Truck Accident Attorney in Bethlehem, PA

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A truck accident can leave you feeling hurt, helpless, confused, and alone. You may be unsure how you’ll pay for your medical bills or make ends meet while you can’t work. This situation is frustrating and scary, but you don’t need to handle it on your own. The truck accident lawyers in Bethlehem at Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC can manage the entirety of your case while you focus on your recovery.

Call today to see how our Bethlehem personal injury attorneys can help you during a free consultation.

Bethlehem Truck Accident Attorney

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Meet Our Attorneys

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Lawrence Kalikhman, Esquire

Lawrence Kalikhman, Esquire is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Temple University.  Mr. Kalikhman received his Juris Doctorate from the Rutgers University School of Law.  He has experience in Personal Injury Litigation in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. 

Mr. Kalikhman is admitted to practice before state and federal courts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New Jersey.  He is a member of the Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Bucks County Bar Associations, as well as the Pennsylvania Association for Justice.

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Eric Rayz, Esquire

Arkady “Eric” Rayz, Esquire is a summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Temple University.  As an undergraduate, Mr. Rayz was a recipient of the H. Thomas and Dorothy Willits Hallowell Scholarship and Temple University President’s Scholar Award.  Mr. Rayz obtained his Juris Doctorate from the James E. Beasley School of Law of Temple University, where he was a staff member and editor of the Temple International and Comparative Law Journal. 

Mr. Rayz has broad experience in handling matters in federal and state courts and is admitted to practice in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of New York.  He is a member of the Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Bar Associations.

Why Injured Bethlehem Residents Trust Our Team

The attorneys at our firm have over a century of combined experience helping injured people get their lives back. Since opening our doors, we’ve helped thousands of people and recovered tens of millions of dollars. These results are possible because We Take Your Injury Personally. Our award-winning attorneys are committed to you, not to settling your case for the bare minimum and moving on. 

That commitment means taking the time to understand how a truck accident has affected every part of your life, not just your medical bills, but your ability to work, care for your family, and plan for the future. Truck accident cases often involve powerful trucking companies, layered insurance policies, and aggressive defense teams focused on minimizing payouts. Our attorneys are prepared for that reality. We dig deep into the evidence, work with respected experts when needed, and push back when insurers attempt to shift blame or downplay serious injuries. 

Clients also trust our team because we prioritize clear communication and personal attention throughout the process, so you are never left wondering where your case stands or what comes next.

Our Attorneys Fight for Every Dollar Your Accident Has Cost You

The damages you can recover depend on your injuries and losses as well as your insurance policy. You may be entitled to both economic and non-economic damages, including:

  • Medical bills, such as hospitalization costs, emergency transport, prescription medications, ongoing care, and rehabilitation costs
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Miscellaneous expenses related to your crash
  • Property damage
  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

What Challenges Are Unique to Truck Accident Claims in Pennsylvania?

Truck accident claims are far more complex than typical car accident cases. These crashes often involve powerful commercial vehicles, catastrophic injuries, and well-funded corporate defendants. Understanding these challenges (and knowing how to overcome them) is critical to protecting your rights.

Multiple Liable Parties

In many truck accident cases, the driver is only one piece of a much larger puzzle. Liability may extend to several different entities, including:

  • The trucking company
  • Third-party maintenance or repair companies
  • Cargo loading or shipping companies
  • Truck or parts manufacturers

Each of these parties may carry separate insurance policies and legal teams, all working to shift blame and minimize payouts. While multiple liable parties can increase the potential compensation available, they also make these cases significantly more difficult to navigate without experienced legal representation.

More Serious and Costly Injuries

Because accidents often take place on busy thoroughfares like I-78, US 22, or PA 378, victims typically sustain catastrophic or fatal injuries. These injuries frequently require long-term medical treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing care.

When damages are substantial, insurance companies are far more likely to dispute claims, downplay injuries, or argue that medical conditions existed before the crash. Building a clear, well-supported picture of how the injuries occurred (and how they affect your daily life) is essential.

Federal Regulations and Compliance Issues

Truck accident cases are also governed by strict regulations enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules control:

  • How long drivers can remain on the road
  • Required rest periods
  • Vehicle inspection and maintenance standards
  • Cell phone use while driving
  • Drug and alcohol limits, including a lower legal BAC threshold of 0.04

When trucking companies or drivers violate these regulations, it can play a critical role in establishing liability. However, identifying and proving these violations requires detailed knowledge of federal trucking laws and how they intersect with Pennsylvania personal injury claims.

Aggressive Insurance Companies

Trucking companies typically carry large insurance policies, often worth millions of dollars. As a result, insurers aggressively defend these claims. They may delay investigations, deny responsibility, or pressure injured victims into accepting settlements that fall far short of what their case may truly be worth.

