If you lost a loved one in a collision involving a commercial truck, Munley Law’s award-winning Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers can help you pursue justice and compensation with compassion and experience. For nearly 70 years, we have represented families in wrongful death cases and recovered more than $1 billion for clients, including a $19.8 million settlement involving a distracted truck driver.
Munley Law is the only Pennsylvania firm with three attorneys board-certified in Truck Accident Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Our lawyers have also earned recognition from Best Lawyers, the International Society of Barristers, the Litigation Counsel of America, and Martindale-Hubbell, which awarded all five partners AV Preeminent ratings.
Contact Munley Law today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Pennsylvania fatal truck accident lawyer. We are available 24/7, and you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Why Do Families Choose Munley Law After a Fatal Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?
Munley Law’s award-winning truck accident lawyers have built a solid reputation for their expert handling of these cases. Partners Marion and Daniel Munley, along with Katie Nealon, have board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy. At the same time, Marion and Daniel also have board certification from the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
Super Lawyers named Marion Munley to the Top 10 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania for the past three years. She has also been named to the Top 100 Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania and the Top 50 Women Super Lawyers in Pennsylvania. Legal Intelligencer named her a Pennsylvania Trailblazer, while Lawyers of Distinction named Daniel a Lawyer of Distinction. Also recognizing our lawyers’ excellence, the National Trial Lawyers named Marion Munley and Daniel Munley to the Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyers.
We take pride in achieving results that speak for themselves. Among our truck accident client victories are:
- $26 million truck accident recovery
- $19.8 million fatal truck accident settlement
- $11 million trucking verdict
- $9.95 million settlement for a mother tragically hit head-on by a tractor-trailer
Our Pennsylvania fatal truck accident lawyers will investigate every aspect of the accident in which you lost your loved one, work diligently to determine liability, build the strongest case possible, and fight to help you receive justice and the compensation available.
How Does Munley Law’s No-Win, No-Fee Policy Work?
Munley Law makes legal services affordable and accessible when you are reeling from the death of a loved one after a fatal truck accident. With our contingency fee approach, you do not pay anything unless we win your case. Our team only collects its fees from settlements and verdicts, so you don’t have to worry about paying us directly when finances are tight. You never have to second-guess whether we have your interests at heart or if you can afford legal services. Call today to speak with an experienced fatal truck accident attorney now.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer at Munley Law
Call Us At 844-686-5397 How Common Are Fatal Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania?
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation reported 7,312 reportable heavy truck accidents in 2024, resulting in 147 fatalities. According to data from the National Safety Council, 5,218 large trucks were involved in fatal accidents in 2024, and a total of 5,340 individuals died as a result. These numbers have steadily increased over the last decade, indicating a rise in danger and negligence. The data also shows a disproportionate number of fatalities occurring to motor vehicle occupants (70.3%) compared to truck drivers (17.2%). Some commonalities among fatal truck conditions include:
- More accidents occur in rural areas (55.67%) than they do in urban areas (44.33%)
- Approximately 75.08% of accidents occur on non-interstate roads, compared with 24.92% on highways
- Fatal crashes are more likely to happen during the day (62.09%) as opposed to nighttime (37.91%)
- Only a small percentage of fatal accidents occur in work zones (5.15%), while the majority occur in places without construction (94.85%)
These trends highlight when, where, and how truck fatalities can occur, as well as when to be most alert. While the number of fatal crashes has decreased slightly over the last couple of years, that is not the case overall.
What Are the Common Causes of Fatal Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania?
Fatal truck accidents are primarily caused by negligent acts that could have been avoided. This can appear as failing to accommodate conditions in their environment or failing to fulfill their obligations. Some common factors that contribute to fatal accidents may include the following:
- Exhaustion
- Speeding, reckless driving, or aggressive driving
- Distractions
- Low visibility
- No zones
- Wet or slippery road conditions
- Weather conditions such as rain or fog
- Improperly loaded or balanced cargo
- Equipment failure or faulty mechanical parts
- Poor maintenance
- Inexperience
Our Pennsylvania fatal truck accident lawyers thoroughly evaluate the factors involved in an accident to develop a comprehensive picture of how the crash occurred. Our investigations also shed light on who is at fault for the accident and who can be held liable for the incident. Your lawyer is familiar with what to look for in these situations and how to communicate with the various parties involved.
