Accidents involving trucks can be incredibly severe, particularly for passengers in smaller cars. In 2019, nearly all of the truck accident fatalities in Pennsylvania were occupants of other vehicles: Only 2% of fatalities were truck drivers or passengers.
If you were hurt in an accident involving a large commercial vehicle in Philadelphia, your injuries are likely serious. If the truck driver was at fault—or the truck company by extension—you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills and related losses.
The Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Stark & Stark can help you hold the responsible parties financially accountable. Schedule your free legal consultation today to learn more about your legal rights.
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Philadelphia Truck Accidents: What You Need to Know
Statistics from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation indicate that there were 7,631 collisions involving heavy trucks in our state in 2019 alone.
Even those who survive Philadelphia truck accidents are often left with life-altering injuries that can permanently affect their quality of life. A truck accident victim may suffer a traumatic brain injury and struggle with long-term cognition and memory struggles. Or, they may be diagnosed with a spinal cord injury that leaves them permanently paralyzed.
Why Philadelphia Truck Accidents Happen
Truck accidents are not always random occurrences. They may sometimes happen because a truck driver or company was negligent in some capacity. Forms of negligence that may result in truck accidents include the following:
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: You should report any commercial trucks you see that are dangerously swerving.
- Driving while sleep-deprived: Truck companies should ensure their drivers have adequate rest breaks so they are as alert as possible
- Distracted driving: A three-year study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that 11,000 truck accidents were caused by driver distractions
- Improperly maintained vehicles: It is the truck company’s responsibility to ensure their fleet is regularly inspected
- Vehicle defects: In Pennsylvania, the majority of truck accidents caused by vehicle failures are due to defective tires, wheels, or brakes
- Failure to properly secure cargo: If objects fly off a truck bed, they may obscure the views of other drivers
- Reckless driving: This includes speeding, tailgating, failure to obey traffic signals, and more
- Improperly trained drivers: Truck companies should ensure all of their drivers have the proper license and skills to navigate tractor-trailers safely
Tips for Safely Sharing the Road with Philadelphia Truck Drivers
Even if you exercise caution while driving throughout Philadelphia, you cannot control the actions of other drivers. However, the following best practices may minimize your chances of being injured in a truck accident:
- Keep your distance: The larger the vehicle, the larger the blind spot. You should always leave a large amount of space between your vehicle and a truck. If you cannot see them in their rear-view mirrors, they likely cannot see you either.
- Pass quickly: Without breaking the speed limit or otherwise causing a dangerous situation, pass a truck as quickly as possible to limit the amount of time in their blind spot.
- Avoid cutting off other drivers: It is more difficult to quickly stop a truck than it is to quickly stop a small car.
Pursuing Compensation After a Truck Accident in Philadelphia
The difficulties you may face after a Philadelphia truck accident will vary depending on the severity of your injuries. If your injuries are severe, they will likely require costly medical treatment you may not be prepared to pay for. You may also be unable to return to work while you recover.
You may not have to absorb the costs of these losses if your accident was the result of another driver or company’s negligence. Pennsylvania is a no-fault state which means you first seek compensation after a car accident by filing a claim with your own insurance provider. However, if another driver was at fault, you may be able to file a truck accident lawsuit against the negligent party in order to recover additional compensation for your losses, including for pain and suffering.
If you tragically lost a loved one in a Philadelphia truck accident, you may qualify to file a wrongful death lawsuit. Our wrongful death lawyers can walk you through the process of pursuing compensation for loss of support, funeral expenses, and more.
Just be aware that insurance companies are profit-driven businesses. They may not be inclined to offer the compensation a claimant is entitled to right away. Your chances for securing a fair settlement may be higher if you enlist the help of our Philadelphia personal injury law firm.
How a Truck Accident Law Firm in Philadelphia Can Assist With Your Case
Our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys can help you in a number of ways. These include the following:
Investigating the Truck Accident
You need to gather sufficient evidence to prove another driver or company’s negligence when filing a truck accident claim. This is why it is often necessary to conduct a thorough investigation. Our lawyers can lead this process and help recover official accident reports, camera footage, witness statements, and more to build a strong case on your behalf.
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Filing a Truck Accident Claim and/or Lawsuit
Filing paperwork correctly and by the relevant deadlines can be draining, particularly when you are recovering from serious injuries. Our Philadelphia truck accident lawyers will handle all tasks the claims process may involve on your behalf, giving you the time to focus on your recovery.
Negotiating With the Truck Company’s Insurers
No honest or ethical lawyer can promise that you will recover a specific amount of compensation when representing you. However, our lawyers can promise to offer you aggressive representation. We will account for all your relevant losses when fighting for compensation on your behalf.
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Representing You in Trial
Our primary goal when handling your case is to recover compensation on your behalf. While the majority of cases will settle without needing to go to court, we are prepared to take your case to trial if an insurer is unwilling to offer a fair amount of compensation.
Why Choose Stark & Stark?
At Stark & Stark, our team has helped clients throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey for nearly a century. We have secured multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for truck accident victims. To learn more about what we can do for you, call us today at 800-535-3425 or contact us online to schedule your free legal consultation.