Hard-to-Obtain Evidence

Some of the most important evidence in a truck accident case, such as driver logs, black box data, maintenance records, and internal company communications, is controlled by the trucking company. This evidence can be lost, altered, or destroyed if it is not preserved quickly. Knowing what evidence to request and how to secure it can make a significant difference in the outcome of a case.

We Can Handle These Challenges

At Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, we know truck accident claims are not “standard” cases. They often involve catastrophic injuries, multiple defendants, and trucking companies that have teams working to limit what they pay.

That’s where our experience, resources, and approach matter.

We Know the Laws That Apply

Truck accident cases typically involve Pennsylvania negligence law and federal trucking regulations.

We have extensive experience handling these claims and understand how FMCSA regulations can affect liability and your ability to recover compensation.

We also know how to navigate complex Pennsylvania accident laws.

We Move Fast to Preserve Evidence

In truck cases, key evidence can disappear quickly. We act promptly to help secure items like:

  • Driver logs and hours-of-service records
  • Black box / electronic control module (ECM) data
  • Maintenance and inspection records
  • Dispatch communications and trip records
  • Cargo and loading documentation

This early work can make a major difference in how strong the case becomes.

We Build Cases With Respected Experts

We work closely with experts who can explain what happened and why it matters, including:

  • Accident reconstruction specialists
  • Trucking safety professionals
  • Medical experts and treating providers

These experts help show what caused the crash and the full impact the injuries have had on a client’s daily life.

We Fight Back Against Trucking Companies and Insurers

Trucking insurers often come prepared to dispute fault, downplay injuries, or push quick settlements.

We’re known for being aggressive in these negotiations and for fighting hard to pursue the compensation our clients may be entitled to.

We Keep Clients Supported and Informed

We focus on communication and personalized care. Clients deserve to understand what’s happening and what comes next—without feeling left in the dark.

We Have the Resources to Take These Cases On

Truck accident claims can require major investigation, expert support, and litigation readiness.

Our track record includes significant settlements and verdicts, reflecting the experience and dedication we bring to serious injury cases.

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Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Wreck

Over the past two decades, we’ve seen truck accident victims make both small and big mistakes that jeopardize cases, including:

  • Not getting medical care: Delaying or skipping medical treatment can seriously harm both your health and your claim, as insurers often argue that your injuries were not serious or were caused by something else. Prompt medical records help document the full extent of your injuries and connect them to the crash.
  • Giving a recorded statement: Insurance adjusters may ask for a recorded statement early on, but these conversations are often designed to elicit comments that can be used against you later. Even seemingly harmless answers can be taken out of context to minimize or deny your claim.
  • Telling the truck driver or insurance company that you are okay: Many people say they are “fine” out of shock or adrenaline, only to realize later that they are seriously injured. Unfortunately, those statements may later be used to challenge the legitimacy or severity of your injuries.
  • Posting about your injuries on social media: Photos, comments, or status updates can be misinterpreted and used by insurance companies to argue that you are less injured than you claim. Even innocent posts can undermine your credibility and damage your case.
  • Waiting to get started on your case: You have a limited time to take action after a truck crash. If you don’t file your lawsuit before the deadline outlined in 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2), you risk recovering nothing.
  • Not hiring the right type of legal team: Truck accident cases are far more complex than typical car accidents and often involve multiple defendants, federal regulations, and corporate insurers. Not all attorneys have the resources or experience necessary to handle these high-stakes cases effectively.
  • Handling a case on your own: Attempting to manage a truck accident claim without legal representation often puts injured victims at a disadvantage against well-funded trucking companies and insurers. Without guidance, critical evidence may be lost and important deadlines or legal options may be overlooked.

Our Team Is Ready to Seek Justice for You

Truck accidents can leave victims facing devastating injuries, mounting medical bills, and powerful trucking companies determined to limit liability. We understand how overwhelming this process can feel, especially when insurers attempt to shift blame or downplay serious harm. At Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, we step in to protect injured individuals, investigate complex truck accident claims, and pursue the compensation they may be entitled to under Pennsylvania law. Contact Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help.

FAQs

What Are Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents in Bethlehem are often the result of driver negligence or unsafe operating practices. 

Common causes include driver fatigue, intoxicated driving, and speeding, as well as failing to adjust to weather or road conditions. 

Distracted driving, unsafe right turns, and driver inexperience can also significantly increase the risk of serious truck crashes.

What Injuries Commonly Occur in Truck Crashes?

Because of the size and weight of commercial trucks, the injuries caused by these collisions are frequently severe or life-altering. Victims may suffer: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Internal bleeding
  • Amputations
  • Crush injuries
  • Organ damage
  • Penetrating wounds
  • Broken bones or fractures

How Do You Negotiate a Truck Accident Settlement?

Our attorneys negotiate a truck accident settlement by building the strongest possible case and then refusing to back down from the insurance companies when they offer less than our clients deserve.

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