You have enough to worry about when you get behind the wheel of your vehicle each day. The last thing you need is for the negligence of a truck driver or truck company to cause you or a loved one harm. However, we know that crashes involving large trucks happen all the time.
When you need a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer, Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys is ready to step in on your behalf. Our knowledgeable and experienced personal injury attorneys will investigate your case so we can secure compensation for all of your crash-related expenses.
A truck accident can turn your world upside down in seconds. In the aftermath, you may be dealing with serious injuries, damage to your vehicle, lost time from work, and overwhelming medical expenses. Knowing what to do next is crucial—not just for your physical recovery, but for protecting your legal rights. Truck accident cases are significantly more complex than standard car accidents, and a misstep early on can cost you the fair compensation you deserve.
A truck accident can change your life in an instant, but you do not have to face the aftermath alone. With the right legal guidance, you can hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the full compensation you need to rebuild your life. An experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can make all the difference, helping you understand your rights, navigate the legal process, and secure the justice you deserve.
One of the first and most important steps after a truck accident is identifying all potentially liable parties. Unlike typical vehicle crashes, where fault usually lies with one driver, truck accidents often involve multiple layers of responsibility. The most obvious party is the truck driver. If the driver was speeding, distracted, under the influence, or fatigued due to violating hours-of-service regulations, they could be held liable. But responsibility does not stop there.
The trucking company that employs the driver may also be at fault. If they failed to adequately vet the driver during hiring, ignored safety regulations, or pressured the driver to meet unrealistic deadlines, they could be held liable for negligent supervision or policy violations. Maintenance contractors may also bear responsibility if the truck had mechanical issues due to inadequate or improper maintenance. Similarly, the company that loaded the cargo may be at fault if an overloaded or imbalanced truck contributed to the accident. In cases involving defective parts—such as faulty brakes or steering mechanisms—the manufacturer of the truck or its components could also be brought into the claim.
Because so many parties may share responsibility, it is essential to work with an experienced truck accident attorney in Philadelphia who can investigate thoroughly and determine where liability lies. Your lawyer can gather driver logs, maintenance records, surveillance footage, black box data, and other critical pieces of evidence that are often difficult to obtain without legal pressure.
Victims of truck accidents may be eligible for a wide range of damages. These are generally divided into two categories: economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include compensation for medical expenses, such as ambulance transport, emergency care, surgeries, physical therapy, and long-term treatment needs.
These include compensation for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. If the accident led to a permanent disability, disfigurement, or the inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed, these factors can increase the value of your claim significantly. In the tragic event of a fatal crash, surviving family members may be entitled to wrongful death damages, including funeral costs and loss of companionship.
These are not intended to compensate the victim but to punish the wrongdoer for especially reckless or malicious behavior. For example, if a trucking company knowingly allowed an unqualified or intoxicated driver to operate one of its vehicles, a court may choose to award punitive damages as a deterrent to future misconduct.
The final settlement amount depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the clarity of liability, the number of parties involved, and the available insurance coverage. Pennsylvania does not impose a cap on damages in personal injury or wrongful death cases, which means your compensation is not limited by state law—except in very rare situations involving government entities. This makes it all the more important to pursue every available avenue for recovery.
The legal process after a truck accident usually begins with an initial consultation with an attorney. During this meeting, your attorney will review the details of your accident, gather documentation, and determine whether you have a viable case. If you decide to move forward, your lawyer will begin investigating, which includes collecting medical records, accident reports, driver qualifications, truck maintenance logs, and more.
Once liability is established, your attorney will send a demand letter to the insurance companies representing the responsible parties. This letter outlines the extent of your damages and the amount of compensation sought. From there, negotiations may begin. If a fair settlement is reached, the case can be resolved without going to court. However, if negotiations stall or the insurance company refuses to offer adequate compensation, your attorney may file a lawsuit.
Litigation can be a lengthy process, often taking months or even years to resolve, depending on the complexity of the case. After the lawsuit is filed, the discovery phase begins. This involves both sides sharing evidence, conducting depositions, and possibly bringing in expert witnesses. In many cases, further negotiations will continue during this time. If no agreement is reached, the case will go to trial where a judge or jury determines the outcome.