Which Pennsylvania Roads Have the Highest Risk of Fatal Truck accidents?
Pennsylvania is a large state with diverse terrain and a vast network of highways and roads that regularly support a high volume of traffic. It is also a common thoroughfare for large trucks. All of these factors combine to create numerous dangerous roads with conditions that can result in fatalities. Interstates 83, 80, 95, 78, and 81 are among the most destructive and contribute to a high number of deaths every year.
Additionally, if you are driving through Philadelphia, Pennsylvania’s largest city, it is essential to be aware of hazardous routes throughout the city that can also contribute to fatal truck accidents. These include Roosevelt Boulevard, the Delaware and Schuylkill Expressways, Broad Street, and Leigh and Bustleton Avenues.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Fatal Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Your case cannot be fully resolved until the at-fault party’s negligence is identified and established. There are many layers of liability and potential defendants in truck accidents, so Pennsylvania fatal truck accident attorneys must examine the accident from all angles and consider various intricacies. As part of your case, your lawyer will satisfy the standard of negligence. This is a legal requirement that uses four elements to determine liability.
First, truck drivers, trucking companies, cargo loaders, mechanics, and manufacturers all have a duty of care to remain alert at all times and take the proper measures to promote safety. They are supposed to follow:
- The rules of the road
- Trucking guidelines
- Loading requirements
- Safety checks
When any one of these parties acts in a way that endangers others, they have breached their duty and run the risk of causing harm. Violations will appear differently for each party involved, but all are based on negligence, intentional acts, or a lack thereof.
As a result, these parties can cause accidents that injure you and others. Their carelessness results in the exact outcome they are obligated to prevent. Causation is the key to a case because it demonstrates that negligence occurred and who is at fault.
Finally, the party shown to be at fault for the accident is obligated to pay damages to make up for the unexpected harm they caused. Damages may come from the insurance company or directly from the party themself. Many factors may influence the amount and distribution of compensation, so seek counsel from an experienced fatal truck accident lawyer at Munley Law.
Who Can Receive Compensation Following a Wrongful Death Truck Accident?
Fatal truck accidents are tragic events that take the life of an individual much too soon. While this type of loss is felt by many people close to the deceased, not everyone has the right to take legal action after a truck fatality occurs. According to 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301, a wrongful death claim is designed to benefit a decedent’s spouse, children, or parents. 
If the decedent was not married, had children, or had surviving parents, their personal representative may file a claim instead. The purpose of this action is to recover compensation to cover medical costs, funeral and burial expenses, and any applicable administration fees.
Additionally, to be eligible to file a wrongful death lawsuit after a fatal truck accident, the decedent must have had the right to recover damages if they had lived. If the decedent could have pursued legal action, then that right transfers to the applicable beneficiaries, allowing them to recover on their behalf instead.
Can You Still Recover Compensation If the Victim Was Partially at Fault?
There may be times when the decedent was partially at fault for causing the accident. While this may be difficult to consider, it does not mean that you cannot still recover compensation on their behalf.
Pennsylvania has a modified comparative negligence law, 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 7102, that allows individuals to receive compensation reduced by their assigned percentage of fault. As long as the contribution was less than 50%, you can still recover damages for your loved one. In any situation where the fault exceeds 50%, recovery is prohibited. To achieve the most favorable outcome possible, it is essential to hire a Pennsylvania fatal truck accident attorney promptly.
What Compensation is Available in a Fatal Truck Accident Case in Pennsylvania?
The family may receive two forms of compensation: economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are designed to provide a financial buffer in the wake of your loved one’s death. This type of compensation covers the decedent’s end-of-life medical care, and funeral and burial expenses. It can also fill the gap caused by the decedent’s lost income, services, and/or inheritance.
Non-economic Damages
Losing a loved one in an accident that could have been avoided is excruciating. The trauma you have suffered can negatively impact many aspects of your life, which is why this type of compensation focuses on your pain and suffering. You can also recover damages for your:
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment and companionship
- Symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are reserved for very specific circumstances. When a fatality occurs because of extreme negligence or malice, the at-fault party is required to pay out additional compensation as a punishment. These additional damages are designed to cover the losses you suffered above and beyond what you would have in any other situation. It is essential to talk with your lawyer to see if these damages apply to your circumstances.
