Table of Contents
Commercial truck accidents often leave victims facing serious injuries, expensive medical bills, and uncertainty about the future. Because these cases typically involve trucking companies, commercial insurers, and federal regulations, pursuing compensation can be complicated. At Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, our truck accident attorneys in Cheltenham help injured individuals understand their legal options after serious truck accidents.
Contact us for a free consultation. Our Cheltenham personal injury lawyers can fight for you and your family.
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Meet Our Attorneys
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.
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 Choose Our Lawyers After a Truck Accident?
Truck accident cases are often more complex than standard car accident claims. Victims may be facing catastrophic injuries, while insurance companies do what they can to minimize payouts. Our firm provides experienced, personalized representation focused on protecting our clients’ interests.
Our team has more than 100 years of combined experience handling personal injury cases throughout Pennsylvania and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for injured clients. We understand how to investigate truck accident claims, preserve evidence, and identify potential safety violations that may have contributed to the crash.
We also recognize how overwhelming these accidents can be for victims and families. That is why we prioritize compassionate communication, personalized attention, and informative representation throughout the legal process.
How We Investigate and Handle Truck Accident Cases
Our attorneys take a detailed approach to investigating these cases and building strong claims for our clients.
Preserving Critical Evidence
We work quickly to preserve important evidence such as black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, inspection reports, and dashcam footage before it can be lost or destroyed.
Investigating Safety Violations
Our firm investigates whether trucking companies or drivers violated FMCSA regulations involving driver fatigue, hours-of-service limits, maintenance issues, or cargo loading requirements.
Working With Experts
When necessary, we work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and other experts to better understand how the crash occurred and how the injuries may affect a victim’s future.
Standing Up to Insurance Companies
Insurance carriers often attempt to dispute liability or minimize injuries in truck accident cases. We prepare every case carefully and remain ready to negotiate or pursue litigation when necessary.
We Help Injured Truck Accident Victims Fight for Every Cent
Truck accidents frequently cause devastating injuries and long-term physical, emotional, and financial challenges. We can build a case to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Rehabilitation costs
- Other damages related to the accident
Because these crashes often involve catastrophic injuries, compensation may also include future medical treatment and long-term care needs. In fatal accidents, surviving family members may have the right to pursue wrongful death damages.
We Understand the Complexities of Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases can quickly become complex for several reasons:
Multiple Parties May Be Liable
Responsibility may extend beyond the truck driver to include:
- Trucking companies
- Cargo loaders
- Maintenance providers
- Manufacturers
Critical Evidence Must Be Preserved
Truck accident investigations often involve black box data, driver logs, GPS records, maintenance reports, and other evidence that can disappear quickly if not preserved.
Severe Injuries Increase the Stakes
Because commercial trucks are significantly larger than passenger vehicles, these crashes frequently result in catastrophic injuries, including brain injuries, spinal cord damage, fractures, and permanent disabilities.
Insurance Companies Often Fight Claims
Commercial insurers frequently attempt to shift blame or minimize injuries to reduce payouts. At Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, our Cheltenham truck accident lawyers work to build strong, evidence-based claims focused on protecting our clients’ interests.
How Negligence Causes Truck Accidents
Many truck accidents are preventable and occur because a driver, trucking company, or another party failed to act safely and responsibly. Because commercial trucks are large, heavy, and difficult to maneuver, even a single act of negligence can lead to devastating consequences for other motorists.
Driver Fatigue
Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road and may feel pressure to meet delivery deadlines. Fatigued driving can slow reaction times, impair judgment, and increase the risk of serious accidents.
Regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Administration (FMCSA) restrict how long drivers can remain on the road to prevent crashes.
Distracted Driving
Using cell phones, GPS systems, dispatch devices, or other distractions behind the wheel can take a driver’s attention away from the road and lead to catastrophic collisions. FMCSA regulations prohibit drivers from texting or making handheld phone calls.
Speeding and Aggressive Driving
Commercial trucks require greater stopping distances than passenger vehicles. Speeding, tailgating, unsafe lane changes, and aggressive driving behaviors can make accidents more likely and increase the severity of injuries.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Trucking companies are responsible for properly maintaining their vehicles. Brake failures, worn tires, steering problems, and other mechanical issues may contribute to serious crashes when trucks are not inspected or repaired properly.
Improper Cargo Loading
Overloaded or improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, increasing the risk of rollovers, jackknife accidents, and loss of vehicle control.
We investigate whether negligence by a truck driver, trucking company, or another party may have contributed to an accident and work to build strong claims supported by evidence.
We Help Injured Cheltenham Residents After All Types of Truck Crashes
At Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, our Cheltenham truck accident lawyers represent victims injured in a wide range of truck accident cases, including:
- Jackknife accidents
- Underride and override collisions
- Rollover crashes
- Rear-end accidents
- Blind spot collisions
- Accidents involving overloaded or improperly secured cargo
These collisions frequently cause serious injuries, like traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, broken bones, internal injuries, burns, and permanent disabilities. Many victims require extensive medical treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care following a serious truck accident.
Our firm understands the physical, emotional, and financial toll these injuries can have on victims and their families. We work to investigate the cause of the crash, identify liable parties, and pursue compensation that reflects the full extent of our clients’ losses.
See What Our Team Can Do for You After a Commercial Vehicle Crash
Truck accidents can leave victims facing serious injuries, overwhelming financial stress, and uncertainty about what comes next. Because these cases often involve complex investigations, multiple liable parties, and aggressive insurance companies, you don’t want to handle this situation on your own.
At Kalikhman & Rayz, LLC, we are committed to helping injured individuals and families navigate the challenges that follow a serious truck accident. Our firm understands the physical, emotional, and financial impact these collisions can have, and we work to build strong claims focused on protecting our clients’ interests and pursuing the compensation they may be entitled to recover.
If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, call us today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident Claim?
Liability in a truck accident claim may extend beyond the truck driver. Depending on the circumstances, trucking companies, cargo loading companies, maintenance providers, vehicle manufacturers, or other third parties may also be responsible. Determining liability often requires a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident, driver records, maintenance history, and compliance with federal trucking regulations.
How Long Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, injured individuals generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, certain circumstances may affect the applicable statute of limitations. Because evidence in truck accident cases can disappear quickly, it is important to begin investigating the claim as soon as possible after the collision.
What Evidence Is Important in a Truck Accident Investigation?
Truck accident investigations often involve evidence that is not present in ordinary car accident cases. Important evidence may include black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, inspection reports, dashcam footage, traffic camera footage, GPS tracking information, and witness statements. Medical records and accident scene photographs may also help demonstrate how the collision occurred and the severity of the injuries.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially at Fault?
Possibly. Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule, which means injured parties may still recover compensation if they were partially responsible for the accident, provided they were not more than 50% at fault. However, any compensation awarded may be reduced based on the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party.
Testimonials