Tractor Trailer Accidents

The Munley Law tractor trailer truck accident lawyers have won millions for our clients, securing their financial future amid overwhelming uncertainty. We deeply understand what you and your family are going through, and we are confident we can help.

Your initial consultation with one of our trucking accident attorneys is always free. Call today to speak with an experienced trucking lawyer who will guide you through the claims process and spearhead your case.

The Role of a Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney

Simply put, your truck accident lawyers should completely take over the truck accident claim for you. Your only responsibility during the process should be to recover and start to rebuild your life. Here is what your truck accident lawyer should be handling:

• Determining Liable Parties: The truck accident attorneys will gather evidence from the accident scene, interview eyewitnesses, and analyze crash data to identify all parties that can be held accountable for the truck accident.
• File the paperwork: Legal paperwork is time-consuming and confusing. A single mistake can render your claim void. A truck accident lawyer will handle all the paperwork and file your claim promptly.
• Build a strong case: After filing your claim, the truck accident attorneys will get to work proving negligence. They will examine medical records, hire expert witnesses, speak with medical consultants and accident reconstruction specialists, and study relevant documentation to build a compelling case that reflects the extent of your damages.
• Negotiate with the insurance companies: Your truck accident lawyer will handle all communication with the insurance company, aiming to secure a fair settlement that will offset the costs of the accident.
• Take your case to court: If a settlement cannot be reached, your truck accident lawyers will take your case to court, working to secure a favorable verdict.

Why Are Tractor Trailer Accidents Often Catastrophic?

While collisions involving large trucks can be devastating, tractor-trailer accidents carry an additional risk—underside accidents. Due to their significant height and blind spots, smaller vehicles can become wedged under the trailer, leading to crushing injuries, rollovers, and fatalities. A car accident with a tractor trailer can cause a domino effect of catastrophes that impact individuals, property, and the surrounding environment. Here are some of the potential types of catastrophes that can occur:

• Injuries and Fatalities: The size and weight disparity between tractor-trailers and other vehicles involved in collisions often results in severe or fatal injuries for occupants of smaller cars.
• Hazardous Material Spills: Many tractor-trailers transport hazardous materials, such as flammable liquids, toxic chemicals, or radioactive substances. In the event of an accident, these materials can spill or leak, posing a serious threat to public health and the environment.
• Economic Disruptions: Beyond the immediate human cost, a tractor-trailer truck accident can have a significant economic impact. Road closures, infrastructure damage, and the need for emergency response resources can disrupt business operations, transportation networks, and supply chains.

Potential Defendants in a Tractor Trailer Crash Case

Determining who is liable for a tractor-trailer accident involves looking at different parties who may have contributed to the incident. Here are some potential defendants in truck accident litigation:

• Truck Driver: The most common defendants in truck accident cases are the truck drivers, especially if their negligence directly caused the accident.
• Truck Company: The trucking company that employs the driver could be held responsible for negligent hiring, inadequate training, failing to maintain the commercial vehicle properly, or pressuring drivers to violate safety regulations.
• Loading Company: The company or individual responsible for loading the cargo onto the trailer can be at fault if improper loading practices contributed to the truck accident, causing the cargo to shift or fall during transport.
• Truck Manufacturers: If a defective component on the commercial truck, like brakes or tires, malfunctioned and caused the accident, the manufacturer may be held accountable.
• Government Agencies: In rare cases, government entities responsible for road maintenance might be named as defendants if poorly maintained roads or inadequate signage caused the accident.
• Third parties: Sometimes, car accidents can involve tractor-trailers. If another motorist caused an accident with you and a tractor-trailer driver, that driver could be liable for the entire truck accident.

Common Causes of Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), tractor-trailer accidents resulted in 3,509 deaths in 2021 alone—that’s 74% of all deaths from large truck accidents. Nationally, there were 523,796 large truck accidents in 2021. Unfortunately, that trend has increased since 2020, when just over 415,000 accidents occurred.

Multiple factors can come into play in a single tractor-trailer accident. Distracted driving and speeding can cause a devastating truck crash in one moment. Driving while fatigued and with poor visibility can create the perfect storm for trucking accidents. Let’s take a look at other common causes we frequently see in truck accident claims:

• Speeding
• Driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• Large blind spots
• Aggressive driving
• Drowsy driving
• Distracted driving
• Poorly maintained commercial trucks
• Bad weather
• Poor road conditions
• Improper cargo loading
• Unfamiliar routes

Types of Injuries in Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents

Due to its size and weight, tractor trailer accidents usually result in life-changing injuries that will involve long-term medical care. The most common tractor-trailer injuries our law firm sees are:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Injuries
• Broken bones and fractures
• Neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Amputations
• Lacerations
• Internal injuries, including organ damage and internal bleeding
• Burns
• Disfigurement

It’s important to note that while these are the most common injuries, they are not the only injuries you can sustain. You may still have a case if you were injured in a tractor-trailer accident but do not see your specific injury listed here. Call to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers, who will help you determine if you have a claim against a negligent truck driver.

