In 2018, large trucks were involved in 112,000 injury crashes and 414,000 property damage-only crashes. If you were injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation. Give our truck accident attorneys a call today to discuss your options.
Who are the liable parties involved in a Pennsylvania truck accident?
Large trucks are defined as any truck with a gross vehicle weight larger than 10,000 pounds, except buses and motorhomes. You will want to keep in mind that when it comes to truck accidents, there can be many parties involved, which suggests that many parties can be held responsible. These responsible parties can include:
- Negligent truck drivers: If truck drivers speed, drive while fatigued, drive while intoxicated, or otherwise violate the rules and regulations of the road, they can cause a severe/fatal accident.
- Negligent truck company employers: If a truck company employer does not ensure that his or her drivers are certified and sufficiently trained, they may be held partly responsible for an accident. Furthermore, truck drivers are not permitted to drive more than 11 hours within a 14-hour workday, allocating them no more than 70 hours of driving a week. If a company knows a driver is exceeding these hours, they may be held responsible for an accident.
- Negligent truck company employees: Employees are responsible for preserving the trucks and assuring they are in perfect condition. If a truck is not properly maintained, these employees may be held responsible. They are also liable for packing the trucks, and if a truck is inadequately loaded, resulting in materials coming loose and injuring others on the road, the company employees can be penalized.
- Faulty truck parts: In many cases, truck accidents are a result of faulty truck parts constructed by negligent product designers or manufacturers. In this instance, you would file a product liability lawsuit.
What actions should I take after my accident to seek financial compensation?
If you are injured as a result of another party’s negligence and you would like to seek legal action to retrieve the compensation you need to heal and move forward, you will have to demonstrate that this negligence happened. In order to achieve this, there are some important steps to take after an accident:
- Call 911: The police will dispatch an ambulance, file a report, perform chemical tests, and obtain witness statements.
- Document the scene: Be sure to take pictures and videos of any damage done to the truck, your car, and any property involved.
- Obtain witness contacts: If anyone witnessed the accident occur, they may be able to verify your version of events. This can be especially useful during a personal injury case.
- Seek medical attention: It is important that you go to the hospital, your doctor, or an urgent care facility right after an accident occurs. You will want to ask your doctor for a copy of any relevant medical documents as well for future reference in your personal injury claim.
