Truck Accident Lawyer?

If you choose to work with a Reading truck accident attorney, it's important that you make sure it's a person you trust. You also want to be sure this lawyer has experience specifically in truck accident cases.

Some of the questions you can ask a potential truck accident lawyer to make sure it's a good fit include:

Have you worked on many previous truck accident cases?
What is your success record when working on truck accident cases?
If needed, are you able to represent me in court?
How involved will I be with the decision-making in my case?
Will you be available to me if and when I have questions?
Do you have a sense of how much my case is worth?

Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Reading

Q: What Are the Common Types of Truck Accidents in Reading?

A: As with car accidents, there are many different kinds of truck accidents that can occur. Some common types include:

Rear-end collisions: A rear end collision is when the front of one vehicle collides with the rear of another vehicle. One reason this can be a particularly bad accident when a truck is involved is that, due to their size and weight, trucks take munch longer to come to a complete stop than regular cars do. This means that if a truck is following too closely behind a car, and that car comes to a stop, it will be nearly impossible for the truck to stop in time. In the majority of cases, the vehicle that hits the other vehicle from behind will be the one considered at fault.
Blindspot accidents: All cars have blindspots, but the blindspot of something like a semi truck is substantially larger than that of a non commercial passenger vehicle. This means that it's far more difficult for a truck driver to tell when there's a car besides them or behind them. This lack of awareness can lead to crashes.
Head-on collisions: Head-on collisions, as the name implies, occur when the fronts of two vehicles collide. These are one of the most deadly kinds of collisions. These extreme collisions often involve a driver who is intoxicated or fatigued.
Rollovers: As the name implies, a rollover is when a truck rolls onto its side. This can happen because of driver error, vehicle failure, or overloaded cargo that means the weight is not evenly distributed within the truck.

Q: What are the Most Common Types of Injuries Caused by Reading Truck Accidents?

A: All accidents can cause a vast range of injuries, and most truck accidents are no exception. One of the most common types of injuries in all motor vehicle accidents is whiplash, which impacts the soft tissue of the neck and is usually associated with rear-end collisions. Other types of injuries include:

Disc injuries
Back and neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries (or paralysis)
Internal bleeding
Broken bones

Unfortunately, injuries that occur as a result of truck accidents are often more extensive and deserving of substantial financial compensation. Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are a devastating and extremely complex type of injury often associated with motor vehicle side impact crashes. Symptoms, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, include:

Headaches
Dizziness
Lethargy
Sensitivity to light
Loss of memory
Difficulty thinking clearly
Change in emotion, such as increased agitation, sadness, or anxiety

Any injury that occurs as a result of a truck accident such as this is devastating. If you or one of your loved ones has been hurt as a result of a truck accident, please seek the aid of an experienced truck accident lawyer. Our Reading truck accident lawyer is talented, professional, and committed, above all else, to fighting on your behalf. We will help you receive the compensation you are owed for your immense suffering, and we won't get paid until we do so.

Q: Is There a Time Limit for My Truck Accident Claim?

A: Yes. In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations for truck accident cases is two years after the accident to file a personal injury claim. If you try to file a claim after two years, chances are your case will be denied. That's because evidence can fade quickly after an accident so it's very important to speak with a truck injury attorney as soon as possible to learn what your legal options are.

Q: What Should I Do at the Scene of a Truck Accident?

A: While you are at the scene of a truck accident, be sure to follow these steps:

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. It is Pennsylvania law to report a truck accident to the police.
If you are able, get the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all parties involved, and any witnesses. In addition, write down the names and badge numbers of any police officers at the scene so you can contact them later to get the police report.
Take photographs and video of your vehicle, the truck, and the scene of the accident. It is also helpful to get photos of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Do not admit fault and do not leave the scene of the accident until the police say it's ok. 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.
Seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Even if you don't think you sustained any injuries, it's important to get medical attention after any type of accident. Many times, injuries do not present themselves until hours or days after the crash.

Q: Why Are Truck Accident Lawsuits so Complex?

A: Truck accident lawsuits are often more complex than other types of highway accidents, so it is important to contact a truck accident attorney immediately if you have been hurt in a collision with a large commercial vehicle.

The best course of action is to speak with an experienced and knowledgeable Reading truck accident lawyer who knows how to preserve evidence in your case, consult appropriate experts, find eyewitnesses, locate the truck driver, and handle all of the details to make sure you get the maximum compensation for your truck accident injuries.

Unlike a car accident, where there are only you and the other driver involved, there may be many parties to blame for the crash. These parties include:

The truck driver: Usually the main party responsible for the accident. If the driver had failed to adhere to the rules of the road and drove in a negligent manner, they could be held responsible for the accident.
The trucking company: The truck company could be held accountable if it did not train the truck driver properly or did not service the vehicle in a timely fashion.
The trucking manufacturer: If the manufacturer did not fix a defect and the malfunction of the part resulted in the accident, it could be held liable.
A third-party broker: For example, if the shipping company did not do its due diligence in hiring the company to handle the load, it may be responsible for the trucking accident.

Trucking companies and insurance companies in the trucking industry know truck accidents often result in serious injuries or fatalities. Immediately after the truck accident occurs, the trucking company will have its own investigators on the scene in order to start preparing its case. Often, trucking companies will have their lawyers at the scene of a truck accident within hours of the accident itself. You need a team that will react just as quickly.

The first step is to contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys so that our Reading truck accident lawyers can get to work as soon as possible. There is no fee for our initial consultation, so you risk nothing by having a truck accident attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys review the details of your case.

Q: What Should I Do in the Days Following a Trucking Accident?

A: In the days after a truck accident:

Get a copy of the police report for your crash. You will need to make sure that all the information is correct.
Get a valuation of the property damage from your insurance company.
Keep track of all doctor's visits and treatment you receive, and keep a journal of any symptoms or pain you experience. Get copies of all test results, medication prescriptions, treatments, and any other relevant medical information.
Keep a detailed list of any out-of-pocket expenses you incur. This includes travel expenses to doctor visits, any medical equipment or prescriptions not covered by your insurance, and rental car costs.
Record days of missed work or other activities/events
Remember, never accept a settlement offer from an insurance carrier unless you have consulted with your experienced truck collision lawyer first.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving a tractor-trailer or any type of commercial vehicle in Reading, Berks County, or anywhere in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, you need an experienced personal injury attorney at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys to protect your rights. Large trucking companies will have their own investigators and attorneys fighting for them; you need someone on your side fighting for you.

Q. How Much Does an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

A: Our team of expert truck accident lawyers only takes a fee if we win you a settlement. You do not owe anything before your case is settled and it costs nothing to talk to one of our Reading truck accident attorneys.

Why Choose the Reading Truck Accident Lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys?

If you or a loved one has experienced a truck accident, you have been through something overwhelming and traumatic. Dealing with the aftermath can feel impossible, but the good news is you don't have to do that alone.

Here at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, it is to guide you through the legal process and support you as you seek compensation. You will work with an excellent Reading truck accident lawyer who will fight on your behalf every step of the way. At Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, all of our truck accident lawyers treat their clients like family.

Our team of excellent, highly experienced lawyers and dozens of excellent legal support staff will work around the clock so that you can rest easy. We're prepared to take on even the most powerful trucking companies, because we believe that every trucking company needs to be held responsible for their actions, and that truck accident victims deserve justice. When you work with Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys, you know you're working with one of the best and most respected law firms in the area.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a crash involving a truck or tractor trailer, contact the truck accident experts at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys today– we will work hard to help you get the compensation you may be owed and help you get your life back.