Scranton Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer

Personal Injury Lawyers / Scranton Personal Injury Lawyer / Scranton Truck Accidents Lawyer / Scranton Fatal Truck Accident Lawyer

Our Scranton Fatal Truck Accident Lawyers Will Fight For Your Rights

Truck accidents are, unfortunately, an all too common occurrence on roads across the nation. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reports that in 2020, there were 122 heavy-truck-related fatalities in the state. This makes up about 10 percent of all traffic fatalities that occurred in the state that year.

When an accident occurs between a truck and a passenger vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist, the chances are that the passenger vehicle driver, pedestrian, or cyclist will experience the brunt of the damage. The sheer size and weight of a truck mean the vehicle itself and those inside of it are somewhat shielded from the impact of an accident; a pedestrian, however, is very likely to experience serious injury if hit by a truck. Fully loaded commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, and even an empty semi truck can weigh something like 35,000 pounds. If a tractor-trailer or semi-truck of this size and weight collides with anything else, they’re likely to cause a great deal of harm. Far too many lives are lost this way each and every year.

If you have lost someone in your life due to a truck accident, you have the right to both justice and fair compensation. While our Scranton truck accident lawyer at Munley can’t undo the pain you’ve experienced–though we wish we could–we can fight on your behalf to ensure you secure the damages you deserve. Don’t hesitate–contact our Scranton fatal truck accident lawyer today for a free initial case evaluation. We are ready and waiting to take your call.

What Are the Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents?

As with all car accidents, any number of factors can lead to a fatal truck accident. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Distracted Driving
• Reckless Driving
• Driving Under the Influence
• Poor Weather Conditions
• Mechanical Failure
• Overloaded Trailers
• Negligence from the Trucking Company
• And more

As you can see, many truck accidents are caused by some form of human error, whether that’s the driver behaving recklessly on the road, or a loading company overloading a tractor trailer. But regardless of what causes a truck accident, all victims of fatal crashes deserve to have someone fight on their behalf.

Who is Liable for a Truck Accident?

In an accident between two passenger vehicles, figuring out who is at fault is often a fairly simple process. While there are certainly exceptions, in most cases, fault will fall with one of the drivers, or they may share fault. But in a truck accident case, the number of possibly liable parties increases greatly. Some parties who may be at fault for a truck accident include:

• The truck driver: Of course, it’s entirely possible for the truck driver to be responsible for causing a fatal accident. If the driver was intoxicated, distracted, or driving recklessly and breaking traffic laws in the moments leading up to the collision, they are most likely at fault.
• The trucking company: The trucking company is responsible for hiring drivers, training them, and ensuring all drivers and vehicles are fit for the road. If the trucking company puts an untrained or unift driver on the road, for instance, and an accident occurs, the company itself may be at fault.
• The loading company: Usually, trucks are loaded by third party loading companies. There are very strict federal regulations about how different items must be loaded and tied down on semi trucks, and how much cargo can be on any given truck. If these rules are broken, an accident can occur. Cargo can fall off the truck into the road, or the truck itself can topple from being overloaded. If an accident occurs because of overloading or improper loading, the loading company could be liable.
• The truck manufacturer: Sometimes, accidents occur because of mechanical failures or defects in the truck; ie, the brakes giving out. If the truck was poorly designed or manufactured, or sold with the knowledge that it was faulty, the truck manufacturer could be held responsible if an accident occurs.
• The truck’s maintenance company: Trucking companies typically hire designated maintenance companies to handle the upkeep of their fleet. The maintenance company could cause an accident if they knowingly put an unsafe vehicle on the road, or fail to give the vehicle a proper inspection.
• And more

Knowing who is at fault in your Scranton car accident is key in order to move forward with your case. In some instances, it’s all possible for multiple parties to share responsibility for causing an accident. For instance, perhaps there was a mechanical failure on a truck, but one the driver should have been able to correct for–the driver, however, was texting while driving, and was not able to react in time to prevent an accident. In a case like this, it’s possible for both the truck driver and the truck manufacturer to bear some degree of fault.

The length of time it takes to secure a settlement depends greatly on the details of the case. In cases where the injuries are minor, the case may be settled in a matter of months. But in more severe cases, including those that cause fatalities, it’s generally a longer timeline. It’s possible for the process to take several years.

Understanding Wrongful Death Suits

There is nothing so devastating in life as losing a loved one. The painful reality is that fatal truck accidents do occur, and every year, Scranton residents lose family and friends to these crashes. While trying to process the grief of losing someone, the idea of also trying to understand your legal options can feel extremely overwhelming. Having an experienced lawyer on your side, who can guide you step by step, is one of the best ways to ensure you secure justice for your lost loved one.

What are your legal options if you lose someone in a fatal truck accident? One path is to file something known as a wrongful death suit. Pennsylvania law defines wrongful death as a death “caused by the wrongful act or neglect or unlawful violence or negligence of another.” In other words, if someone’s reckless, negligent, or illegal action causes a fatality, the deceased party’s family likely has the right to bring about a wrongful death suit. A truck accident that involved any form of negligence would certainly fall under this category.

A wrongful death suit is essentially a personal injury lawsuit in which the party who was harmed is unable to bring their own case to court. One important factor to note is that a wrongful death suit is a civil suit, not a criminal one. This means that, if found responsible, the defendant is penalized solely in terms of financial damages, not jail time.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, and are interested in the possibility of filing a wrongful death suit, contact a truck accident attorney at Munley Law today. We are ready and waiting to take your call.

Do You Need a Scranton Truck Accident Attorney?

One of the best ways to ensure success in any truck accident case is to work with an experienced Scranton truck accident attorney. One unique aspect of a truck accident case, as opposed to one involving only passenger vehicles, is that in many cases, the trucking company itself is involved. So rather than dealing with another individual, you’re going up against a company.  Trucking companies tend to have powerful legal teams behind them, who are experienced in handling cases just like yours. Their goal will always be to protect themselves and to pay out as little as possible. You need someone on your side who is extremely familiar with these kinds of accident cases and has a track record of winning them.

Your Scranton truck accident lawyer will work tirelessly to gather evidence for you, which is a crucial step that must be done in a timely manner. Evidence may include witness testimony, CCTV footage, the truck driver’s driver history report, vehicle maintenance reports, and more. All of this can be difficult to secure without the aid of a legal professional. What’s more, your truck accident lawyer will be the liaison between you and all other parties involved, so you hardly ever have to deal with them directly. It’s not uncommon for insurance adjusters to call an accident victim just days after the accident, trying to pressure them into accepting an unfairly low settlement. When you work with an attorney, all of this contact happens through them, so you’re never caught off guard or put under pressure.

Additionally, your lawyer will work to negotiate a fair settlement in your case, and can even protect you in court if a trial becomes necessary.

Why Choose Munley Law?

Munley Law is a premier injury law firm that works with clients in the Scranton area. We have decades of experience advocating for truck accident victims, as well as their families, and ensuring they receive the damages they deserve.

If you have lost a loved one in a fatal truck accident, you don’t have to bear that pain alone. We are here to help, and fight on your behalf. Contact us today for a free initial case evaluation. We are ready and waiting to take your call.