Scranton Truck Accident Lawyer

Accidents involving large trucks can be devastating. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 11 people die on average every day in trucking accidents, and an additional 100,000 sustain injuries. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which regulates the trucking industry, reports that these numbers have been increasing steadily since 2009. What’s the reason for this disturbing trend?

One problem seems to be the lack of dedication to safety amongst truckers and their employers. Consider these statistics:

• In 2014, the last year the FMCSA published data, 175,000 drivers were ordered off the road because they had too many violations on their record.
• In the same year, 2.1 million trucks were ordered off the road because they failed to meet safety standards.

Truck accidents can involve any large vehicle, including 18 wheelers, semis, and delivery trucks. These accidents tend to be severe, and injuries can require extensive treatment.

Special Considerations for Trucking Accidents

If you’re in a car accident in Pennsylvania, you have the option to sue the driver at fault under Pennsylvania’s “choice no-fault” rules. For accidents involving trucks, the rules are a little different. If you want to pursue a claim above and beyond what the insurance companies offer, you’ll need to prove that the trucker was at fault for the accident. In these types of accidents, one of several parties might be to blame: the driver themselves, their employer, and/or the manufacturer of the truck that hit you. Here are some examples of things we consider when determining fault in truck accident cases:

• Truck drivers are required to follow strict rules and regulations established by the federal government. They may not, for example, drive too much over a 24-hour period and must get a certain amount of rest. Failing to adhere to these regulations is negligence.
• If truck drivers have a poor history or a record of substance abuse, the employer of the driver may have been negligent in hiring them.
• If the truck isn’t maintained properly or misses safety checks, the employer may be negligent in its upkeep.
• If an accident occurs as the result of an automotive defect, the manufacturer of the truck may be to blame.

Kinds of Compensation for Trucking Accidents

If your accident results in severe injuries, you may be able to pursue a claim against the trucking company or manufacturer, even if you carry no-fault insurance. Your settlement, while it cannot erase the memory of the accident, will help you pay for things like:

• Medical expenses, including hospital bills, tests, and the ongoing costs of physical rehabilitation and therapy
• Lost wages, including missed work days and any loss in earning capacity

These are referred to as economic, or special damages. We can also recover damages from intangible losses, which are also referred to as general damages. These include:

• Pain and suffering, which includes mental, physical, or emotional distress you suffered as a direct result of the accident
• Loss of consortium, companionship, or partnership, in the case of a wrongful death suit

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

At the law offices of Rosenbaum & Associates, we adhere to the premise that you shouldn’t have to pay for the negligence of another. We’re committed to helping Wilkes-Barre area families collect compensation for their injuries. If you believe you have grounds for a personal injury claim, contact our truck accident attorneys and request a free initial consultation. Our contingency fee agreements offer legal services at no risk to you. Let us put our 25 years of experience to work – for more information or to schedule your case evaluation, contact us.