Upper Darby Truck Accident Lawyer

As the sixth largest municipality in Pennsylvania, Upper Darby sees a lot of traffic throughout the day and night. There are hundreds of trucks traveling on the road. While most drivers adhere to the rules of the road, some act in a reckless manner. Unfortunately, this can lead to devastating accidents.

These accident victims and their families have the legal right to pursue compensation for their injuries and other damages. You need an Upper Darby truck accident lawyer to assist in these situations.

Whether you had an accident on the West Chester Pike, State Road, or the Baltimore Pike, contact a local law firm to fight for your rights and compensation.

Reach out to Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan to find out how we can help in your case.

Have You Been Affected by a Truck Crash in Upper Darby

Truck accidents are common on Pennsylvania’s roads. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, there were 7,522 heavy truck incidents in 2022.

If you have been affected by a truck accident, most of the time, human errors were the cause of the crash. Many of these incidents have involved:

Driver Fatigue

Truck drivers often work long hours and face tight schedules. While the FMCSA sets Hours of Service regulations that limit time on the road, drivers can still become fatigued. A tired driver will have a slower time to react to traffic pattern changes or obstacles on the road. All of that can increase the likelihood of accidents. Inadequate rest breaks and demanding delivery deadlines can also contribute to driver fatigue.

Distracted Driving

Like many drivers, distracted driving is another concern, especially when operating a heavy vehicle like a commercial truck. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving led to 3,308 lives lost in 2022. Truckers can get distracted by cell phones, GPS devices, or other distractions. It could lead to an accident when they take their eyes off the road, even for a moment.

Alcohol and Drugs

Large trucks can be difficult to maneuver. If you add an intoxicated driver behind the wheel, that can be a recipe for disaster. Unfortunately, impaired driving due to alcohol or drug use is a major factor in truck accidents. Despite strict regulations, violations still occur, leading to deadly results.

Speeding and Overtaking

Trucks traveling at excessive speeds are harder to control and stop, increasing the risk of accidents, especially rear-end collisions. Unsafe overtaking maneuvers can also lead to crashes on the road.

Poor Training and Maintenance

All drivers need to be properly trained before they can operate a vehicle. They must have a CDL license and pass all the approach testing. However, some companies hire inexperienced drivers who practice unsafe driving. Along with trained drivers, companies also need to make sure their vehicles are road-ready; otherwise, components, like brakes or tires, may fail during driving and cause an accident.

Improper Cargo Loading

Incorrectly loaded cargo can affect a truck’s stability. As a result, it could be prone to tipping over or causing accidents. Drivers and cargo loaders are responsible for ensuring that these trucks’ loads are properly secured.

All these situations can lead to serious accidents on the road. Often, other drivers and their passengers are left with devastating injuries. Most of these causes result from negligent behavior, and the responsible parties could be held liable for their actions. Contact our law firm to consult with an Upper Darby truck accident lawyer about any rights you may have in your case today.

Determining the Liable Parties

Unlike car accidents, there may be several parties responsible for the accident, such as:

• Truck driver: If the driver was negligent, such as by speeding, being distracted, or driving while impaired, they may be held liable for the accident.
• Trucking company: Employers are often liable for the actions of their employees during work hours, and they may share responsibility for the accident.
• Maintenance and repair companies: The shop or technician responsible for maintaining or repairing the vehicle could be liable in cases of brake failure or poor vehicle maintenance.
• Cargo loading companies: Any cargo loading company responsible that failing to secure the cargo could be accountable for any accidents.
• Manufacturers: If a defective truck part, such as faulty brakes, caused the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable for the crash.

Liability can be challenging to determine. Many times, it requires a thorough investigation of the evidence to find reasonable parties. For this reason, you should consult with an Upper Darby truck accident attorney to examine your case more closely.

Fighting Multiple Parties

In these cases, you can seek compensation for your damages. These can include:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering

However, settling a truck accident case is not easy. It often involves negotiating with several insurance companies and legal teams at once, and in many cases, multiple parties may share liability.

Some parties may settle early, while others may contest liability. Given the complexity of these cases, hiring an experienced personal injury attorney is important. If you want an experienced legal team to handle your case, Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan is ready to help.

Get the Help You Need for Your Upper Darby Truck Accident Case

At Laffey Bucci D’Andrea Reich & Ryan, we have over 40 years of experience with personal injury cases. Our team will work hard to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

If you would like to learn more, contact our office to schedule a consultation with an Upper Darby truck accident lawyer.