When you have been involved in a truck accident, you need a Pennsylvania 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer who can stand up to the trucking companies and their legal teams on your behalf.
For almost 70 years, Munley Law has been helping clients get results that improve their quality of life and well-being. We’ve obtained legal victories, including $26 million and $19.8 million truck accident settlements for clients in Pennsylvania and beyond. Our board-certified attorneys’ expertise in this complex legal field is recognized far and wide. We’re routinely honored for our work by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and the National Trial Lawyers, and our partners have received accolades from Lawdragon, Irish Legal 100, and Martindale-Hubbell, which gave them its highest ratings – AV Preeminent.
Injuries from an 18-wheeler can leave you vulnerable, and our team protects your rights and fortifies you against opposing parties seeking to take advantage of you. We do not back down from a challenge when representing you and demand that opposing parties treat you fairly. A Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer will be your compassionate advocate and provide you with excellent service throughout your case. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 Why Choose Munley Law for Your 18-Wheeler Accident Case in Pennsylvania?
Cases involving 18-wheelers present unique challenges that require specialized legal expertise. Munley Law knows what it takes to identify and hold the liable party accountable. Our legal team brings deep expertise to truck and 18-wheeler accident litigation, with three attorneys, namely Marion Munley, Daniel Munley, and Katie Nealon, holding board certification from the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) in truck accident law.
We have recovered billions in settlements and verdicts for our clients, building a distinguished track record in this specialized field. Among these results are $11 million, $9.95 million, and $9 million truck accident settlements.
This track record continues to be recognized by our peers and by the most prestigious legal organizations. Marion Munley is currently the Vice President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ). She and Daniel Munley have also chaired the AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and were the first recipients of the group’s Robert W. Munley Pursuit of Justice Award. They’re also board certified by the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys, where they serve on the Board of Regents.
Marion Munley has been named to the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America list, while Legal Intelligencer named her a Pennsylvania Trailblazer. The National Trial Lawyers named her and Daniel Munley among the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers and named all our partners among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
With years of experience communicating and negotiating with the trucking industry, our firm knows the language and how to anticipate tactics that trucking companies may use to avoid taking responsibility for the accident. This insider knowledge helps us level the playing field and fight effectively for your deserved compensation.
Our team conducts thorough investigations while developing personalized strategies based on your unique circumstances, ensuring your case is optimized for the best possible outcome.
What Compensation Can You Recover in an 18-Wheeler Accident Case?
When you have suffered extensive injuries and losses from a collision with an 18-wheeler in Pennsylvania, recovering compensation is a top priority. Medical services are expensive, and the bills can snowball quickly. You have the right to take legal action against the party that hurt you and seek compensation from them. You have likely suffered various losses; damages are designed to help you recover as many of them as possible.
These may include economic and non-economic damages such as:
- A wide array of medical expenses, including rehabilitation, equipment, accommodations, and medications
- Property damage costs
- Lost wages or earning capacity
- End-of-life, funeral, and burial expenses for fatalities
- Lost or reduced inheritance
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Psychological distress, such as PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of companionship
Your expenses, pain, and suffering damages will be calculated differently and reflect the value and severity of each loss. Generally, Pennsylvania does not impose caps on economic damages you may recover. However, accidents that involve government trucks may not exceed $500,000, according to Pennsylvania Statute 42 §8553. To understand the value of your case and what you can recover, be sure to talk with your lawyer right away.
If you lost a loved one in an 18-wheeler accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim.
What is the Statute of Limitations on Recovering Compensation in Pennsylvania?
Swift action is key after you have been in an accident involving an 18-wheeler. Not only does the strength of your case decrease over time, but you only have two years under the statute of limitations [42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 (2)] to file a claim before forfeiting your right to action. To protect your right to recover compensation, it is essential to hire a Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer very soon after your accident to start building your case.
What are the Common Causes of 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania?