Compensation In a Tractor Trailer Accident Case

The damages you can be awarded in a truck accident claim are damages for:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Punitive Damages
• Wrongful death

How to Maximize Compensation and Settlements?

To maximize compensation, experienced attorneys will prove you were completely blameless in the crash and that your actions did not contribute to the accident.

What You Should Do After a Tractor Trailer Truck Accident

Taking the following steps immediately following a tractor-trailer truck accident will ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers. Here’s what you should do:

• Call 911 immediately. The responding officers can quickly provide medical care to any injured party who needs it. They will also begin an initial investigation of the accident scene and generate an accident report.
• Seek medical attention: Some injuries, especially internal ones, are not visible immediately. See a doctor, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Injuries can worsen or develop over time.
• Do not admit fault: In the immediate aftermath of a truck accident, you may say something like “I’m sorry” to the driver. Do not do that. Do not say anything construed as admitting fault for the truck accident. The best thing you can do is keep quiet and wait for the authorities to arrive.
• Gather information: In a truck accident case, there is no such thing as too much information. Record videos and photos of property damage, the injuries sustained, street signs, etc. Take down contact information, including the driver’s name and the trucking company he works for. Write down the license plate number and other relevant information. If there are eyewitnesses to the accident, write down their contact information.
• Report the truck accident: Call your insurance company and let them know about the truck accident. Do not speak with the insurance company claims adjuster without first speaking to a truck accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters are known to manipulate the facts of the truck crash to lowball your settlement offer. A truck accident lawyer will take over all correspondence with the insurance companies to ensure you recover the compensation you deserve.

Actions to Take in the Days After a Tractor Trailer Accident

In the days after the truck accident, after your immediate needs are taken care of, start researching and contacting a truck accident law firm. As noted previously, truck accident lawsuits are complex. You’ll need an experienced truck accident lawyer if you want a successful claim.

How Do You Deal with Tractor Trailer Truck Accidents in the Long Term?

The effects of a tractor-trailer truck accident go far beyond the initial chaos and pain it causes. Living with some of the injuries listed above can cost an individual and their family thousands and perhaps even millions of dollars throughout the victim’s lifetime. For example, a traumatic brain injury can cost anywhere between $600,000 and $1,875,000 over the survivor’s lifetime. Living with a permanent disability can leave truck accident victims with severe depression, anxiety, and a sense of worthlessness.

Similarly, spinal cord injuries may cost the victim between $300,000 and $1,000,000 in just the first year after the truck accident. Beyond that, living costs can be upwards of $200,000 annually. Like TBI patients, paralysis victims often experience a change in their personalities – a lifetime consequence of a devastating truck accident.

This is why personal injury claims and truck accident lawyers at Munley Law exist. No one prepares for a life-altering truck accident and the injuries it inflicts. We understand that filing a lawsuit after a catastrophic accident is the last thing on anyone’s mind. However, that truck accident lawsuit may be the difference between long-term financial security and financial ruin. Take the next step to secure your future and call the Munley truck accident attorneys to start your claim today.

Choosing the Best Tractor Trailer Truck Accident Lawyers at Munley Law

You can narrow down the search for the best truck accident lawyer by sticking to five key qualities:

• Experience: Your truck accident lawyer should have a proven track record of success. Look at their website’s “case results” page and pepper them with questions about past truck accident cases they handled during your initial consultation.
• Local Expertise: Truck drivers and trucking companies must adhere to federal and local laws. You want to work with a semi-truck accident attorney who is well-versed in federal and local Pennsylvania laws about commercial truck accidents.
• Resources and Network: Your truck accident lawyer should have access to a wide network of professionals who can help build a strong case. A smaller truck accident law firm doesn’t have the financial backing to undertake a legal battle with a large insurance company. Make sure the accident lawyer you work with has the means to build a successful case and see it through until the very end.
• Constant Communication: Your truck accident lawyer should prioritize clear and consistent communication, keeping you informed throughout the legal process. This is your claim and your financial future, after all. They should consider that fact with the utmost respect.
• Contingency Fee: We’ll take a deeper look at contingency fees below, but the last thing you’ll want to consider is truck accident lawyers who will absorb all the upfront costs of your case.

The experienced truck accident lawyers at Munley Law stand out as powerful advocates for victims. They offer a combination of experience, proven results, and unwavering commitment to our clients. Our legal team comprises attorneys consistently listed in Best Lawyers in America, hold leadership positions in the American Association for Justice Trucking Litigation Group, and are board-certified in Truck Accident Law.

We have secured millions for our clients in over 65 years of practice, including a $26 million truck accident settlement – the largest in the region for an individual plaintiff. We prioritize personalized care and compassion during your time of need. If you’re looking for truck accident lawyers who provide consistent support and communication throughout the process, call the Munley truck accident lawyers for a free consultation today.