Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer, PA
Big rig trucks are powerful, unforgiving pieces of machinery that can cause serious injury and death in the hands of a negligent driver. If you or someone you know is suffering from injuries received in a truck accident, a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer from our team of attorneys may be able to help.
At the Joel Bieber Firm, we help injury victims recover compensation for injuries that are no fault of their own. We understand how difficult insurance companies make it for crash victims and their families to get the money they deserve, and we fight vigorously to get our clients the compensation they deserve.
Contact our office anytime to schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer.
Liability for Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are much larger and more powerful than standard road vehicles. They are also less maneuverable and require more time and distance to come to a complete stop. Additionally, these massive vehicles carry heavy and sometimes dangerous cargo.
This all means that big rig trucks present a higher risk of accident, injury, and death than other vehicles on the road. As such, the law holds truck drivers to a higher standard of care than other motorists. Truck drivers’ employers are also held to high standards, as well as truck and equipment manufacturers.
Truck Driver Standards
Truck drivers must obey the standard rules of the road in addition to a whole host of other rules and regulations. Failure to do so is usually negligence and can lead to serious injury accidents and death.
Common types of truck accidents include:
- Jackknife accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Side-swipe accidents
- Head-on collisions
Avoiding these types of accidents requires careful observance of federal and state laws and rules. Some of these rules include:
- Obeying hours-of-service regulations requiring mandatory rest times
- Performing regular pre-trip vehicle inspections
- Maintaining a log book of hours of service and pre-trip vehicle inspections
Truck drivers must also acquire and maintain all proper licenses and endorsements.
Employer Standards
A trucking company or other business that employs truck drivers can face liability for its own negligence as well as the negligence of its drivers. However, the driver must be on the clock at the time they committed their negligent actions and be operating within the scope of their normal employment.
There are a few ways a trucking company or business might be negligent, including:
- Failing to maintain safe trucks and equipment
- Taking shortcuts on safety measures to skirt federal and state law
- Failing to train or hire properly trained drivers
- Failing to adequately screen new hires to detect problem drivers
Truck and equipment manufacturers must also contribute to the safety of the trucking industry by providing safe and functional equipment. In an accident caused by a defective truck tire, for instance, the tire manufacturer could face liability.
Truck Accident Losses and Compensation
The losses caused by truck accidents are often incalculable. But a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can help victims lessen the impact of their losses by presenting a strong claim for compensation.
The nature of the injuries you suffer in a truck accident largely dictates the amount of your compensation. Since truck accidents typically cause serious injuries, truck accident victims typically experience devastating losses, many of which may be recouped in a compensation claim.
Financial Devastation
Medical bills and the cost of long-term care can be significant after a truck accident. Victims face years of recovery and pain. Many are forced to take substantial time off work to heal and thus lose valuable income when they need it the most.
If you are dealing with injuries from a truck accident, a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer may be able to help.
Non-Monetary Losses
Under Pennsylvania law, your non-monetary losses count just as much as your financial damages. You are allowed to seek damages for:
- The pain you feel and the suffering you endure
- Injuries that lead to embarrassment and humiliation
- Injuries that diminish your ability to enjoy life
- Injuries that disfigure
When you meet with a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer from the Joel Bieber Firm, you will learn more about what damages you can potentially pursue.
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Philadelphia Office
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Philadelphia, PA 19102
Phone: (215) 999-9183
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no average compensation value for truck accident cases; each situation is different. However, if you meet with a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer, they will likely be able to give you a decent idea as to the value of your case.
Keep in mind that the more experienced your lawyer is, the better your chances are of getting the maximum payout for your claim.
Yes. In Pennsylvania, your right to file a truck accident lawsuit expires two years after the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. So if your accident was over two years ago, you should not consider your claim to be dead until you speak with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Yes. If you want to significantly increase your odds of receiving a payout worthy of your losses, you will contract the services of a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer.
Without an attorney representing you, you are likely to get a settlement amount far below the true value of your claim. You are also more likely to receive a denied claim when you don’t have a seasoned Philadelphia truck accident lawyer representing you.
A Philadelphia truck accident lawyer at The Joel Bieber Firm costs nothing upfront. Once we recover your compensation, we will calculate our fees based on the size of the award. In other words, you owe nothing if we recover nothing for you.