Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer

Due to the size and weight of trucks, a significant number of people in smaller cars or other vehicles that collide with large trucks end up dying. Researchers conducting a study of Pennsylvania truck accident fatalities found that:

• 17% of fatalities were truck occupants
• 66% of fatalities were passenger vehicle occupants
• 16% of fatalities were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists

Often, for the lucky people who don’t lose their lives in a truck accident, serious injuries still occur:

• Brain trauma
• Neck and back injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Internal organ damage
• Broken bones
• Paralysis
• Amputation
• Disfigurement and scarring

After looking at your case, if it is clear that a trucking company was at fault, we will make sure to gather the necessary evidence and look over the entire accident. Trucking companies often have powerful attorneys and paid investigators who they will use to try to prove that the fault does not lie with them. No one wants to get sued. One of the keys to proving liability in a Pennsylvania truck accident case is having a knowledgeable attorney on your side.

It is important to note that any of the following individuals or entities could be liable for a truck accident in Philly:

• Truck driver
• Truck driver’s employer
• Truck or trailer owner
• Contractor
• Leasing company owner
• Manufacturer of a faulty truck part
• Cargo loaders

For individuals hurt in truck accidents, the ultimate goal of a civil lawsuit is to recover financial compensation. The value of every settlement is different, depending on the facts. While it is impossible to estimate with certainty what a plaintiff will recover, there are certain types of damages usually included in a claim, such as:

Lost Wages

Serious injuries frequently leave a person unable to work in the aftermath of a truck crash. For some, this means going weeks or even months with a reliable source of income. When a personal injury case is successful, a plaintiff could recoup the wages they missed out on.

Medical Bills

Costly medical care is a common result of a serious injury. By pursuing legal action, it is possible to recover damages for past and future treatments like surgeries, physical therapy, chiropractic care, and ambulance transportation.

Property Damage

When commercial trucks strike passenger cars, the impact is often enough to destroy the smaller vehicles. A negligent party is responsible for property damage they cause, including the cost of repairing or replacing the other vehicles involved in the incident. A settlement could also cover the loss of personal items like laptops or cell phones.

Non-Economic Damages

Certain damages will not have a specific dollar value attached and are instead compensating for losses like loss of consortium, psychological damages, pain and suffering, and disability. A lawyer could further explain which non-economic damages might be relevant in a particular case.

One of the first steps for a truck accident attorney in Philadelphia to take is to identify the individuals and entities responsible for the crash. While it is true that the truck operator is often at fault, there could be many potential defendants in a personal injury claim, including the following:

The Driver

Many accidents involving commercial vehicles happen due to human error. These operators can cause a crash by traveling at unsafe speeds or failing to yield the right-of-way. When they do, a plaintiff can pursue a lawsuit against them individually for their damages.

The Trucking Company

If the driver is at fault, their employer might also be liable. An employee who negligently injures someone while working within the scope of their employment can leave their employer on the hook for the cost of the crash.

Mechanics

Mechanics and other third parties are entrusted to ensure a commercial vehicle is in safe working order. When these professionals make a mistake, their faulty repairs might cause a truck to crash.

Vehicle Manufacturers

These accidents can also occur despite the best offer of all parties to drive safely. If the truck or one of its parts is defective, the operator could lose control and cause a collision. The manufacturer can face legal liability for any damage that occurs in this scenario.

After looking at your case, if it is clear that a trucking company was at fault, we will make sure to gather the necessary evidence and look over the entire accident. Trucking companies often have powerful attorneys and paid investigators who they will use to try and prove that the fault does not lie with them. No one wants to get sued. One of the keys to proving liability in a Philly truck accident case is having a knowledgeable attorney on your side.