You need an experienced Scranton truck accident lawyer to fight for your rights if you are injured in a crash involving a tractor-trailer in Lackawanna County. With extensive resources and experience to draw from, we have what it takes to go up against big trucking companies and their insurance companies and legal teams to ensure you receive justice and the compensation you deserve.
As a result of our pursuit of justice on clients’ behalf, we’ve secured groundbreaking victories. Among them are a $26 million truck accident settlement, a $20 million commercial vehicle settlement, and a $19.8 million settlement in a truck accident case. Our expertise continues to be recognized by respected legal organizations such as the American Association for Justice, the National Trial Lawyers, Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and Lawdragon, and we regularly receive five-star reviews on Google.
The trucking company’s insurance team is already working to limit its liability. Make sure you have our experienced Scranton legal team protecting your interests. Call Munley Law now for a free consultation. We charge no fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Why Do You Need Legal Help Immediately After a Truck Crash in Scranton, PA?
Trucking companies don’t wait to protect themselves after an accident. Their legal teams often get to crash scenes before the wreckage is cleared. They work to gather evidence that supports their side of the story. Meanwhile, you’re dealing with injuries, medical appointments, and trying to figure out how you’ll pay your bills.
The first 48 hours after a truck accident are critical for preserving evidence. Once hired, our Scranton legal team sends spoliation letters to trucking companies. These letters ask them to keep certain records. They need to maintain driver logs and maintenance records. They also have to keep data from the truck’s electronic recording device, which is often called the “black box.” This information can prove driver fatigue, equipment failures, or regulatory violations that caused your crash.
This information can prove driver fatigue, equipment failures, or regulatory violations that caused your crash.
Most Lackawanna County personal injury lawyers do not understand the rules for commercial vehicles. They also may not know what evidence to find. With almost 70 years of experience, our personal injury attorneys in Scranton know how to investigate your accident. We will build the strongest case possible and will:
- Handle all communication with insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.
- Find the true value of your case, including future medical costs and lost earning potential that insurance adjusters often overlook.
- Hire accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals when needed to strengthen your claim.
- Gather witness statements and obtain police reports while memories are fresh.
- Take your case to trial if negotiations fail
How Common are Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Commercial vehicle accidents are a serious problem throughout our region. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), 98,529 light trucks, vans, and SUVs were involved in accidents, and 7,312 heavy trucks were involved in accidents in the Keystone State in 2024. The total number of crashes involving heavy trucks increased from 6,685 in 2023 to 6,805 in 2024. Many of these crashes happened in Scranton. This affected many local families who may need help from a skilled Scranton wrongful death lawyer.
This isn’t surprising when you consider where we are located. Interstate 81 runs directly through the Electric City, bringing thousands of commercial vehicles through our Scranton community daily. This central transportation corridor is one of Pennsylvania’s most dangerous for truck accidents.
Local roads create additional hazards for both truckers and passenger vehicles. Route 6’s steep grades and sharp curves become treacherous during Scranton’s harsh winter months. The North Scranton Expressway often has heavy traffic. Some areas have poor visibility, which makes it dangerous. This is especially true when large trucks share the road with commuter cars.
Within Scranton, narrow city streets force commercial vehicles onto roads not designed for 80,000-pound trucks. These challenging conditions contribute to accidents that could have been prevented with proper planning and careful driving.
If you have been in a truck accident in Scranton, as a passenger, car driver, or truck driver, get legal help right away. Contact our experienced Scranton 18-wheeler accident attorneys today to discuss your case.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Truck Crash in Scranton?
In Scranton, you can pursue compensation after a serious truck accident. This money helps cover your financial losses and the personal effects of the crash on your life. Pennsylvania law recognizes three types of damages, including economic damages, non-economic damages, and punitive damages.
Economic damages cover your quantifiable losses, such as medical bills. Non-economic damages cover intangible injuries, such as pain, suffering, and emotional trauma, while punitive damages are intended to punish the liable party and deter similar conduct. Understanding each type is important for getting the full compensation you deserve.
Your Financial Losses
Economic damages cover the measurable costs of your accident. This includes all your medical costs. It covers what you have paid for and future treatments, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any medical equipment you need. You can recover lost wages if you miss work. You can also claim for reduced earning capacity if your injuries stop you from returning to your old job.
Property damage to your vehicle and any other out-of-pocket expenses related to the crash are also covered. Our Scranton attorneys carefully document every financial impact to ensure nothing gets overlooked.
