Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a family member were injured or killed in an accident involving a tractor-trailer, contact our award-winning Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers at Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. For 65 years, our PA truck accident attorneys have been fighting and winning big for truck accident victims. We are the only law firm in Pennsylvania that has three truck accident attorneys with board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our knowledge and success with truck cases has made Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys a recognized leader in truck accident litigation all over the United States. No other truck accident lawyer in Pennsylvania can match our level of truck expertise.

If you are unsure what happens next after a truck accident, let us put your mind at ease. Get started on recovery with a free consultation with one of our Pennsylvania semi-truck accident lawyers. There is no fee unless we win.

$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

The Role of a Truck Accident Attorney in Pennsylvania

An experienced PA truck accident attorney provides specialized expertise beyond that of a general personal injury lawyer. Here’s how they can assist you:

Investigate the Truck Crash: A Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate your case, gathering data from the collision scene, reviewing driver logs, and examining truck maintenance records. Our legal team will also analyze security footage and interview witnesses to build a strong case against the liable parties.
Hire Expert Witnesses: Your attorney will work with accident reconstructionists, medical specialists, and industry experts to understand the causes and impacts of the incident. These experts will provide testimony to support your case, ensuring all relevant details of the transportation industry and its regulations are considered.
Negotiate with the Insurance Companies: Multiple insurance companies may be involved in truck accident cases. Our truck accident attorneys will negotiate a settlement with each insurance adjuster that fully accounts for your losses and severe injuries.
File A Personal Injury Lawsuit: Our experienced truck accident lawyers are prepared to go to trial if a settlement cannot be reached. With decades of experience trying all types of truck accidents, we understand the complexity of these cases. Our job is to make sure the injured party gets compensation for damages.

Hiring a personal injury lawyer with truck accident experience is essential. Not every personal injury attorney knows how to handle these complex claims. A knowledgeable Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer will notice critical details that a general car accident lawyer might overlook. Their expertise ensures that every aspect of your claim is handled precisely and expertly, increasing the likelihood of a favorable outcome.

When to Hire an Experienced Truck Accident Law Firm

Knowing whether you have a case after a trucking accident can be difficult. But even if you aren’t sure, speaking with a Pennsylvania truck accident attorney will help you understand the available legal options. Here are a few questions to ask in understanding whether you have a truck accident lawsuit:

Who is At Fault for the Truck Crash?

Establishing liability and culpability is the cornerstone of any case involving any motor vehicle accident. Was the truck driver intoxicated, speeding, or distracted while operating the tractor trailer? Maybe the trucking company didn’t keep the vehicle up to par, or maybe a truck part manufacturer made a defective product. A knowledgeable Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer will investigate and determine who else may be responsible for your injuries.

What Are Your Injuries?

A truck crash often results in catastrophic injuries or even fatalities. You or your loved one could be facing extensive medical expenses, lost wages and earning potential, property damage, and even mental anguish. Since these damages serve as the foundation for the compensation you’ll seek, documentation of them is essential.

Were There Any Citations for Violations?

Safety regulations are frequently broken in the trucking sector. Your case would be strengthened if the truck driver or the transportation firm had broken state or federal trucking laws. For instance, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has a regulation that states that truck drivers must stop for a break after a specific amount of driving time. If one of these rules was broken and caused your accident, that could be crucial evidence of negligence.

Is There Still Time to File a Truck Accident Claim?

The statute of limitations is the deadline by which you must file a truck accident claim in each state. In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the accident date to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you don’t file within this window, you might forfeit your ability to seek compensation.

However, you should not wait until almost two years have elapsed. Instead, you should consult an experienced Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer right away. Almost immediately after a large truck crash, the clock starts ticking. Trucking company officials will dispatch their lawyers to defend them as soon as they learn about the accident. Critical pieces of evidence can be destroyed or lost. Our legal team will preserve evidence and build a case for you as soon as you retain us. No matter the size of your case, we don’t collect a fee for our services unless we win.

It’s critical to contact our Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys immediately after a truck crash. Their knowledge will help you navigate the complications, maintain your rights, and position you for the most significant conclusion.

