Pursuing Justice For Western Pennsylvania Truck Accidents
When a commercial truck accident changes your life, you’re often left with painful injuries and a confusing legal process. As a truck accident attorney from Cranberry Township, I provide experienced representation to those harmed by negligent trucking companies and drivers.
I am a strong advocate for individuals and families in Butler, Allegheny and Beaver counties who are burdened by overwhelming medical bills and lost income due to truck accidents. With nearly 35 years of experience as a semi-truck collision lawyer, I understand what you’re going through.
Contact Robert S. Andrews, Jr. Attorney at Law to discuss your truck accident case and explore your options for recovery.
Why Truck Accidents Happen
Devastating underride collisions, dangerous jackknife accidents and catastrophic rollovers are just some of the unique accident types that make commercial truck crashes particularly severe. When for some car accidents the impact might be manageable, for truck accidents, even a seemingly small crash can lead to severe damage and injuries.
As a truck accident attorney, I investigate the underlying causes that lead to these life-altering events in 18-wheeler accident claims:
- Hours-of-service violations where drivers exceed legally mandated driving limits
- Improper loading leading to dangerous rollover incidents
- Truck driver negligence, including distracted driving or substance impairment
- Inadequate vehicle maintenance resulting in brake failures or tire blowouts
- Violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations and Department of Transportation (DOT) compliance standards
- Negligent hiring practices that put unqualified drivers behind the wheel
- Failure to properly secure hazardous materials
Not only is the danger here the trucks and their huge size and weight, but also the complex web of corporate entities involved in commercial trucking operations.
Driver Or Trucking Company: Truck Accident Liability
Establishing fault and truck accident liability isn’t straightforward. Truck drivers are initially the focus after catastrophic truck accidents. However, the legal reality is much more complex than that. Violations of federal trucking regulations may implicate multiple parties beyond just the driver.
For instance, if a tractor-trailer accident occurred because the driver fell asleep at the wheel, fault might extend to the trucking company through the principle of vicarious liability. If they encouraged violation of hours-of-service regulations or failed to properly monitor electronic logging devices, it’s possible for them to share the blame.
My Role As A Truck Accident Attorney
My role as a commercial truck accident attorney is to build a case that clearly demonstrates liability. To do this, I analyze whether trucking companies engaged in negligent hiring or failed to follow rules about mandatory rest periods. My work also includes:
- Conducting a detailed accident reconstruction to establish exactly what happened
- Reviewing driver logs and electronic records for hours-of-service violations
- Examining whether commercial driver requirements were properly followed
- Investigating maintenance records for evidence of neglect
- Identifying any corporate policies that encouraged unsafe practices
All negligent parties, whether the driver or the trucking company, need to be held accountable for your injuries, and I will work to help make that happen.
Insight Into Commercial Motor Vehicle Accidents
To understand truck accidents better, below are frequently asked questions about commercial vehicle collisions.
What evidence is most crucial to establish liability in a commercial truck accident case?
Proving fault in truck accidents requires specific evidence. This often includes driver logs, the truck’s “black box” data, maintenance history, driver files and drug test results. Company policies and driver communications can also be important to your case. It’s important to gather this information quickly to avoid losing legal access to it.
How does Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law affect truck accident claims?
In Pennsylvania, you can still get compensation in a truck accident if you are partly at fault. The threshold is 50% or less to blame for the incident. However, if you are 51% or more at fault, you can’t sue for damages.
What compensation can families pursue if a loved one was fatally injured in a truck accident?
A wrongful death claim can help families recover several types of compensation. These include financial costs related to the death and compensation for the loss itself. Eligible family members, such as spouses, children and parents of the deceased, can pursue this claim.
Injured In A Truck Accident? Don’t File A Claim On Your Own.
Truck accidents change lives instantly. Catastrophic injuries, mounting medical bills and lost wages are just some of the ways these crashes devastate families. You deserve legal representation from a skilled truck accident attorney.
To schedule a consultation at my firm, Robert S. Andrews, Jr. Attorney at Law, call 724-460-0400 or complete this online form. I hold consultations at my Pittsburgh office when requested.