Penn Hills Truck Accident Lawyers

The roads of Pennsylvania are full of tractor-trailers transporting everything from raw materials and manufacturing components to retail goods and food. While the majority of truck trips are completed without any issues, some end in tragedy. Truck accidents are a growing problem across the United States, and occupants of passenger vehicles generally bear the worst outcomes.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident, you should know that the other driver’s employer is already working on ways to limit their financial fallout and prevent you from recovering fair compensation. You need an aggressive attorney who is ready to fight for what you deserve. Call Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman at 866-565-4949 to set up a consultation now.

Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania

Truck crashes in Pennsylvania have been relatively stable in recent years, although they did reach a five-year low in 2020. Some analysts have indicated that low accident rates in 2020 may be a result of less travel during COVID, so it remains to be seen how 2021 and 2022 accident rates will play out.

In 2020, there were over 6,300 truck accidents in Pennsylvania, resulting in 110 deaths. The majority of deaths and fatalities happened on interstates and state highways. In the Penn Hills area, that may include roads like the Pennsylvania Turnpike, I-376, and William Penn Highway.

Although most accidents are a result of driver behavior, some are caused by mechanical failures. The most common causes of defect-related accidents include tire defects, defective brakes, overloaded trailers, and power train failure.

Of the 110 fatalities resulting from truck crashes, 22 were truck occupants. It’s clear, then, that those in other vehicles are far more likely to sustain severe or life-threatening injuries in a truck accident.

The Dangers of Truck Collisions

Unfortunately, the nature of tractor-trailers and the work done by truck drivers means that accidents are practically inevitable. Tractor-trailers are bulky, oddly shaped, and difficult to maneuver when compared to passenger vehicles. This means that when there’s inclement weather, unsafe roads, or heavy traffic, truck drivers will have a harder time staying safe and stopping in a timely manner.

A tractor-trailer’s layout also means that it has huge blind spots on all four sides, and drivers stuck in any of those blind spots are in serious danger. On top of that, a loaded tractor-trailer weighs over one dozen times more than a standard passenger vehicle. As a result, the vehicle is harder to control and capable of inflicting a lot of damage.

Truck drivers are also under a significant amount of pressure to finish deliveries in an unrealistic amount of time to maximize company profits. Because of this, drivers may take loads when they are overworked and tired. They may also skip breaks, drive through the night, and ignore federal driving regulations in order to keep their job safe. Unfortunately, this all significantly increases the risk of an accident.

Compensation You May Receive After a Crash

If you are hurt in a truck accident, you may be able to demand compensation from the liable party. This begins with establishing liability. The person who causes your accident can be held financially responsible for your medical bills and other accident-related expenses.

To prove that someone is liable for a crash, you must be able to show that:

• The other person had a duty of care to you, a requirement that is met when someone is on the road—drivers have an obligation to drive in a reasonably safe manner
• The other person violated that duty, perhaps by driving while distracted or failing to check their blind spot
• That violation of duty caused the accident
• The accident caused your injuries, which led to measurable losses for you

The examples given above assume that the other driver is liable. However, there are other people who may be liable in a truck crash. They include the truck driver’s employer, the company that loaded the cargo, and the government agency tasked with maintaining the road.

Upon proving liability, you may be able to request compensation for:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical expenses and lost earning opportunities (for accidents resulting in severe and permanent injury)
• Wrongful death (for fatal accidents)

Be ready to prove the losses you’ve suffered as a result of the accident. You may need to provide medical records, medical bills, the police report, and evidence of your time away from work. In some cases, a personal injury journal can also be helpful. This is one reason you should start working with a truck accident lawyer right away—they can help you collect the best evidence for your claim.

How an Attorney Can Help

At this point, you may be wondering when you need a truck accident lawyer. The best time is immediately after an accident, and the second-best time is now. Truck accidents are unbelievably expensive, so trucking companies and their insurance providers are committed to minimizing their own out-of-pocket expenses as much as possible.

The easiest way to do that is to avoid paying you and other victims what is owed. As soon as they find out about an accident, they begin an investigation. Part of that investigation is looking for ways they can deny liability and even blame the accident on you.

Without an attorney, you stand little chance of actually getting what you’re owed. At Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman, we know just how these insurance companies work and the lengths they’ll go to in order to avoid a fair settlement. We’ll use our extensive experience in this area of law to build the strongest case possible for you and put the liable party in a position where they must take you seriously. In the meantime, you can focus on recovering.

Reach Out Today—We’re Here to Help

The team at Caroselli, Beachler & Coleman is the right choice for your truck accident claim. Take the first step now and set up a consultation. Just give us a call at 866-565-4949 or contact us online.