From start to finish, the timeline of a truck accident case can vary. A straightforward case might settle in a few months, while a complex, multi-party case could take over a year. It is important to be patient and trust your legal team to advocate for your best interests every step of the way.
Eighteen-wheelers can reach weights of 80,000 pounds. A dump truck can weigh nearly 60,000 pounds. When we say that large commercial trucks can cause major damages and injuries, we mean it. Think about how many large trucks you see on the roadways. They are everywhere and they provide valuable services to our society and economy. However, when a driver makes a mistake or part of the vehicle fails, people get hurt. It is not uncommon for us to see the following injuries in the aftermath of a truck crash:
Each of these injuries requires immediate emergency medical care. Often, a truck crash victim needs multiple surgeries and extended rehabilitation in order to make a full recovery. This can mean that they are unable to work and provide an income to support themselves and their families. A truck crash attorney in Philadelphia could help an injured person seek compensation for their losses.
Unfortunately, many of these crashes are preventable and revolve around vehicle maintenance problems or driver error.
Truck companies must ensure that all of their vehicles are regularly inspected and maintained. Some of the main causes of truck crashes revolve around the failure of the:
All drivers should be properly licensed to operate these trucks and should follow all laws and regulations regarding safe operation. This includes not overloading the truck as well as driving only the allowable amount of hours each day. Under NO circumstances should a driver operate while impaired or distracted. A lawyer in Philadelphia understands truck regulations and how they can affect an accident claim.
When you are riding down the road, you should not have to wonder if the truck driver next to you is going to make a mistake or if the truck has been well-maintained. At Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys, we are here to help if you or a loved one have been injured in a truck crash.
Our seasoned team will investigate your crash and work to secure compensation for all of your expenses, including:
The fact that you survived a truck accident is already a miracle, but there are probably many questions on your mind right now. Being in a truck crash is different from being in a car crash not only because it’s more challenging to survive a truck accident but also because there are many laws and regulations that come into play when recovering damages from the at-fault truck driver and trucking company.
Luckily, we invited our truck accident attorney in Philadelphia from Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys, to make things less confusing and help you seek fair compensation.
The size of the vehicle involved is not the only difference between a truck accident case and car accident case. These are other differences that make truck accident cases unique:
As we have mentioned earlier, there are hours of service regulations that place a limit on how long truck drivers are allowed to drive without taking a break. Our truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia explains that these regulations are intended to reduce the likelihood of driver fatigue, falling asleep behind the wheel, and drowsy driving, all common causes of truck crashes.
The following hours of service requirements apply to truck drivers operating vehicles with a gross weight of more than 10,000 pounds:
Generally, trucking companies have a duty to ensure that their truckers abide by the rules mentioned above through proper supervision and careful review of driver logs. There are strict rules regarding the maintenance of trucks and their equipment. Violating any of the rules makes a truck driver or trucking company liable in the event of a crash.
If you hire one of our skilled lawyers at Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys, you do not have to pay attorney’s fees unless our attorney successfully obtains compensation for you. Our attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, which means we are paid nothing if you do not get compensated in your truck accident case.
Attorney’s fees in truck accident cases range from 25 to 33 percent of the total amount of the settlement or court award. Unlike other law firms, our attorneys investigate cases at no charge upfront.
Truck accidents can be devastating, leaving you with severe injuries, emotional trauma, and mounting financial burdens. When that happens, you should not have to face the trucking company or their insurance providers alone. These companies have teams of legal experts working to minimize their liability—and you deserve someone just as committed to protecting your rights.
At Soloff & Zervanos Personal Injury Attorneys, we understand how complex and overwhelming a truck accident case can be. From navigating state and federal regulations to securing vital evidence before it disappears, our team is equipped to handle every step of the process. We investigate the details of your case, identify all liable parties, and pursue the full compensation you’re entitled to, whether that includes medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, or punitive damages.
You have been through enough. Let our Philadelphia truck accident lawyers fight for justice on your behalf. Contact us today for a free consultation, and let us help you start the path toward healing and recovery.
