West Chester Truck Accident Lawyer

Being involved in a truck accident is unlike any other accident. Occupants in passenger vehicles are subject to the impact of a vehicle that can be over 20 times the car’s weight and size. Because of that difference alone, truck accident victims face catastrophic injuries and even death.

West Chester, a historical Pennsylvanian town that sits in between Philadelphia and Wilmington, has major trucking routes that run through it. Route 202 and Highway 322 see constance commercial truck traffic mingling with local drivers. While these trucks and their truck drivers serve an essential role in Pennsylvania and the United States’ economy, their presence makes the roads inherently more dangerous for regular drivers.

At Munley Law, our West Chester truck accident attorneys understand the devastating physical, emotional, and financial impact truck accidents have on victims and their families. Our experienced attorneys have helped thousands of Pennsylvania residents rebuild their lives after truck accidents, securing compensation they need for medical treatment, lost wages, property damage, and other losses. If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, turn to Munley Law for guidance on your rights and legal options. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.

How Munley Law Supports Truck Accident Victims in West Chester

The Munley law firm has been practicing personal injury law since 1959. Since opening our doors, our attorneys have helped recover compensation for victims of slip and falls, work-related injuries, medical malpractice, and other types of personal injuries. However, over the years, our attorneys have developed a specialization in truck accidents. In fact, one of our senior partners, Marion Munley, is Triple Board Certified in Civil Trial, Civil Practice and Truck Law and was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018. Her work led to one of the largest truck accident settlements in history.

Our truck accident lawyers walk you through the entire claims process – from filing your paperwork to taking your claim to court. We will make sure deadlines are met and all liable parties are held accountable.

Our legal team conducts its own independent investigation of the truck accident. We work with accident reconstruction specialists to document evidence at the accident scene. We team up with trucking safety specialists to go over trucking company practices and log books. And we consult with medical professionals to understand the details of your injuries. These experts help us understand technical aspects of your case and can testify about industry standards, regulation violations, or the extent of your injuries.

For our West Chester clients, we provide personalized attention throughout the entire legal process. We handle all communication with insurance companies, gather and analyze medical records, and calculate both current and future damages. Our team regularly works with medical experts to understand the full scope of our clients’ injuries and future care needs. We understand that many truck accident victims worry about affording legal representation. That’s why Munley Law operates on a contingency fee basis – you don’t pay anything unless we win your case. We offer free initial consultations where we can discuss your situation and explain how we might help.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in West Chester

The actions you take immediately following a truck accident can help protect your safety and the validity of your personal injury claim. Here’s what you should do:

• Call 911 immediately, even if the accident seems minor. The responding police officer will facilitate getting the medical care you and your passengers need. They will also start documenting the scene, which will be valuable evidence in your truck accident case.
• Seek immediate medical attention. Truck accidents often cause injuries that aren’t immediately apparent due to adrenaline and shock. Some serious conditions, like internal bleeding or head trauma, may not show symptoms right away. Getting prompt medical care creates a clear record linking your injuries to the accident.
• If your medical needs are taken care of, start gathering evidence at the scene. Use your phone to take photos and videos of all the vehicles involved from multiple angles. Take pictures of your vehicle damage, debris on the road, and any visible skid marks. Take pictures of the surrounding area, including traffic signals, road signs, and weather conditions. These details might seem minor at the time but can prove essential later.
• Collect information from everyone involved in the accident. Get the truck driver’s name, contact information, and commercial driver’s license number. Note the trucking company’s name and contact details. Record the truck’s DOT number, which is usually visible on the side of the vehicle. If there are witnesses, ask for their contact information and if they’d be willing to give a brief statement about what they saw.
• Contact your insurance company to report the accident, but keep your statements brief and factual. Don’t discuss fault or make detailed statements about your injuries. Insurance adjusters may use your words to minimize your claim. Wait to speak with a Munley West Chester truck accident lawyer before giving any recorded statements or signing documents from insurance companies.

Liability in West Chester Truck Accidents

Truck accident cases often involve multiple liable parties, making them more complex than car accidents. An experienced West Chester personal injury lawyer at Munley Law will determine all the liable parties involved and name them as defendants in the personal injury lawsuit.

While this list is not comprehensive, the most common liable parties in truck accidents are:

• Truck driver: Truck drivers may bear primary responsibility when their actions directly cause an accident. This includes situations involving speeding, unsafe lane changes, or driving under the influence. Driver fatigue also plays a major role in many accidents, especially when operators violate federal hours-of-service regulations. Distracted driving, including use of mobile phones or onboard computers while driving, contributes to many crashes.
• Trucking companies: Trucking companies often share responsibility for accidents. They might cut corners on maintenance, push drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, or fail to properly screen and train their employees. Some companies ignore federal safety regulations to increase profits. When these practices contribute to an accident, the company may be held liable alongside the driver.
• Third parties: Third parties can also bear responsibility. This includes maintenance companies that perform inadequate repairs, loading companies that improperly secure cargo, or manufacturers of defective truck parts. Even government entities might share liability if poor road maintenance or inadequate signage contributed to the accident.

