In many ways, truck accident lawsuits are the same as other car accident lawsuits. Most are ultimately settled out of court, and when they do go to court, the same elements of negligence, accident, and injury must be proven.
However, commercial trucks like tractor-trailers, big rigs, and other delivery trucks can weigh nearly 76,000 pounds, dwarfing other cars on the road, making them more dangerous and, therefore, more tightly regulated.
Big trucks owe other drivers a heightened duty of care on the road. They are also responsible for carrying insurance, just like other drivers. The insurance minimums include $15,000 per person in bodily injury coverage, $30,000 per accident in bodily injury coverage, and $5,000 in property damage coverage. Our team could help you understand how truck accident lawsuits differ from other accident lawsuits.
One of the main ways that truck accident lawsuits are different from other accident lawsuits is that there are several potentially liable parties. These include the truck driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and maintenance contractors.
Establishing liability and proving negligence with several potentially responsible parties can be complex and time-consuming. It is best handled by an experienced attorney who has handled these types of cases many before and knows what to look out for.
Trucking companies typically carry much higher insurance minimums than your average driver, so the payout can potentially be much higher in these cases. Unfortunately, this is because these types of accidents can be much more serious, leading to severe injuries and even death.
The statute of limitations for truck accidents in Pennsylvania is two years from the date of the accident, just as with car accidents. While this is a fair amount of time, with the investigation, filing necessary paperwork, and other tasks that need to be completed to successfully launch a suit, experienced counsel at your side providing advice along the way is beneficial.
In some rare instances, extensions to the statute of limitations may be available. A lawyer could advise whether the facts of your case allow for any extensions or alternative resolution methods.
Call a Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer today for a free consultation. You deserve compensation. Do not try to do it all alone and face the headaches of insurance and legal processes by yourself. Let an attorney handle the legal work while you focus on recovery and healing. Reach out to our team now to learn more.