The Personal Impact
Non-economic damages recognize that some losses can’t be measured in dollars and cents. You deserve payment for your physical pain. You also deserve compensation for the emotional trauma from the accident. Additionally, your injuries impact your daily life, and you should be compensated for that, too.
If you can no longer enjoy activities you used to love, it matters. If your relationships have suffered, that matters too. If you are dealing with driving anxiety, that is important as well. Disfigurement, scarring, and the loss of consortium with your spouse are also considered when calculating your compensation.
When Companies Act Recklessly
Punitive damages can apply in cases of dangerous behavior. This includes a trucking company making drivers break safety rules or a driver under the influence. These awards compensate you further and clearly show that such reckless conduct won’t be tolerated.
The total value of your case depends on your situation. Our goal is to get you compensation that shows the full impact this accident has had on your life.
Who is Responsible for Your Commercial Truck Accident?
Unlike typical car accidents involving individual drivers, truck accidents often involve multiple parties who share responsibility for what happened. This complexity can help you. It means there are more ways to get compensation. However, you need experienced legal help to identify all parties who may be responsible.
The most obvious parties are the truck driver who caused the accident and their employer. Under Pennsylvania law, trucking companies are generally responsible for their drivers’ actions while on the job. However, companies often label drivers as independent contractors to avoid responsibility. You need Scranton attorneys who can break through these corporate defenses.
Many other parties may have contributed to your accident. If bad maintenance caused a brake failure or tire blowout, the company that serviced the truck could be responsible. When cargo isn’t properly loaded or secured, the loading company may share fault. Third-party brokers who arrange shipments sometimes choose unreliable carriers or push unrealistic delivery schedules that encourage unsafe driving.
Vehicle manufacturers can be held responsible when defective parts contribute to accidents. Even government entities may be liable if poor road design or inadequate signage played a role in your crash.
Why This Matters to You
Identifying all responsible parties involved in a Scranton truck accident isn’t just an academic exercise – it’s about maximizing your compensation. Each liable party typically carries their insurance coverage, which means more resources are available to cover your damages. Our investigation begins immediately to uncover every potential source of recovery while the evidence is still fresh.
We handle these complex cases daily and know where to look for evidence and which parties to investigate. Don’t let anyone escape responsibility for the injuries they caused.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer at Munley Law
What Causes Truck Accidents in Scranton?
Most tractor-trailer accidents in the Scranton area are preventable negligence. This includes drivers who ignore safety rules and companies that put profits over public safety. Understanding these common causes can help you recognize if similar factors contributed to your crash.
Driver Fatigue and Hours Violations
Drowsy driving remains one of the leading causes of truck accidents. Drowsy drivers of all types of vehicles caused 2,591 accidents in 2024, according to PennDOT. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules limit how long drivers can work without a break. However, trucking companies often push drivers to go beyond these limits to meet tight delivery schedules. When drivers go over their legal driving hours, they become very tired. This fatigue raises the risk of serious or even fatal truck accidents.
Impaired and Distracted Driving
Commercial drivers have stricter blood alcohol limits than regular drivers, under 49 CFR § 383.5 and 390.5. Still, some of them drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Even small distractions, like checking a phone, adjusting GPS, or eating while driving, can have serious consequences. This is especially true when they are driving an 80,000-pound vehicle. According to the National Safety Council, 12429 people were killed in accidents caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol in 2023.
Equipment and Maintenance Failures
When trucking companies cut corners on maintenance to save money, the results can be deadly. Brake failures, tire blowouts, and other equipment malfunctions create serious hazards for everyone on the road. Companies must maintain their fleets properly and conduct regular inspections, but some ignore these requirements until it’s too late.
Without specifying vehicle types, PennDOT reported 278 truck accidents caused by vehicle defects in 2024. Of these, 100 were tire- or wheel-related, 87 were brake-related, and 23 were caused by total steering system failure.
Cargo and Loading Issues
Overloaded trucks or improperly secured cargo significantly increase accident risks. When cargo shifts during transport or trucks exceed weight limits, drivers lose control more easily. Loading companies and truckers must follow specific protocols for securing freight, but violations of these rules are unfortunately common.
in Lackawanna County. According to PennDOT, 31 truck accidents were caused by overloading or unsecure trailers in 2024.
Speed and Aggressive Driving
Excessive speeding makes it impossible for truck drivers to stop safely or navigate turns properly. Some drivers act aggressively. They tailgate, pass unsafely, or forget to check blind spots. These actions are very dangerous, especially with large commercial vehicles. 23,427 accidents in 2024 were speed-related, according to PennDOT.