To recover compensation on behalf of your loved one, it is important to be mindful of Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations after a fatal truck accident. The state generally restricts all claims to two years before barring any further recovery. It can take time to build a case, so seeking out a lawyer as soon as possible will increase your ability to receive the benefits you are entitled to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Fatal Truck Accident Claims
How Long Does a Fatal Truck Accident Lawsuit Usually Take in Pennsylvania?
Fatal truck accident claims often take several months to more than a year, depending on how complex the case is. Investigations involving commercial trucking companies typically require extensive evidence collection, accident reconstruction, and review of driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and corporate safety practices.
Cases involving disputed liability or multiple defendants may take longer, especially if the trucking company or insurer aggressively contests the claim. While many cases settle before trial, Munley Law prepares every case as if it will go before a jury.
Can a Trucking Company Be Held Liable for a Fatal Accident?
Yes. Trucking companies may be held liable if they fail to properly hire, train, supervise, or monitor a driver. They may also be responsible for forcing drivers to violate hours-of-service rules or neglecting vehicle maintenance requirements.
In many fatal truck accident claims, liability extends beyond the driver alone. Cargo companies, maintenance contractors, truck manufacturers, and other third parties may also share responsibility.
Are Fatal Truck Accident Settlements Taxable in Pennsylvania?
In many cases, compensation for physical injuries or wrongful death damages is not considered taxable income under federal law. However, punitive damages and certain interest awards may be taxable.
Because every financial situation differs, families should speak with both their attorney and a qualified tax professional before resolving a settlement.
Can Families File a Lawsuit If the Victim Dies Days or Weeks After the Crash?
Yes. A wrongful death claim may still be filed if the victim initially survived the accident but later died from related injuries. Medical records and expert testimony can help establish the connection between the crash and the death. In these situations, families may also pursue a survival action (42 Pa. C.S. § 8302), which is a similar type of claim that aims to the recover damages the victim would ahve been entitled to had they survived, such as pain and suffering, and medical treatment before death.
Why Are Truck Accidents Often More Deadly Than Car Accidents?
Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, making collisions with passenger vehicles especially severe. Their size, extended stopping distance, and higher center of gravity increase the likelihood of catastrophic injuries and fatalities.
Victims in smaller vehicles often suffer devastating trauma, including crush injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and fatal internal injuries. Highway-speed collisions involving tractor-trailers are particularly dangerous.
Why Is It Important to Hire a Lawyer Quickly After a Fatal Truck Accident?
Critical evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly. Electronic data may be overwritten, surveillance footage erased, and trucking records lost if legal action is delayed. Hiring an attorney early allows for immediate investigation, evidence preservation, witness interviews, and communication with insurers. Prompt legal representation can make a substantial difference in the strength and value of a case.
Let Munley Law’s Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyers Be Your Advocate During a Difficult Time
Munley Law is a compassionate support system after a truck accident fatality. We take the lead in your case so you can focus on grieving and healing. Our Pennsylvania fatal truck accident lawyers have spent almost seven decades holding negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and insurers accountable for the harm they cause. We conduct thorough investigations, preserve critical evidence, work with accident reconstruction experts, and aggressively negotiate for compensation.
Our goal is to protect your rights and fight to secure compensation, so this devastating accident does not take any more from you than it already has. Whether through settlement or trial, our award-winning legal team is prepared to fight for the justice your loved one deserves while guiding your family through every step of the legal process. When you contact us to schedule a free consultation, you will receive prompt, empathetic support to help you secure the resources you need.
Robert W. Munley, III
Robert W. Munley, III is a highly experienced and award-winning auto accident lawyer and courtroom advocate. Bob was named to Best Lawyers in 2013, and has since then gone on to be named among the Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers in America and the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania by the National Trial Lawyers Association. Among the thousands of victims Bob has served, notable cases he has helped with include a $17.5 million jury verdict for a teen death caused by a car accident, and an $8 million settlement for the family of a decorated Marine who was killed in an accident involving two large trucks.
