Tractor Trailer Accidents
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Pittsburgh Truck Accident Attorneys
By engaging a skilled trucking accident lawyer after a major accident, an injured individual can focus on their recovery while having peace of mind that their legal rights are being pursued vigorously. The lawyer’s expertise and dedication to their client’s best interests can significantly increase the chances of obtaining fair compensation for the damages suffered.
Trucking Accident FAQ
Trucking accidents encompass a range of scenarios that can lead to injuries or fatalities for those involved. These accidents can have devastating consequences due to the size, weight, and force of commercial trucks. Understanding the various types of trucking accidents is essential for recognizing the risks and implementing preventive measures. Here are some common types of trucking accidents that result in injuries or loss of life:
- Rear-End Collisions: Rear-end accidents occur when a truck collides with the rear of another vehicle.
- Jackknife Accidents: Jackknifing happens when a truck’s trailer swings out to an angle of 90 degrees or more in relation to the cab.
- Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents occur when a truck tips onto its side or roof.
- Underride Accidents: Underride accidents involve a smaller vehicle colliding with the rear or side of a truck and sliding underneath it.
- Wide-Turn Accidents: Large trucks require ample space to make turns due to their extended length.
- Tired or Drowsy Driving Accidents: Truck drivers, especially those who exceed legal driving limits or fail to take adequate rest breaks, are susceptible to fatigue and drowsiness.
- Cargo Spills and Lost Load Accidents: Improperly secured or overloaded cargo can lead to cargo spills or lost load accidents.
These are just a few examples of the different types of trucking accidents that can result in harm to individuals. Each type of accident carries its own set of risks and requires specific preventive measures. Enhancing driver training, implementing strict safety regulations, conducting regular vehicle maintenance, and promoting awareness campaigns can contribute to reducing the occurrence of these accidents and ensuring the safety of everyone on the road.
Determining liability in a trucking accident involves examining the circumstances leading up to the incident and identifying the parties whose actions or negligence contributed to the accident. Several parties may be potentially liable for a trucking accident, including:
- Truck Driver: The truck driver is often the first party considered for liability. If the driver was negligent, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, distracted driving, or violating traffic laws, they may bear responsibility for the accident.
- Trucking Company: The trucking company that employs the driver may be held liable under certain circumstances
- Vehicle Owner: In some cases, the truck involved in the accident may be owned by a separate entity or individual.
- Maintenance and Repair Contractors: If the accident resulted from faulty repairs or inadequate maintenance, the contractors responsible for maintaining the truck may be held liable for their negligence.
- Cargo Loading Companies: Improperly loaded or secured cargo can lead to accidents. If a separate company is responsible for loading the cargo onto the truck and their negligence contributed to the accident, they may be liable for damages.
- Vehicle Manufacturer: If a defect or malfunction in the truck’s design or components played a role in the accident, the manufacturer may be held responsible for the resulting damages.
- Government Entities: In some cases, if the accident was caused by poor road conditions, inadequate signage, or other factors related to road maintenance or design, government entities responsible for these aspects may share liability.
It’s important to note that liability can vary based on jurisdiction and the specific circumstances of the accident. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility, and the degree of fault may be apportioned accordingly.
Determining liability in trucking accidents often requires a thorough investigation, including reviewing accident reports, analyzing witness statements, examining electronic logging device (ELD) records, inspecting the truck’s maintenance records, and assessing any potential violations of regulations. Legal professionals, insurance companies, and law enforcement authorities play critical roles in determining liability and seeking appropriate compensation for victims of trucking accidents.
Our legal consultations are always free unless we recover money for you. During the course of our investigation into your personal injury claim, we advance any costs that we deem necessary in the proper handling of your case. If we do not recover money for you, you do not have to return any of the costs incurred associated with your case.
This is called the Contingent Fee.
Contingent fees make it possible for anyone to hire only the very best lawyer to decide if there are grounds for a claim, without paying for that advice. More importantly, it gives everyone access to the justice system and representation equal to the best that insurance companies, doctors, and other defendants can hire.
The law limits the amount of time you have in which to file a personal injury case in Pennsylvania.
Statute of Limitations: You typically have two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury case in Pennsylvania.
Minors Tolling Statute: In a case where the victim is a child (under 18), the statute of limitations does not apply until the child reaches 18. This means that a claim must be filed before the child turns 20.
The following factors are considered when determining and agreeing upon a settlement amount:
- Establish the full extent of the injury.
- Determine the future needs of the victim, including expected medical costs and cost associated with living with the injury, such as retrofitting of the home, devices and appliances that may be required, and long-term personal care.
- Determine the maximum recovery obtained in similar cases that may have set a precedent.
- Calculate how much the victim will lose in wages over the course of their recovery, or in cases where the victim will never return to work, over the course of their work life expectancy. It’s also necessary to calculate the value of the victim’s financial, physical and emotional contributions to their children or spouse as well as services performed in and around the home. For more information on the Value of a Homemaker.
- Attorney fees will ideally be recovered for such sums as are awarded for pain and suffering. This is much easier to do by settlement than by verdict.
Pain and suffering damages can be awarded to individuals who physical pain, discomfort, embarrassment, humiliation, mental distress or the inability to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. But unlike a hospital or auto repair bill, none of these conditions has a specific dollar amount attached to it. Nevertheless, individuals can and should be compensated for their physical and emotional suffering.