Philadelphia Truck Accident Attorney

Truck accidents often make the news because they can cause tremendous destruction, injuries, and death. A collision with a truck can lead to a lifetime of rehabilitation and/or ongoing health care. At Anapol Weiss, our Philadelphia truck accident lawyers represent those injured in all kinds of truck incidents including truck drivers, tractor trailers, passenger vehicle drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.

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What To Do If You or a Loved One Was Injured in a Truck Accident In Philadelphia

If you suffer an injury in a truck incident, take steps to protect your right to compensation. Trucking companies retain teams of investigators, insurers, and attorneys ready to protect the company’s interest. As an injured driver or passenger, do not speak to anyone from the trucking company until you consult with a personal injury attorney in Philadelphia. Do not accept any settlement offer.

Instead, keep clear medical records, incident images, and a written account of the incident handy. Talk to a Philadelphia tractor trailer injury attorney about your ability to pursue a legal claim as soon as you can. Pennsylvania is a choice no-fault insurance state. In addition to or instead of filing a claim with your own insurer, you may have the ability to file a claim against the trucking company’s insurance or file a lawsuit against the responsible party itself. The truck wreck attorneys at Anapol Weiss have represented clients in tractor trailer claims since 1977.

We understand the complexities of federal trucking regulations and state laws. We work hard to protect your right to fair and full compensation after a preventable trucking accident.

The Average Settlement of a Truck Accident Case in PA

Truck accident claims often involve high settlement amounts, due to the complex nature of damages and the extensive injuries a victim sustains. Several factors may influence the average settlement amount.

  • The extent of economic damages. A person who sustains damages in a truck accident may gain compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss in earning capacity, and more. When an accident leads to permanent injury, the settlement may also include the projected costs of future care.
  • The intangible damages a plaintiff suffers. In addition to compensation for economic losses, a victim of a truck accident may collect recompense for physical pain, suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of consortium or guidance (typically for the victim’s family in the event of permanent injury or wrongful death).
  • The degree of negligence involved. When a truck accident arises from gross negligence, intention, or reckless misconduct, then grounds for punitive damages may exist.
  • The property damage to the vehicle. Often, semi accidents are so severe that repair of a car is impossible, necessitating compensation for a new vehicle.

The average amount of settlement following a Pennsylvania truck accident varies widely depending on the factors outlined above. However, semi-truck accident claims generally involve higher damage amounts and settlements than typical car accidents.

Why You Need an Attorney at Anapol Weiss

Truck accidents involve complex federal and state laws. Additionally, liability for a truck accident may involve several different parties.

  • The truck operator
  • His or her employer
  • The manufacturer of the vehicle or its component parts
  • The government

A truck accident attorney is often necessary to determine the parties responsible for a victim’s injuries and filing personal injury claims against multiple parties to demand fair compensation for his or her losses.

An attorney also negotiates with the insurance companies and holds them accountable for the full amount of a victim’s losses. With decades of experience in truck accident law, we know the worth of your claim and go toe-to-toe with insurance companies on your behalf, so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Finally, an attorney has additional tools at his or her disposal to determine liability in a truck accident. With expert witnesses like forensic accident constructers, actuaries, and claims adjusters, an attorney can prepare a case as if it is going to trial – and pursue litigation if it means getting a plaintiff maximum compensation following an accident.

If you or someone you love sustained injuries or other losses in a truck or tractor trailer accident, the attorneys at Anapol Weiss can help you recover maximum compensation for the harm you incurred. Contact our office today to schedule a free initial consultation.

Liability in Truck Wrecks

Unlike passenger vehicle accidents involving regularly licensed driver, tractor trailer incidents always involve professional drivers. Every driver on Pennsylvania roadways must adhere to a standard duty of care, but professional drivers must take their standard of care to the next level. The courts will scrutinize all truck driver actions and hold them accountable for any reckless activity including distracted driving and failing to properly maintain the truck.

In addition to the truck driver, trucking companies, truck maintenance professionals, and passenger vehicle drivers may all face liability in tractor trailer accidents. At Anapol Weiss, we strive to hold the right party accountable in every case we pursue. Using a network of independent investigators and accident recreation specialists, we will explore every avenue for restitution and find the individual or company liable for your injuries.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania

Heavy truck accidents reached their peak in 2015, but the trend has continued into 2017, when PennDOT reported 6,807 crashes. In total, 145 people lost their lives in heavy truck accidents in 2017, and hundreds more sustained injuries. Each year, thousands of truck accident victims and their families face the negative ramifications of negligence related to semi-truck ownership, maintenance, and operation.

Data compiled by PennDOT found that the majority of accidents arose from a combination of driver error and equipment malfunction. With regard to mechanical failure, tire and wheel related issues, such as blow out, were the most common issue. Other common causes of truck accidents include an insecure trailer, improper towing of cargo, steering system or suspension failure, or power train failure.

Truck accidents are most likely to occur on state highways and turnpikes. Only 9% of crashes occurred on local roads. Of the 2017 fatalities involving truck accidents, only 2.4% were the truck’s occupants – the other 97.6% were pedestrians and occupants of passenger vehicles.

In addition to vehicle defects and improper loading, 18-wheeler accidents can happen as the result of truck driver or passenger motor vehicle errors. Distracted driving, improper lane changes, and tailgating commonly contribute to large vehicle incidents. To determine the cause of an accident, investigators look into proper licensing, truck regulation compliance, witness accounts, and any camera footage available. As tractor trailer injury attorneys, we look closely at all the facts to find the truth behind an accident and hold the responsible party or parties accountable.

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Contact Our Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers

Before you file an insurance claim or give your account to any insurance representative, consult with an attorney. If you suffered a serious injury in a tractor trailer accident, you may face lost income and future wages, numerous medical bills, and a loss of quality of life. A tractor trailer attorney will not only represent you in a legal capacity, but will also help you determine a reasonable and fair request for restitution.

At Anapol Weiss, we offer our clients experience, dedication, and accessibility. As your legal counsel, we can help you obtain qualified medical attention, represent you in front of insurers and bill collectors, and protect your right to justice. We hope you’ll contact our Philadelphia, PA office to discuss your case in further detail. Our team is ready and willing to help you start a path to recovery.