According to the most recent Pennsylvania Crash Facts and Statistics report, there were 6,805 crashes and 124 fatalities in truck collisions. These accidents primarily occurred on state and interstate highways. Accidents like these can result from many factors, some of which may be external and some due to human error. The most common causes of Pennsylvania truck accidents include:
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Mechanical defects
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Improper training
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Road conditions and reduced visibility
- Weather conditions
- Insufficient maintenance
In addition to these causes, a truck’s no-zones can be a considerable contributing factor in collisions. Because 18-wheelers are so large, their blind spots are much larger, and they can easily miss vehicles within these areas. In general, a truck’s no zones extend approximately 20 feet from the front bumper, from the driver’s door to halfway down the trailer, the length of the truck on the passenger side, and a few car lengths to the rear.
What are the Most Common Severe Injuries in an 18-Wheeler Collision?
While the outcome of a truck accident can vary, more often than not, these types of collisions tend to be more severe. This is due to the size and weight of a truck compared to a car. Smaller vehicles are more lightweight; therefore, they can be crushed more easily or pushed forward or backward more forcefully, depending on the direction of impact. Vehicles can also get caught in a truck’s underride area. These collisions can lead to the following injuries:
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck and chest injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Nerve and tissue damage
- Internal bleeding and damage
- Paralysis
- Disability and disfigurement
- Burns
- Death
Seek medical attention right away after an 18-wheeler accident. A quick response can mean the difference between life and death after an accident. Even if your injuries are minor, it is still essential to be looked at by a medical professional since not all injuries may show up right away. The insurance company and your lawyer will need a thorough assessment of your injuries, so keep all results, records, and medical bills.
Remember not to admit fault when speaking to law enforcement officers or insurance companies.
“At Munley Law, our mission is simple: to provide all injury victims equal access to justice, even against the most powerful entities. For almost 70 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
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Pennsylvania 18-Wheeler Accident?
Liability for an 18-wheeler accident is multi-layered and can involve many different parties. While some may play more of a direct role than others, all can be held accountable for contributing to an accident. Trucking accidents often require a thorough investigation to get to the root of who caused the accident. Below is a closer look at the different parties who can be held liable in a truck accident.
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers are often liable for accidents through carelessness or human error. They may disregard the rules of the road and speed, fail to follow hours of service regulations, or fail to take extra steps to check their blind spots. When drivers engage in these types of actions, they can be held liable for contributing to an accident.
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are responsible for maintaining and enforcing compliance with federal and state trucking regulations. When they deviate from these laws, they can indirectly contribute to the accident. Common examples of trucking company liability include hiring unqualified drivers and placing unrealistic expectations and time constraints on drivers. These actions endanger others by putting inexperienced or fatigued drivers on the road.
Mechanics and Maintenance Staff
Trucks travel millions of miles and sustain considerable wear and tear on their vehicles. Mechanical parts and worn tires must be replaced more often to keep up with the demands of the road. When 18-wheeler trucks do not receive regular or proper maintenance, or are serviced by negligent technicians, mechanics can be held accountable for failing to confirm the safety of the car, its driver, and other motorists by extension.
Cargo Loaders
Trucks such as 18-wheelers are subject to restrictions on how much weight they can carry. According to Pennsylvania weight regulations, single axle trucks are limited to 22,400 lbs, and tandem axles are limited to 38,000 lbs. The distribution of weight is also essential to keeping the truck balanced. When cargo loaders do not pay enough attention, they could overload a truck or balance it improperly, which could cause the truck to overturn and injure other motorists.
Manufacturers
Manufacturers can be held responsible when they put defective parts on the market. A flaw could exist in the design of the truck part itself, or it could have occurred during production. If the issues arise and are not checked or properly tested, then they could be purchased and placed in trucks. Trucks themselves could also have a defect in their design. These problems increase the risk that a truck driver may lose control of their vehicle and collide with other cars.
Investigating and Establishing Liability in an 18-Wheeler Accident Case in Pennsylvania
Because multiple parties can contribute to an 18-wheeler accident, these types of cases can be complicated and time-consuming. Pennsylvania 18-wheeler truck accident attorneys know the challenges and unique legal considerations associated with these cases, which is why hiring a lawyer at Munley Law is essential.