The common thread in most cases is that someone chose convenience or profit over safety. Whether a driver cuts corners or a company ignores rules, these choices hurt innocent Scranton residents on the road.
Why Truck Accidents in Scranton, PA, Are So Devastating
The physics is tough but simple: When an 80,000-pound truck hits a 4,000-pound car, the smaller car takes most of the hit. Commercial trucks can weigh 20 times more than your car. This big weight difference means that even slow crashes can cause serious injuries or death.
Beyond their enormous weight, trucks present unique dangers that passenger vehicles don’t. Their higher ground clearance can cause smaller cars to slide underneath during collisions. Their longer stopping distances mean truck drivers need much more time and space to avoid accidents. When trucks jackknife or roll over, they can affect multiple lanes of traffic and involve several other vehicles.
Due to these inherent dangers, federal law imposes strict requirements on commercial drivers and trucking companies. Drivers must follow hours-of-service rules limiting their drive duration without mandatory rest breaks. Every truck must have an electronic logging device. These devices track driver hours and vehicle movement. This makes it harder for drivers to fake their logbooks.
Trucking companies must maintain detailed maintenance records and conduct regular vehicle inspections. Drivers need special training for handling hazardous materials and properly securing cargo loads. Commercial vehicles need to have much higher insurance coverage than passenger cars. This coverage is often $1 million or more. Accidents with trucks usually cause much more severe damage.
Weight and Height Restrictions
Weight and height restrictions exist to keep oversized loads off roads that can’t safely accommodate them. Despite all these regulations, violations are common when companies prioritize schedules and profits over safety.
These size and weight differences translate into life-changing injuries for truck accident victims. Small accidents between cars can cause minor injuries. However, crashes involving trucks often result in more serious injuries. These can include traumatic brain injuries, multiple fractures, and spinal cord damage. These injuries can require years of treatment and rehabilitation.
Knowing these facts helps explain why truck accident cases are more complicated. You need Scranton truck accident lawyers who focus on commercial vehicle cases on your side for the best chance of obtaining justice and fair compensation.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For more than 65 years, we have been the voice for the injured, the forgotten, and those who need someone to stand beside them in their darkest hour.”
Marion Munley
What You Need to Know About Your Injuries
After a truck accident in Scranton, it is important to understand your injuries. Knowing their long-term effects is key to your health and your legal case. Many accident victims in Scranton make serious mistakes after their crash. These mistakes can hurt their recovery and compensation. Avoid making these mistakes by:
Seeking Medical Attention Immediately
Adrenaline and shock can mask serious injuries in the immediate aftermath of a truck accident. Traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage may not cause obvious symptoms for hours or even days. This is why it’s essential to seek medical attention right away, even if you feel “fine” at the scene.
Insurance adjusters know about delayed symptoms and will use any gap in medical treatment against you. If you wait several days to see a doctor, they’ll argue your injuries weren’t serious or weren’t caused by the accident.
Keeping Detailed Records of Everything
Document your pain levels, limitations, and how your injuries affect your daily activities. Insurance companies will scrutinize your medical records, looking for inconsistencies or signs that you’re exaggerating your condition. Being thorough and honest with your healthcare providers creates a clear picture of your injury progression.
Don’t skip appointments or stop treatment early, even if you’re feeling better. Many truck accident injuries need ongoing care. Stopping treatment too soon can suggest you weren’t as hurt as you say.
Watching for Signs of Serious Complications
Some symptoms need immediate medical help and should not be ignored. Keep a lookout for the following symptoms:
- Persistent headaches.
- Feeling confused or having memory issues.
- Instead of getting better, your pain may be getting worse.
- Numbness or tingling in your arms or legs.
- Trouble with balance or coordination.
These can indicate serious injuries that worsen without proper treatment. If you experience these symptoms, speak to your doctor as soon as possible.
Be Honest About Pre-Existing Conditions
If you had previous injuries or health problems, don’t try to hide them from your doctors or attorneys. Insurance companies will discover your medical history anyway, and being dishonest only hurts your credibility. A good attorney can help you get compensation for worsening pre-existing conditions. The trucking company must accept you as you are.
Understanding Future Medical Needs
Some injuries from truck accidents require lifelong care, multiple surgeries, or ongoing rehabilitation. Your current medical bills are just the start. Your legal case should also include future treatment costs. It must consider possible complications and any lasting limitations that could impact your ability to earn money.
