Commercial trucks and tractor-trailers provide valuable services to consumers across the state. With major interstates running through the state, you likely encounter these trucks on the road regularly. While vehicles that size can provide many benefits, they can also pose significant risks to other drivers when they are not driven or maintained with the necessary level of care.
Injuries caused by truck accidents can be catastrophic on personal, physical, mental, and financial levels. These are not costs you have to cover on your own. A personal injury lawsuit may be an option available to you. With the help of an Allentown truck accident lawyer, you could recover financial compensation for your harm.
Truck drivers must follow the regulations of PennDOT’s Trucker’s Handbook. From licensing and registration requirements to safety rules on a truck’s size and cargo, truckers should exercise specific duties of care when operating their vehicles.
A driver who fails to meet their duties of care can cause serious injuries to the people they share the road with. Injuries caused by breaching a duty of care can be acts of negligence under 18 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 302 and grounds for an injury lawsuit.
A breach of the expressly stated duties of care is not the only situation that can give rise to a personal injury lawsuit. Violating general safety rules that a reasonable driver would follow can also breach a general duty of care, which amounts to negligence.
The state does not generally cap damages in injury lawsuits. Someone injured in a truck wreck could be awarded compensation for all of their economic damages, which include objectively measurable costs such as medical and repair bills, as well as for the more subjective noneconomic damages, such as physical pain and mental anguish. Those injured by truck collisions should work with an Allentown attorney to determine which costs they could recover.
Truck crashes often involve multiple parties beyond the driver. In addition to the operator, potential defendants may include the trucking company, vehicle manufacturer, cargo loader, or a third-party maintenance provider. Each of these parties has specific responsibilities, and failure to meet those duties may constitute negligence.
A skilled Allentown attorney could investigate the cause of the truck crash and identify all liable entities. This increases the chance of recovering full compensation and holding all negligent actors accountable. We examine driver logs, black box data, inspection reports, and employment records to build a complete picture of what went wrong.
The sheer size and weight of commercial trucks mean they often cause severe injuries in a crash. Victims may suffer from traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, internal bleeding, multiple fractures, and permanent disability. These injuries may require surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, and years of rehabilitation.
An Allentown truck crash lawyer will account for both current and long-term medical needs in your claim. We work with medical experts and financial analysts to assess the total cost of care, ensuring no aspect of your recovery is overlooked.
Trucking companies are backed by powerful insurance carriers that aggressively protect their bottom lines. Adjusters may quickly contact you after a crash with a low settlement offer or request recorded statements that could be used against you. Do not speak to an insurer without legal representation.
Our attorneys understand these tactics and can manage all communication on your behalf. We advocate for the full and fair compensation you are entitled to and protect your rights throughout the legal process. Let a truck injury attorney in Allentown fight for you while you focus on healing.
Truck accident lawsuits are subject to the legal standard of comparative negligence, per 42 Pa. C.S. § 7102. When both sides behaved negligently at the time of the collision, the injured person may not recover the full awarded amount.
The jury will decide which person is most at fault for the injuries. When the trucker is just as or more responsible for the damages, the injured driver may still receive monetary compensation. However, the court will reduce the amount when the person contributed to the accident. When the injured person is more responsible than the trucker for the crash, the court may bar them from collecting any money.
Even when the injured driver was not negligent, they should still prepare to prove it in court. Our truck collision lawyers in Allentown could present the right evidence to ensure the injured person gets the full amount entitled to them.
After a crash involving a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, the consequences can be overwhelming. Let an Allentown truck accident lawyer from Soloff & Zervanos evaluate your case and help you pursue the justice you deserve. We are ready to investigate the crash, handle insurance disputes, and demand full compensation for your injuries.