It’s important to note that Pennsylvania law follows comparative negligence rules, which means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault, and you cannot recover any compensation if you’re found more than 50% responsible for the crash.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Chester County

Truck accidents, like any other motor vehicle accident, occur for a variety of reasons. The causes we need to focus on are causes due to negligence. Negligence is the failure to take proper care in doing something. When you’re injured in an avoidable accident and your life is forever changed because someone failed to take proper precautions or care, you deserve to be compensated for their negligence. It’s that simple. The most common causes of truck accidents in West Chester, PA are:

• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Bad weather
• Poor road conditions
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Cargo loading issues

What Compensation Can You Claim After a West Chester Truck Crash?

In truck accident cases, there are two main forms of monetary compensation available to the victims: economic and non-economic damages.

Economic damages cover all financial losses related to your accident. Current medical expenses include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, and medications. Future medical bills might involve ongoing physical therapy, rehabilitation services, or long-term care needs. Lost wages compensate you for time missed from work, while lost earning capacity covers reduced ability to earn income in the future. Property damage, including vehicle repair or replacement, falls under economic damages.

Non-economic damages address the accident’s impact on your quality of life. Physical pain and suffering can last long after your immediate injuries heal. Emotional distress might include anxiety, depression, or fear of driving. Loss of enjoyment of life compensates you when injuries prevent participation in activities you once enjoyed. If your injuries affect your relationship with your spouse, you might claim loss of consortium.

In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded on top of economic and non-economic damages. These damages are meant to punish the defendant rather than award the victim. During your free consultation with a PA truck accident lawyer, you can discuss if punitive damages are appropriate for your claim.

Serious Injuries Common in Truck Accidents in West Chester, PA

As we said before, there is a massive size difference between commercial vehicles and passenger vehicles. The disparity often results in severe injuries and even fatalities for car occupants. Serious and even fatal injuries include:

• Spinal cord injuries, which can range from herniated discs to complete paralysis. Treatment might include multiple surgeries, lengthy rehabilitation, and adaptive equipment. Many spinal injury victims need home modifications and ongoing personal care assistance. The lifetime cost of these injuries can reach millions of dollars.
• Traumatic brain injuries affect victims in unpredictable ways. Some people experience memory problems or difficulty concentrating. Others face personality changes or struggle with basic daily tasks. Recovery often requires cognitive therapy, occupational therapy, and long-term rehabilitation. Many TBI victims cannot return to their previous employment.
• Internal injuries may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. Organ damage, internal bleeding, and rib fractures often require emergency surgery. Recovery may involve extended hospital stays and careful monitoring for complications. Some internal injuries lead to chronic health issues requiring ongoing medical care.
• Severe burns and lacerations occur when fuel tanks rupture or vehicles catch fire. These injuries often require skin grafts and reconstructive surgery. Burns can cause lasting nerve damage and restricted movement. Many victims face extensive physical therapy and psychological counseling to deal with permanent scarring.

Pennsylvania Trucking Laws You Need to Know

Along with traffic laws we all know and follow, truck drivers have additional laws set in place by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to protect all drivers on the road.

Hours of service regulations aim to prevent driver fatigue. Commercial drivers cannot drive more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. They must take regular breaks and cannot exceed 60/70 hours on duty in 7/8 consecutive days. Companies must track these hours using electronic logging devices (ELDs), which provide valuable evidence in accident cases.

Weight restrictions protect road safety and infrastructure. Pennsylvania sets maximum weights based on truck type and axle configuration. Weigh stations along major highways monitor compliance. Overloaded trucks take longer to stop and are more likely to experience mechanical failures. Weight violations often indicate broader safety issues within trucking companies.

Vehicle maintenance requirements mandate regular inspections and repairs. Drivers must perform daily pre-trip inspections covering brakes, tires, lights, and other safety equipment. Companies must maintain detailed maintenance records and address defects promptly. These records become important evidence when mechanical failures cause accidents.

Drug and alcohol testing rules apply before hiring, randomly during employment, and after accidents. Drivers must submit to testing within specific timeframes following crashes. Positive test results or refused tests can establish liability and support claims for punitive damages.

Why Truck Accident Cases Are More Complex

Corporate involvement distinguishes truck accidents from typical West Chester car crashes. Trucking companies have teams of lawyers and investigators working to minimize their liability. They often send representatives to accident scenes immediately, gathering evidence that might help their defense. Quick action by your personal injury lawyer helps preserve evidence and protect your interests.

Federal regulations create additional layers of investigation. Hours of service logs, maintenance records, and driver qualification files must be analyzed for violations. Black box data from the truck’s electronic control module can provide critical information about speed, braking, and driver actions before the crash. This technical evidence requires expert interpretation.

Insurance policies in commercial trucking often have multi-million dollar limits, raising the stakes for all parties. Multiple insurance companies may be involved, each trying to minimize their exposure. These complex coverage issues require careful negotiation to ensure fair compensation.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a West Chester Truck Accident Lawyer

Working with injured victims for the last 65 years has taught our truck accident attorneys one thing: the claims process is stressful and overwhelming. We understand that we are meeting our clients at the very worst moments in their lives. That’s why we work around the clock to make sure we settle your case quickly and successfully.

During your consultation, we’ll listen to your story and explain how Pennsylvania law applies to your situation. We’ll answer your questions about the legal process and discuss potential strategies for your case. Don’t wait to get help after a truck accident. Evidence disappears quickly, and delays can hurt your case. Contact our West Chester office today to schedule your free consultation and learn how a Munley Law  truck accident lawyer can help protect your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys

1617 John F Kennedy Blvd
Suite 1690,
Philadelphia, PA 19103
(215) 515-7747