Don’t accept any settlement offers until your doctors can give a clear prognosis about your long-term recovery. Insurance companies often push for quick settlements before the full extent of injuries becomes apparent.
What Should You Do If the Trucking Company’s Insurance Company Calls?
Following the accident, you may receive a call from the trucking company’s insurance company. Refusing to speak with them is advisable until you have hired a truck accident attorney. However, if you do engage in conversation, keep the following tips in mind:
- Do not agree to give a recorded statement or sign any forms from the trucking company or its insurance.
- You are not obligated to disclose any information about the accident. Keep your comments brief and stick to the facts if pressured to speak.
- Avoid discussing your injuries, medical treatment, or losses in detail.
Contact our truck accident lawyers in Scranton as soon as possible for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys will review any paperwork sent to you.
Why Choose Munley Law for Your Scranton Truck Accident Lawyer?
You need a law firm known for its work in trucking accident litigation on your side when you’re faced with the aftermath of a crash involving a heavy truck, and that’s what you’ll find at Munley Law. Ours is the only firm in Pennsylvania with the distinction of having three attorneys, namely Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, and Katie Nealon, board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Marion and Daniel are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates and are on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. Like all our attorneys, Marion and Daniel are members of the American Association for Justice. The association’s current Vice President, Marion, was the first woman to head the Trucking Litigation Group, a position Daniel has also held. They were the first recipients of the group’s Robert W. Munley Pursuit of Justice Award, which was named after our founder. In addition, Daniel received the group’s Ring of Honor Award. The National Trial Lawyers named Daniel and Marion among the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania, Caroline Munley among the Top 25 Women Trial Lawyers, and all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers. Our partners have been named to the Irish Legal 100 list and have received Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating, AV Preeminent.
It’s no surprise, then, that we have secured major client victories in the form of multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. A few of these include an $11 million truck accident settlement, a $9.95 million settlement for a mother hit head-on by a tractor-trailer, and a $9 million settlement for a truck accident. Choose Munley Law if you want a Scranton truck accident lawyer who gets results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Truck Accidents in Scranton
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Scranton, PA?
Nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless we win your case. We also pay for all case expenses during the legal process. This means you won’t have to pay for things like expert witnesses, medical record retrieval, or court filing fees. You only pay if we recover compensation for you.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for My Truck Accident Claim?
The statute of limitations for an accident claim in Pennsylvania is two years. However, waiting too long can cause important evidence to disappear. This includes maintenance logs, drivers’ schedules, timesheets, and witness statements. In your best interest, promptly contact experienced Scranton truck crash attorneys to initiate the claims process.
What If I Was Hurt as a Passenger?
As a passenger, you can seek compensation from different insurance policies. This includes the trucking company’s liability coverage, the driver’s insurance, and possibly other vehicles involved in the crash. Since you had no control over the vehicle operation, establishing liability is more straightforward than cases involving multiple drivers. We know how to navigate these defenses and maximize your recovery from all available sources.
How Long Will My Case Take?
Some cases settle within months, while complex cases with severe injuries may take longer. Complex cases take longer to finish. We need time to understand your damages fully. This helps us build the strongest case possible. We keep you informed throughout and never settle for less than what your case is worth.
Can I Handle My Truck Accident Case Without a Lawyer?
You do not have to hire a lawyer by law. However, truck accident cases can be complicated. They involve federal rules, many parties that may be responsible, and insurance companies with skilled legal teams. These cases are fundamentally different from typical car accidents. Insurance companies know that unrepresented victims often accept far less compensation than their cases are worth.
Contact Our Scranton Truck Accident Law Firm Now
If you or your loved one requires aggressive legal representation for a truck injury case, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. Under 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2), Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations allows you two years from the date of the crash to file a claim. Our consultation is always free, and we will fight on your behalf to secure compensation. We only get paid if we win your accident case.
Contact Munley Law now to speak with an experienced Scranton truck accident lawyer.
Reviewed by Bernadine Munley, Esq., Personal Injury Attorney at Munley Law, on February 26, 2026.
Marion Munley
Marion Munley has been practicing personal injury law for nearly 40 years. She is triple board-certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy for Truck Accident Law, Civil Trial Law, and Civil Practice Advocacy. She currently serves as Vice President of the American Association for Justice, an organization dedicated to safeguarding victims’ rights. Marion has won many multimillion-dollar recoveries for her clients, including one of the largest trucking accident settlements in history. She has been named a Top 10 Super Lawyer in Pennsylvania since 2023, a Best Lawyer in America, and was recently inducted to the Lawdragon Hall of Fame.
