Philadelphia Truck Accident Attorney

You do not have to fight alone. Kalikhman & Rayz can act as your advocate and ally. Our Philadelphia personal injury lawyers will work to build a solid claim and aggressively pursue every cent owed to you and your family. When you work with us, you can rest and recover knowing your legal issue is in the hands of our award-winning attorneys and compassionate staff. Contact us online or call us for a free consultation.

Truck Accident Injuries Can Be Catastrophic and Deadly

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), collisions involving heavy trucks reached a five-year high in 2022. That year, more than 7,500 truck accidents happened inside the state, including 145 accidents involving fatal injuries.

Commercial trucks are usually heavier, sit higher, and take longer to stop than passenger vehicles. For these reasons, the force of impact of a truck can be catastrophic. Our firm has experience with severe and deadly injury claims. We can assist if you or your loved one suffered injuries in a commercial motor vehicle accident, including:

• Head injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Back, neck, and shoulder injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Broken bones
• Loss of a limb
• Loss of a bodily function

When these or other injuries leave you with pain and bills, you can reach out to our firm for help.

We Help Truck Accident Victims Seek Full and Fair Compensation

We know that insurance agents do not always treat injured parties fairly. Their job is to look out for the insurance company’s bottom line – not your best interests. To that end, they may try to pressure you into accepting an initial offer that is less than you deserve.

Our firm strives to help victims get back on their feet by aggressively pursuing financial resources for their medical care and more. Maximizing your motor vehicle accident recovery is our primary goal. Our truck accident lawyers serving Philadelphia, PA, can fight for full and fair compensation for the following truck accident damages:

• Ongoing and future medical bills and expenses
• Lost income and benefits
• Lost future earnings and reduced earning capacity
• Vehicle repair or replacement costs
• Household expenses and services that you can no longer perform on your own
• Pain and suffering associated with your physical harm
• Scarring, disfigurement, and permanent and disabling injuries
• Mental distress and emotional anguish
• Diminished quality of life or loss of enjoyment
• Wrongful death damages if a loved one passed away after a truck accident

To learn more about how we can pursue awards, call our number or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.

How Will Pennsylvania’s Auto Insurance Laws Affect Your Case?

Pennsylvania follows what is commonly referred to as a “no-fault” insurance system. This system establishes laws that require motorists to carry personal injury protection (PIP) insurance. PIP pays for medical expenses up to the policy limit after a crash, regardless of fault. However, Pennsylvania is unique because it allows drivers to choose full or limited tort coverage.

Recoverable damages after an auto accident will depend on the type of insurance selected:

• Limited tort – Drivers with limited tort pay lower premiums. They can seek compensation for medical expenses exceeding their PIP from a liable driver but not for pain and suffering unless they have a “serious injury,” as defined by the policy.
• Full tort – Drivers with full tort will pay higher premiums, but the benefit of this coverage is that it allows them to essentially step outside the no-fault system. Drivers with full tort have the unrestricted right to pursue losses from a liable party, including compensation for pain and suffering.

Our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys can review your auto insurance and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation against trucking companies and other potentially liable parties. We will handle claims and aggressively seek the highest settlement available under the terms of the involved policies.

Commercial Vehicle Accident Liability in a Philadelphia Accident

Liability for truck accidents can be complex because there is often more than one financially responsible party. At-fault parties may include:

• Commercial vehicle operators – Many truck accidents result from driver negligence. A truck driver may be at fault if they were drinking and driving, violating Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Hours of Service, or disobeying traffic laws.
• Trucking companies – A trucking company can be liable for its employees’ negligence under a legal principle known as vicarious liability. A trucking company may also be liable in its own right for negligent actions, including failing to train drivers, failing to perform mandatory alcohol and drug testing, or setting unreasonable delivery schedules.
• Cargo/shipping companies – The owner of a truck’s cargo or the entity that packed the truck may be at fault for accidents caused by unsecured, overloaded, or improperly loaded cargo.
• A mechanic or manufacturer – The owner of a truck has a duty to ensure it is maintained and inspected. You may have a claim against the entity in charge of the truck if a vehicle defect contributed to the crash.
• A property owner or government entity – Property owners and government entities may be liable for accidents caused by negligent road conditions, such as lack of maintenance, broken traffic signals, or obstructed road signs.
• Third-party motorists – A third-party motorist may be at fault if their actions led to the truck accident or caused you or the truck driver to make a defensive maneuver that resulted in the crash.

Our attorneys can investigate the cause of the truck accident and determine liability. We can pursue multiple claims if our investigation reveals multiple parties are at fault.

Our Truck Accident Lawyers Can Fight for You

At Kalikhman & Rayz, we do not believe victims should have to pay for the negligent or wrongful behavior of others. We will do everything in our power to ease your legal burden and secure full and fair compensation so you can focus on healing.

Our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys will provide you with compassionate and comprehensive legal care. Our team can:

• Conduct a thorough investigation
• Identify and calculate your damages
• Prepare and file insurance claims and legal paperwork
• Handle case-related meetings, phone calls, and emails
• Manage deadlines, case details, and red tape
• Aggressively negotiate for the maximum compensation possible
• Protect you from bad-faith insurance tactics and pressure to accept a hasty or lowball settlement
• Represent you at trial if necessary

Do not wait too long to get started. 42 Pa. C.S.A. § 5524(2) allows two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Pennsylvania. The court will likely throw out the case if the statute of limitations expires, and you may not be able to negotiate a fair settlement with the other party.