Truck drivers are a vital part of the American economy, hauling freight hundreds and even thousands of miles cross-country in order to bring goods to consumers, equipment to builders, and much more. Without truckers, we could not have many of the goods and services we enjoy nationwide.
However, some truck drivers engage in risky practices that result in traffic accidents, and because of the massive size of these vehicles, these collisions often result in major injuries across Multiple Vehicles.
If you were hurt in a big rig crash and want to discuss the possibility of taking legal action with a Truck Accident Lawyer, the skilled staff at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. are available for a free consultation.
What to do after a truck accident in Allentown
Getting into a truck accident can be a terrifying and painful experience, making it difficult to know which way to turn for help. Here is what you need to do after being involved in a crash with an 18-wheeler:
- Get medical attention right away and get any injuries you sustained treated. Bear in mind that some injuries (like soft-tissue injuries, also known as “whiplash”) may not seem very painful at first, but can become excruciating as more time goes by after the accident.
- Document your injuries and the accident. Take photos of injuries and damages to personal property, retain copies of medical bills, and get contact information from anyone who witnessed the accident. Create a timeline describing the chain of events leading up to the accident taking place.
- Contact an attorney to discuss your case and the possibility of filing a lawsuit in civil court.
Factors That Can Contribute to Truck Crashes
Various factors can contribute to truck accidents taking place, including:
- Truck driver fatigue
- Truck driver intoxication
- Poor truck maintenance
- Bad road conditions
- Poor visibility
Truck Accident Facts and Stats
According to data published by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Commission, there were more than 4,300 fatalities attributed to truck accidents in the United States in 2016, with more than 30,000 fatalities occurring on American roadways that year overall.
Approximately 145,000 people are estimated to have been injured in crashes involving big rigs in 2016—the largest number of Large Truck Crash Injuries during a single year in the 20 year period between 1996 and 2016.
FAQs for Allentown Truck Accident Attorney
Driving a vehicle as huge and powerful as a truck requires special training, caution, and dedication to obeying traffic laws. Unfortunately, not all drivers of tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers, semi-trailers, and other commercial trucks have what it takes to operate these monstrous vehicles safely with extra caution.
If you have been in a collision with a large truck, contacting an Allentown Truck Accident Attorney is your best course of action. Failure to seek legal representation could result in your inability to protect your rights if you were injured or someone you love died in a Fatal Truck Crash.
There are certain things that you need to understand about Pennsylvania law regarding truck crashes to protect yourself and your family. Personal injury cases stemming from truck collisions tend to be the most complicated ones, which is why it requires a greater level of legal prowess and solid experience in litigation.
Why Do Truck Crashes Cause Severe Injuries?
Typically, injuries suffered in a truck accident are more severe than Car Accident injuries due to the size of the trucks.
In order to understand why an average truck accident results in severe injuries, you need to understand what sets trucks apart from all other motor vehicles. The average truck weighs around 34,000 pounds, which stands in stark contrast to 4,000 pounds, which the weight of an average passenger car.
Given the difference in weight and size, it makes sense why drivers and occupants of passenger vehicles are at a greater risk of injury and death compared to truck drivers.
What Should I Do if I Get a Call from a Trucking Company Representative?
Typically, someone from the trucking company whose vehicle was involved in a crash will reach out to you in an attempt to get you to accept a low-ball settlement offer.
Do not agree to give a recorded statement and do not sign any documents offered by the trucking company or its insurance carrier. In fact, you have a right to refuse to speak with the trucking company.
Let an Allentown Truck Accident Lawyer handle all the negotiations on your behalf to ensure that you are getting fair compensation.
Who Can Be Liable for Causing Your Truck Accident Injury?
There are multiple parties who can be held liable for your damages and losses after a truck crash, including but not limited to:
- The at-fault trucker;
- Trucking company;
- The owner of the truck;
- The company leasing the truck and/or trailer;
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts; and
- A third-party company is responsible for loading cargo.
Injuries sustained in a truck crash can be devastating and include Neck Injuries, Back Injury, and Spinal Injury, among others. Since truck accidents tend to be more disastrous than regular car crashes, it is not uncommon for families of victims to pursue a Wrongful Death claim against the liable parties.
How Can an Allentown Truck Accident Attorney Help?
After contacting an experienced lawyer here at The Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., your attorneys will offer you a free consultation and launch investigation into the details of how and why the accident occurred. As part of the investigation, an Allentown Truck Accident Lawyer will:
- Request and review camera footage;
- Interview witnesses and convince them to testify in court;
- Analyze the truck driver’s past accidents, convictions, and traffic tickets;
- Review the trucking company’s policies;
- Interview medical staff and other medical experts to document the extent of your injury;
- Consult with accident reconstruction experts to determine liability;
- Preserve evidence that could be tampered with or destroyed by the trucking company and trucker;
- Request alcohol and drug testing from the truck driver;
- Review the truck’s black box information; and
- Request and review the driver’s logbook to ensure that he or she complied with the Hours of Service (HoS) regulations.
There are many things a skilled lawyer can do to help your truck accident case succeed and bring you maximum compensation.
We Can Help If You Were Injured in a Heavy Truck Crash
If you were injured in a truck collision and need an Allentown Personal Injury Lawyer , the attorneys at the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C. can help you file a legal claim in civil court. We are Personal Injury Litigation specialists, and we are not afraid to take your case as far as it needs to go in order to get you made whole.
We will fight to get you the financial compensation you are qualified to receive as an accident injury victim, and we will work hard to make sure you get every penny you are entitled to. Contact Us Today for a Free Case Evaluation.