Damages in PA Truck Accident Cases

In a truck accident case, you may receive two types of compensation – economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages refer to any monetary expenses you may have incurred following a truck accident. This includes but is not limited to:

Past and future medical bills such as ER visits, doctor’s appointments, surgery, lab tests, and medical equipment.
Lost wages
Property damage
Funeral and burial expenses if you lost a loved one in the truck wreck

Non-economic damages provide compensation for non-monetary damages. These damages are more subjective and can include:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of consortium
Loss of enjoyment of life
Loss of companionship

In some cases, punitive damages may be rewarded. This type of compensation is meant to punish the behavior of those responsible for the truck crash. However, punitive damages can be rare.

How Much Is My Truck Accident Case Worth?

Since each truck accident lawsuit is different, it is difficult to say how much your case may be worth without looking at your case’s facts. It all depends on the following factors:

The severity of your injuries. The more severe your injuries are, the more medical costs you will face, which will increase the value of your claim. For example, if you suffered a herniated disc, the recovery time and the amount of medical expenses you have will be less than someone who received a traumatic brain injury.
Who is at fault for the truck accident. Pennsylvania follows a comparative negligence doctrine, which states that if the injury victims is found less than 51 percent at fault for the accident, they will be able to recover damages. But if you are found partially at fault, you will see a reduction in your reward.
Ability to work. If you are severed injured, you might not be able to return to your job and may need to take a position with lesser pay. If you can’t return to work, you may be eligible for loss of earning capacity damages. This compensation will make up the difference between what you earned before the accident and what you currently earn.
Property damage. Property damage also plays a major part in your truck accident case. If your 3-year-old vehicle was totaled in the accident, for example, you could receive compensation to pay for the cost of that vehicle.

To determine how much your truck accident claim is worth, it’s best to speak with an experienced PA truck wreck lawyer right away. Call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in PA

Truck accidents are often more complex than typical car accidents due to heavy vehicles’ size, weight, and operational requirements. Understanding the common causes of these accidents is crucial in identifying liability and pursuing justice for victims. At Munley Law, we have identified several frequent causes of truck accidents based on our extensive experience in handling these cases:

Driver Fatigue: Truck drivers often face grueling schedules that can lead to exhaustion. Despite strict regulations on driving hours imposed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), driver fatigue remains a leading cause of truck accidents. Tired drivers are less alert, have slower reaction times, and are more prone to making critical errors on the road.
Improper Loading: How a truck’s cargo is loaded can significantly impact its handling on the road. Overloading, uneven loading, or inadequate cargo securing can lead to losing control, especially when maneuvering sharp turns or during sudden stops. Cargo that shifts or spills can also create hazards for other road users.
Mechanical Failures: Regular maintenance and inspection are mandatory for all commercial vehicles, yet mechanical failures still occur and contribute to accidents. Common issues include brake failures, tire blowouts, and defective truck engine problems. These failures can be due to negligence in vehicle maintenance or manufacturer defects.
Distracted Driving: Like all road users, truck drivers can become distracted by mobile devices, navigation systems, or other activities unrelated to driving. Distracted driving is particularly hazardous for truck operators because a heavy vehicle can cause significant damage in just a fraction of a second of inattention.
Speeding and Reckless Driving: Operating a truck at high speeds dramatically increases the risk of accidents. Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to stop or maneuver safely, particularly in adverse weather conditions or congested traffic areas. Reckless driving behaviors such as aggressive lane changes or failing to yield the right of way can also lead to serious accidents.
Inadequate Driver Training: Driving a large commercial truck safely requires specialized training and skills. Inadequately trained drivers may not be equipped to handle the complexities of operating heavy vehicles, leading to judgment errors and road accidents.
Poor Weather Conditions: Adverse weather conditions such as rain, snow, ice, or fog can be particularly challenging for truck drivers. These conditions require additional precautions and adjustments in driving practices, which, if not properly followed, can increase the likelihood of an accident.
Influence of Alcohol and Drugs: Although commercial drivers are subject to strict drug and alcohol regulations, incidents of driving under the influence still occur and pose a significant safety threat. Substance use impairs a motorist’s cognitive functions and reaction times, making safe driving nearly impossible.

