When you or a loved one is seriously injured in an accident with a commercial truck, you need aggressive legal representation to protect your rights. You may be facing a lifetime of medical care and serious injuries like paralysis or traumatic brain injuries, which will also require a lifetime of caretaking expenses.
You have enough to worry about as you focus on recovery. Let a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer take the pressure off of you by fighting for your compensation and handling insurance company negotiations. If you were injured as a result of another party’s negligence, we will hold them accountable for your injuries and accident-related costs.
Contact Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C.by calling us or contacting us online. We will connect you with experienced truck accident attorneys who are part of our law firm. They will explain your legal options and your right to compensation in Pennsylvania.
How Negligence Causes Trucking Accidents in Pennsylvania
As Philadelphia personal injury lawyers, we have seen firsthand how negligence upends the lives of innocent victims in Pennsylvania.
Although there is strict regulation on trucking, accidents like fatal crashes remain high on major roadways. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Analysis Division shares the common driver-related elements that cause the most reported trucking fatalities:
- Excessive speed
- Distraction while driving
- The inability of the driver to stay in the assigned lane
- Poor vision due to obstruction
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Driver’s fatigue (extended hours of driving without rest)
- Driving while under the influence
Negligence can happen on the part of the truck driver, the trucking company, a third party, or some combination of these parties. For example, a truck driver may have been driving while under the influence of stimulants, but he could have been doing so to stay awake to meet the demands of a trucking company that was breaking regulations. In other cases, a truck company may be vicariously liable for a driver’s negligence.
Damages You Can Recover With the Help of a Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer
In a Philadelphia truck accident claim, you can recover any of the costs you have incurred as a result of the wreck. These include both economic damages, like your medical bills and lost wages, and also non-economic damages like pain and suffering compensation. The cost of physical therapy, disabled access home and vehicle modifications, and more can be recovered.
Truck accidents often result in more severe injuries compared to car accidents due to the size and weight of commercial trucks. Because of this, the damages that can be recovered are often higher. In cases of catastrophic injuries, the damages may cover a lifetime of medical costs and caretaking expenses.
Keep in mind that Pennsylvania’s shared fault laws can also affect your claim. Truck accidents often involve multiple vehicles, and more than one party can share fault. As long as you are found to be less than 51% responsible for any part you played in the crash, you can still collect compensation that will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Types of Injuries You Can Get Compensation for in a Philadelphia Truck Accident Claim
Survivors of truck accidents often suffer catastrophic injuries that can result in a lifetime of medical costs. These often include:
- Brain injuries: Concussions, skull fractures, and intracranial hemorrhage can result from the violent impact of a truck accident.
- Spinal cord injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can lead to partial or complete paralysis, loss of sensation, and other neurological impairments.
- Back injuries: Whiplash, herniated discs, and spinal fractures can occur due to the sudden, forceful movement in a collision.
- Amputations: Severe truck wrecks can result in the loss of one or more limbs due to the violent impact.
- Burn injuries: Victims of truck accidents may suffer permanent disfigurement due to serious burns.
- Fractures and broken bones: The impact of a truck accident can cause fractures in the arms, legs, ribs, pelvis, and other bones.
- Internal organ damage: Blunt force trauma can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs such as the lungs, liver, spleen, and kidneys.
- Crush injuries: When a vehicle is crushed or compressed by a truck, occupants may suffer crush injuries to their limbs or torso.
- Chest injuries: Collapsed lungs, and cardiac contusions can occur when the chest strikes the steering wheel, dashboard, or seat belt.
Survivors of severe truck accidents may also experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other emotional distress. Your truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia will factor in the types of injuries you have sustained and your emotional distress when we are determining your case’s value.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim in Philadelphia, PA?
According to Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, victims of truck accidents in Philadelphia have two years from the date of the wreck to file a claim for compensation.
It is crucial to begin the claim process as soon as possible to ensure that you meet this strict legal deadline. Failure to file your claim within the two-year window may result in losing your right to seek compensation for your losses related to the truck accident.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a serious truck accident in Philadelphia, it is advisable to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney promptly. We can help you understand your legal rights, gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and ensure that your claim is filed within the appropriate statute of limitations.
Who Can File a Wrongful Death Claim When Someone Dies in a Truck Accident in Philadelphia?
In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the personal representative of a deceased person’s estate is responsible for filing a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of the survivors after a fatal truck accident. The representative may be named in the will, but the court may appoint a representative if there is no will.
A claim can potentially be brought about on behalf of the following family members:
- Spouse
- Children (including adopted children)
- Parents
- Blood relatives or adoptive siblings who were dependent on the deceased for support
If there is no surviving spouse, children, or parents, the deceased person’s estate may file the wrongful death claim, and any damages recovered will be distributed to other family members according to Pennsylvania’s intestate succession laws. It’s important to note that in Pennsylvania, you must file a wrongful death claim within two years of the truck accident.
Protect Your Compensation’s Value By Avoiding These Truck Accident Claim Mistakes
When you’re involved in a truck accident, the steps you take in the aftermath can significantly impact the value of your compensation claim. To ensure that you protect your rights and maximize your potential settlement or award, it’s crucial to avoid these common truck accident claim mistakes:
- Failing to seek immediate medical attention: It’s essential to get a thorough medical evaluation after a truck accident. Delaying treatment can not only jeopardize your health but also give insurance companies reason to question the severity of your injuries and the validity of your claim.
- Signing documents without legal review: Do not sign any documents from insurance companies without having them reviewed by your Pennsylvania injury lawyer. You could inadvertently sign away your rights to fair compensation.
- Admitting fault or apologizing at the scene: Avoid making any statements that could be construed as admitting fault, such as apologizing or saying “I didn’t see you.” These statements can be used against you later to reduce or deny your compensation.
- Not gathering sufficient evidence: If possible, take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and your injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses and the other driver. This evidence can be crucial in supporting your claim.
- Accepting a quick settlement offer: Insurance companies may try to offer you a quick settlement before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages. Accepting an early offer often means settling for less than you deserve.
- Not following through with medical treatment: Attend all follow-up appointments and adhere to your prescribed treatment plan. Failing to do so can give insurers reason to argue that your injuries are less severe than claimed.
- Posting about the accident on social media: Insurance companies may monitor your social media accounts for posts that could undermine your claim. Avoid discussing the accident, your injuries, or your case online.
- Failing to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney: Truck accident cases are complex, often involving multiple liable parties and extensive damages. Working with a Philadelphia truck accident attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you pursue the maximum compensation available.
By avoiding these mistakes and working closely with a knowledgeable truck accident attorney, you can better protect the value of your compensation claim and increase your chances of achieving a fair settlement or award.
Call Our Experienced Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers Now
If you or a loved one has suffered serious physical injuries or fatalities after a large truck accident, our team of experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyers can help you with your case. For your inquiries, questions, or concerns, call Philadelphia Injury Lawyers P.C.
You don’t need to suffer all the ordeal on your own due to another person’s negligence, our legal team of Philadelphia truck accident attorneys is there from start to finish to help you win this case and receive the compensation you truly deserve.
Call us now or contact us online for a risk-free consultation. We understand what you are going through after the truck accident, and we know how to help you get on the path to recovery.
