If you have driven anywhere in the Philadelphia area, you have certainly seen large commercial trucks like semis, tankers, big-rigs, and flatbeds traveling from place to place. While the majority of trips undertaken by commercial vehicles go smoothly and without incident, it is important to remember that the vehicles are capable of causing serious injury when they are involved in accidents and pose a risk to everyone who shares the road with them.
At The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers, we are committed to representing the rights of individuals who have been injured in truck accidents in and around Philadelphia and throughout the state. Below is some information about truck accidents and truck accident litigation that may be helpful to motorists generally and people who have been hurt in a wreck with a commercial truck in particular.
Truck Accidents Are Often the Result of Truck Driver Negligence
The rules of the road are there to keep us all safe. Hypothetically, if everyone followed all traffic laws at all times, accidents would almost never happen. Unfortunately, as we all know, motor vehicle accidents occur on a daily basis, and they are often attributable to the negligence of a single driver. There are many ways that a truck driver’s negligence can result in a serious accident. Some of the more common examples of such negligence include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Hours of service violations
- Following too closely
- Ignoring adverse weather conditions
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulation (FMCSR) violations
Truck Crashes Can Cause Extremely Serious Injuries
Trucks often weigh 20-30 times as much as the passenger vehicles with which they share the road. When they are involved in collisions, they can literally crush other vehicles and cause extremely serious injuries to the people inside. Examples of injuries that are commonly sustained in truck accidents include the following:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Amputations
- Spinal cord injuries
In many cases, victims who sustain injuries like those listed above or others are unable to work for an extended period of time and incur medical bills well into the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars. In particularly serious cases, victims will need ongoing care for the rest of their lives and may be unable to earn a living.
The fact that these injuries can be so serious and have such devastating consequences means that truck accident victims can often recover significant compensation for their current and future losses.
Truck Accident Victims Should ALWAYS Retain an Attorney
Many truck accident victims question whether they need to retain a lawyer to represent them, especially if the trucking company’s or truck driver’s insurance company is making a settlement offer. It is important to understand that determining the value of a truck accident case is a complicated matter, and you need to have an idea of what your case is worth before accepting a settlement offer. In addition, insurance companies have been known to engage in tactics that are designed to get victims to accidentally admit liability for their accident, so it is best to allow your lawyer to communicate with the insurance company on your behalf.
You Will Not Pay Legal Fees Unless You Recover Compensation
As a truck accident victim, you may be worried about how much it will cost you to retain an attorney. Because we take all our injury cases on a contingency fee basis, you can rest assured that you will be able to afford legal representation. Our fees are contingent upon recovering money on your behalf, which means that we do not get paid unless you do.
Call a Philadelphia Auto Accident Lawyer Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
If you have been injured in an accident with a commercial truck, you should enlist the help of an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. To schedule a free consultation with one of our lawyers, call The Levin Firm Personal Injury Lawyers today at 215-825-5183 or contact us online.