How Are Truck Accidents Different From Car Accidents?

Commercial truck accidents can differ from car accidents in various ways. Not only are you dealing with a larger vehicle — on average, an 18-wheeler can weigh 80,000 pounds, 20 times the weight of a passenger vehicle — but truck drivers must follow specific federal regulations that the typical driver does not have to follow. For example, a truck driver cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty; however, many truck drivers ignore this rule to meet deadlines or obtain a financial incentive from the trucking company.

Other ways truck accidents can differ from car crashes include:

Multiple parties can be held responsible. In a typical car accident, one or both drivers can be held accountable. However, in a truck accident, various parties could be held liable for the accident, such as the commercial truck driver, the truck company, the truck manufacturer, and the company that loaded the vehicle.
Insurance policies are larger for tractor-trailers. Truck insurance is more expensive than your average car insurance policy. This means an insurance claim adjuster will do everything possible to ensure the fault lies on the car driver’s shoulders to prevent a huge payout.
Truck accident injuries are usually catastrophic. The larger the vehicle, the more likely the injuries will be. Serious injuries lead to extensive medical bills and loss of work. Truck accidents can be devastating. This is why speaking to a commercial truck accident lawyer with experience, knowledge, and a track record is vital to protecting your claim and standing up for your rights.

How Much Does Hiring a Pennsylvania Truck Accident Attorney Cost?

Our experienced truck accident attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. Under this model, we only get paid if we win, and our fees are simply subtracted from the settlement or verdict. This allows injury victims to work with an attorney without worrying about paying lawyer fees.

While fighting your case, we will never charge you a penny. Instead, we will pay all costs out of our pocket, and you will never get a bill from us. As always, the initial consultation with us is free, allowing you to ask questions and learn what needs to be done on your case before hiring us.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania

The moments right after a collision can be the scariest of your life. However, knowing what to do after a catastrophic semi-truck accident will put you ahead. Following these steps will also maximize the likelihood and the amount of compensation for your injuries.

After a crash with a tractor-trailer, make sure you:

Stay calm.
Remain inside your vehicle as long as it is safe. Remember to turn on your hazard lights.
Call 911 and report the collision.
Stay where you are until the police and paramedics arrive.
Take photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles, and any injuries.
Record the names and contact information of any witnesses.
Gather the contraction information of all parties involved. Also, get the names of the truck driver’s employer and owner.
Write down the responding police officer’s name, station, and badge number. Ask for instructions about when and how to obtain a copy of the police report.
Go to the nearest hospital to seek medical attention for yourself and your passengers, even if you do not think anyone is injured.
Report the accident to your car insurance company and obtain a copy of the accident claim.
Do not discuss the crash with anyone except the police, medical staff, attorney, and insurance agent. Do not state any other driver’s insurance carriers.
Contact an experienced attorney to obtain maximum compensation.

What If the Truck Company’s Insurance Carrier Calls Me?

If the truck company or insurer calls you and you do not have a truck accident lawyer, you should not agree to make a recorded statement. Do not sign any forms they send you. You do not even have to talk to them. Instead, call us for a free consultation. We will review all paperwork and requests and advise you about your case’s best action.

If you find yourself conversing with the insurance company, keep your statements brief. Stick to the facts of the case, and do not discuss the severity of your injuries.

How to Choose the Best Truck Accident Lawyers in Pennsylvania

At Munley Law, our car and truck crash lawyers don’t just follow the best practices; we create them. As a result, lawyers, judges, and industry experts around the country recognize Munley Law’s truck accident expertise. We are board-certified truck accident attorneys with national recognition for our work in truck accident litigation. Our lawyers speak nationwide about truck accident law, helping other attorneys with their auto accident cases.

After a truck accident, you need more than just legal counsel; you need an advocate familiar with the nuances of the trucking industry. A Pennsylvania truck accident law firm provides this knowledge; you get fair compensation for your injuries.