Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer

Every day, thousands of trucks travel Philadelphia’s roads. While most will make it safely to their destination, some may be involved in accidents. Tractor-trailers and other commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) are significantly larger than passenger vehicles, meaning there is a great chance of devastating injuries, property damage, and death.

Unfortunately, these collisions do not need to happen. Many of them are preventable. Without another party’s reckless or negligent actions, these crashes would not occur.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we want you to know that legal options exist if you have been injured in a crash with a tractor-trailer or a loved one died in a collision with some other CMV. Reach out to a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer for a free consultation to find out what they are.

Common Types of Truck Crashes

When you think of a trucking accident, you might imagine a sideswipe or rear-end collision. However, there are more ways that trucks can collide with other vehicles on the road. These vehicle crashes can take many shapes and forms.

No matter the type, they can still lead to serious and deadly consequences for others. Some of these dangerous situations can include:

  • Head-on collisions
  • Rear-end collisions
  • Jackknife accidents
  • Underride accidents
  • Rollover accidents
  • Blind spot accidents

Consequences of a Big Rig Crash

Unfortunately, many of these accidents result in injuries and even fatalities. According to data from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Administration, there are 117,000 acres with injuries in 2021. Of those incidents, 5,700 had a fatality.

Tractor-trailers, semi-trucks, and other large commercial vehicles are larger and heavier than passenger vehicles. When a collision occurs, the force exerted by a moving truck can be devastating.

While smaller vehicles are equipped with the latest safety features, they are often no match for the sheer weight and mass of a truck colliding with them.

Survivors of truck collisions may suffer from serious injuries, including:

  • Spinal cord damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Amputations
  • Broken bones
  • Burns
  • Lacerations
  • Disfigurement
  • Internal organ damage
  • Death

The emotional toll of being involved in a truck collision can also affect survivors for years to come. They may experience trauma, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can affect their daily lives.

There’s also the financial burden of medical care, treatment, and rehabilitation from these incidents. Many truck accident victims face substantial costs related to hospital stays, surgeries, and specialized care. Often, they could face months or even years of physical therapy, counseling, and occupational therapy to regain their lives.

Unfortunately, many of these wrecks lead to fatalities. For the remaining family members, they must deal with unexpected costs for medical treatment, funeral and burial costs, and the loss of companionship. If the individual were the main income provider, there would also be concerns about financial support after their death.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we understand the hardship and heartbreak of these incidents. If you have been affected by the above, make sure to contact us. A Philadelphia truck accident lawyer on our staff can provide you with a few options to get the compensation you deserve.

Meet Our Truck Attorneys

Factors That Lead to Trucking Accidents

Trucks moving goods in and out of the city is common practice throughout the day and night. Some of the busiest highways in the Commonwealth are the Delaware Expressway (I-95), the Schuylkill Expressway (I-76), and the Blue Route (I-476), all of which intersect with the city.

Multiple highways, traffic congestion, and other factors can lead to truck crashes in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas. Many causes lead to catastrophic accidents on the road, including:

Driver Error

Truck drivers can make mistakes. These include:

  • Speeding
  • Failure to signal lane changes
  • Swerving
  • Tailgating
  • Frequent lane changes without valid reasons
  • Distracted driving
  • Aggressive driving
  • Ignoring traffic signals and signs
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications

It is reckless to engage in any of these actions behind the wheel of a vehicle. Adding the weight and size of a commercial truck can lead to serious and often deadly consequences.

Truck Driver Errors
Truck Driver Fatigue

Fatigued Driving

Another issue in the trucking industry is driver fatigue. Long hours behind the wheel, irregular sleep patterns, and demanding schedules can result in driver fatigue. Tired drivers are more prone to errors and slower reaction times. The demanding nature of the job often leads to long hours of driving and irregular sleep patterns.

As a result, the driver may have decreased alertness, slower decision-making, and impaired driving abilities. To help combat this issue, the Federal Motor Carrier Administration has designated hours of service regulations. Under these rules, all truck drivers have a mandated amount of time that they can drive the vehicle. Unfortunately, even with these rules in place, some trucking companies can push their drivers over the limit.