Our award-winning legal team will conduct in-depth investigations into the accident to determine what factors were at play. We will also closely evaluate the various parties mentioned above to discover what role they each may have had in the accident and whether they were liable. Once we have obtained this information and gathered evidence, we will build your case and establish the negligence of all applicable parties involved. This includes the four components below:
Duty
The party at fault was reasonably expected to fulfill their job with care and caution to promote the safety of others. For example, truck drivers are responsible for obeying traffic and trucking laws, trucking companies must ensure drivers are not overworked, mechanics and manufacturers should verify that parts function correctly, and cargo loaders are responsible for adhering to weight limits and load balance.
Breach
Whether through carelessness or intention, the at-fault party failed to act in alignment with their respective duties. A driver may speed, a trucking company may issue unrealistic deadlines, mechanics and manufacturers may not run essential safety checks, and cargo loaders may load too much weight onto the truck or a particular axle. These actions increase the risk of an accident and harm to others.
Cause
Causation is the linchpin of liability in a truck accident case. This is where a lawyer illustrates that actions, like the ones mentioned above, directly caused or contributed to the accident and your injuries. This cause and effect fully establishes the at-fault party’s negligence and their liability for the collision.
Damages
As a liable party, the person or entity who caused the accident must compensate you for your loss. This can include your monetary losses and the pain and suffering you have experienced. The amount the at-fault party must pay will depend on several factors, and an experienced lawyer can provide insight into the value of a settlement.
Can Being at Partial Fault Impact Your Ability to Recover Losses After a Pennsylvania Truck Accident?
As you can see, multiple parties could be at fault in an accident and held liable. However, there may also be times when you are found to be partially liable. When this happens, your first move should be to hire an experienced Pennsylvania 18-wheeler truck accident attorney who knows how to handle these matters and minimize your liability. Additionally, just because you may have contributed to the accident does not necessarily mean you cannot still recover your losses.
Pennsylvania operates on a modified comparative negligence system. Under 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102, any party found to be less than 50% at fault for an accident can recover compensation that has been proportionately reduced, while those who are more than 50% at fault cannot recover anything. For example, if the maximum value of your settlement was $150,000 and you were 20% at fault, then you could only recover $120,000.
Frequently Asked Questions About 18-Wheeler Truck Accidents
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Pennsylvania 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyer?
It costs nothing upfront to hire a Pennsylvania 18-wheeler accident lawyer. We handle these accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means you do not pay legal fees unless we recover compensation for you through a settlement or verdict. This allows victims to pursue justice without added financial stress.
What Should I Do After an 18-Wheeler Accident in Pennsylvania?
After an 18-wheeler accident in Pennsylvania, you should seek medical attention immediately, even if you believe your injuries are minor. If possible, take photos of the scene, gather witness information, and avoid discussing fault with the police or insurance companies before speaking with a lawyer. Hiring a lawyer as soon as possible can help preserve important evidence from the trucking company.
How Long Do I Have to File an 18-Wheeler Accident Claim in Pennsylvania?
Under Pennsylvania law, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file an 18-wheeler accident claim in Pennsylvania. Missing this deadline could prevent you from recovering compensation altogether. Speak with a Pennsylvania 18-wheeler accident lawyer as soon as possible to ensure your case is prepared properly and filed on time.
Can I Still Recover Compensation if I was Partially at Fault for the Truck Accident?
Yes, you can still recover compensation if you were partially at fault for the truck accident, provided your share of fault is less than 51%. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means your compensation will be reduced based on your percentage of fault. You cannot recover compensation if you are more than 51% at fault.
Why are 18-Wheeler Accident Cases More Complicated Than Regular Car Accident Claims?
18-wheeler accident cases are more complicated than regular car accident claims because they often involve multiple liable parties, including truck drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo loaders, and vehicle manufacturers. These claims also require knowledge of federal trucking regulations, black box data, driver logs, and industry practices. An experienced Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer can investigate these complex factors and build a strong case on your behalf.
Contact Munley Law’s Pennsylvania 18-Wheeler Accident Lawyers
When you entrust your case to Munley Law, you can be confident that you are in good hands. An 18-wheeler accident can wreak havoc on your life, but our team fights to ensure you are empowered to move forward again. We stand up to the trucking company for you and equip you with the resources you need to recover your losses.
To learn more about how we can serve you, contact us today to schedule 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.