Mechanical Failures and Vehicle Maintenance

Due to their size and weight, large trucks require maintenance to make sure they are safe to take on the road. Just a few issues that can lead to accidents are:

  • Tire blowouts
  • Brake failures
  • Engine malfunctions

Trucking companies and their drivers are responsible for completing these checks and repairs. If they don’t, they could be liable for any injuries and damages that result from a wreck.

Truck Mechanical Failures
Truck Accidents in Philadelphia

Unsecured and Overloaded Cargo

Improperly secured cargo can cause a safety hazard for truck drivers and other road users. When cargo is not adequately secured, it can shift during transit, which can affect the truck’s stability. Sudden shifts in cargo may lead to rollovers or loss of control.

Also, overloading trucks beyond their capacity compromises braking efficiency and handling. Excessive weight increases the risk of collisions, especially during sudden stops or turns. The trucking companies and drivers are responsible for adhering to weight limits and ensuring that all cargo is secured.

Who Is Liable for My Truck Accident in Philadelphia?

Before you can collect any compensation, your legal team will need to determine who was liable for the crash. Possible liable parties include:

  • Motor carriers
  • Truck drivers
  • Shipping companies
  • Cargo originators
  • Cargo loaders
  • Other motorists

Sorting out liability is one of the more challenging aspects of tractor-trailer crashes and other truck-involved collision cases. So, be sure to call or email our Philadelphia accident lawyers for a free case review to assess the circumstances surrounding your wreck so they can determine who to hold accountable for it. Your initial meeting with our legal team is always free.

Results That Make a Difference

Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan is proud to fight for settlements and awards that make a difference. Because at our law office, our goal is to fight for those who have been wrongfully harmed.

  • $1 million

    A car accident resulting in serious personal injuries to the plaintiff

  • $2 million

    A tragic case where a man suffered serious permanent injuries when a tree fell onto his car while he was driving along a public road in Bucks County, Pennsylvania

  • $4.4 million

    A car crash where the motor vehicle accident resulted in two passengers being killed and another injured, after a restaurant served too much alcohol to the driver of their vehicle

  • $478,650 settlement

    For a 67-year-old New Jersey man who suffered serious injury in a motor vehicle accident on the Atlantic City Expressway

  • $9 million

    A car crash resulting in a passenger suffering permanent quadriplegic injuries

Why You Need an Attorney for Your Insurance Claim

Truck crash cases can be incredibly complex. Trying to navigate these complexities alone can be overwhelming, especially if you need to focus on your family and recovery. This is where an experienced Philadelphia truck accident attorney can assist.

Over the years, we have handled thousands of cases similar to yours. We understand the difficulties of getting the compensation you deserve; an 18-wheeler crash case and a passenger car wreck are not the same. They can have many obstacles that can get in your way of recovering damages from the responsible parties.

Keep in mind that trucking companies and insurers often work to protect their interests. They will try to minimize their minimization of liability. With the help of a skilled lawyer, no stone will be left unturned when it comes to securing evidence, such as:

  • Truck driver’s logbooks and hours-of-service records
  • Inspection and maintenance records for the truck
  • Data from the truck’s electronic control module (ECM) or black box

With this evidence, you can strengthen your case and support your claim that these individual parties were liable for the wreck.

Additionally, you must work with the liable parties’ insurance companies if you want compensation. Insurance companies often have a vested interest in minimizing payouts. Their adjusters will evaluate injury claims based on a variety of factors, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

They may offer a quick settlement, but proceed with caution. When you work with our qualified trucking accident lawyer, they can fully calculate your damages and ensure that you are fully compensated for all losses and damages related to the incident.

By knowing that your case is in skilled hands, you can have some peace of mind.

Trust Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan for Your Truck Accident Case

After a wreck, you should only be concerned about your path to recovery. Dealing with insurance companies and determining fault in these claims should be left to a qualified law firm.

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, our legal team is ready to handle your case. The Philadelphia truck accident lawyer you work with will pull out all the stops to hold any liable parties accountable, negotiate with insurance companies, and get you the compensation you deserve.

If you want to know your options and potential opportunity to recover damages from these crashes, make sure to schedule a consultation today.

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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1100 Ludlow Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107
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