A crash with a tractor-trailer is nothing like a fender bender. The injuries are often severe, and trucking companies and their insurers often move quickly to protect themselves while you’re still trying to recover. You deserve someone protecting you, too. Philly Injury Lawyer helps truck accident victims across Philadelphia get answers and take on the companies responsible. Your consultation is free, and you pay nothing unless we win.
A crash with a commercial truck is not an ordinary car accident.
A loaded tractor-trailer can weigh 20 times more than the car you drive. When something that heavy hits a passenger vehicle, motorcycle, cyclist or pedestrian, the results are often devastating: broken bones, brain and spinal injuries, months away from work, and sometimes the loss of a loved one.
Truck cases are also more complicated than car cases. There may be several companies involved, each with its own insurer and lawyers, and federal safety rules that the trucking company has every reason to keep quiet about. At Philly Injury Lawyer, our job is to:
- Protect your rights from the first day.
- Preserve the evidence before the trucking company can lose it.
- Find every party and insurance policy that can be held responsible.
- Fight for full and fair compensation under Pennsylvania law.
You pay nothing up front. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis: We Win or It’s Free®.
Why Truck Accidents Are So Dangerous
In 2023, crashes involving large trucks killed 5,472 people in the United States and injured more than 153,000, according to federal crash data. Roughly nine out of ten of the people killed were not in the truck. They were drivers and passengers in other vehicles, motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Size is the main reason. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds on interstate highways, compared with about 4,000 pounds for a typical car. That weight brings other dangers:
- Longer stopping distances. A heavy truck needs far more room to stop than a car, so following too closely or speeding leaves no margin for error.
- Large blind spots. Trucks have “no-zones” in front, behind and along both sides where the driver cannot see other vehicles.
- Wide turns. Trucks swing wide on right turns, which puts cars, cyclists and pedestrians at risk at city intersections.
- Rollovers and jackknifes. A high center of gravity and shifting cargo make trucks prone to tipping or sliding across lanes.
Truck Traffic in Philadelphia
Philadelphia is a major freight hub. Trucks serve the Port of Philadelphia, distribution centers, construction sites and thousands of businesses every day, and they share some of the region’s busiest roads with everyone else, including:
- I-95 along the Delaware River
- I-76, the Schuylkill Expressway
- I-676, the Vine Street Expressway
- Roosevelt Boulevard (US-1)
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-276)
- Columbus Boulevard and the port area in South Philadelphia
Congestion, frequent merges, construction zones and tight city streets make these corridors especially risky. Learn more about the dangers along Philadelphia truck routes.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Most truck crashes are preventable. When we investigate, we often find one or more of these causes:
Driver Fatigue and Hours-of-Service Violations
Truck drivers are paid to cover miles, and tight delivery schedules push them to keep going. Federal rules limit how long they can drive, but violations are common, and a tired driver reacts like an impaired one.
Distracted Driving
Phones, dispatch messages and navigation screens take a driver’s eyes off the road. At highway speed, a few seconds of distraction means a truck travels the length of a football field without anyone watching.
Speeding and Following Too Closely
A heavy truck cannot stop quickly. Speeding, tailgating and failing to slow down in traffic or bad weather lead to devastating rear-end and multi-vehicle crashes.
Improper Loading and Unsecured Cargo
Overloaded, unbalanced or poorly secured cargo can cause a truck to tip over, lose control or spill its load onto the road.
Poor Maintenance
Worn brakes, bald tires, broken lights and faulty steering are often the result of skipped inspections or deferred repairs.
Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Drivers
Driver shortages lead some companies to put drivers behind the wheel without enough training, or to keep drivers with poor safety records.
Drunk or Drugged Driving
Commercial drivers are subject to drug and alcohol testing because impairment in an 80,000-pound vehicle is so dangerous. When a company fails to test or ignores warning signs, it may share the blame.
Types of Truck Accidents We Handle
We represent people hurt in crashes involving every kind of commercial vehicle, including:
- Tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler accidents
- Tanker truck accidents
- Dump truck accidents
- Box truck accidents
- Delivery truck crashes
- Fatal truck accidents
- Garbage trucks, construction vehicles and other commercial trucks
We also help people injured in truck crashes in the Lehigh Valley through our Allentown truck accident lawyers.
Federal Trucking Rules That Can Strengthen Your Case
Interstate trucking companies and their drivers must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) rules. When those rules are broken, it can be powerful evidence of negligence.
Hours of Service
Drivers carrying freight generally may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, may not drive beyond the 14th hour after coming on duty, must take a 30-minute break after 8 hours of driving, and may not drive after 60 hours on duty in 7 days or 70 hours in 8 days.
Electronic Logging Devices
Most trucks must use an electronic logging device (ELD) that records driving time automatically. Carriers are generally required to keep these records for only six months, which is one reason to act quickly.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
Trucking companies must test drivers before hiring, at random, and after certain crashes.
Inspections and Maintenance
Carriers must inspect, repair and maintain their trucks and keep records of that work. Missing or incomplete maintenance records can point to a company that cut corners.
Insurance Requirements
For-hire interstate trucks carrying general freight must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, and some hazardous material carriers must carry up to $5 million. That coverage can make a real difference for people with serious injuries.
Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?
A truck crash often involves several people and companies. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:
- The truck driver, for careless or unsafe driving.
- The trucking company, which is usually responsible for its drivers’ actions on the job, and may also be liable for negligent hiring, training or supervision, or for pushing unrealistic schedules.
- The owner of the truck or trailer, if different from the trucking company.
- The cargo loader, for overloaded or unsecured freight.
- Maintenance and repair companies, for faulty brakes, tires or other repairs.
- Manufacturers of defective trucks, tires or parts.
- Government agencies, when a dangerous road design or defect contributed. These claims have special notice rules, often within six months.
Identifying every responsible party matters in Pennsylvania. Under the state’s Fair Share Act, a defendant found less than 60% at fault generally pays only its own share of the damages. Bringing in all of the parties who contributed to the crash helps protect your full recovery.
Common Injuries in Truck Accidents
Because of the forces involved, truck crashes often cause serious and long-lasting injuries, such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Broken bones and crush injuries
- Neck and back injuries, including herniated discs
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Burns, especially in tanker and fuel-related crashes
- Amputations and permanent scarring
What Your Truck Accident Claim May Cover
Economic Damages
Medical bills, future treatment and rehabilitation, lost wages, lost earning capacity, property damage, and the cost of help at home.
Non-Economic Damages
Physical pain, emotional distress, scarring, and the loss of enjoyment of life. Learn more about how pain and suffering is calculated.
Punitive Damages
In cases of especially reckless conduct, such as a company knowingly putting an exhausted or unqualified driver on the road, Pennsylvania courts may award punitive damages to punish the wrongdoer.
Wrongful Death
If a truck crash took the life of someone you love, your family may bring a wrongful death claim for lost financial support, companionship, and medical and funeral costs.
What To Do After a Truck Accident in Philadelphia
1. Call 911 and Get Medical Care
Get help for anyone who is hurt and let paramedics check you, even if you feel okay. Some serious injuries don’t show symptoms right away.
2. Report the Crash
Make sure police come to the scene and write a report. Ask for the report number.
3. Gather Information if You Can
Take photos of the vehicles, the scene and your injuries. Note the trucking company’s name and the USDOT number on the truck’s door, and get contact details for witnesses.
4. Don’t Give a Statement to the Trucking Company’s Insurer
Trucking insurers often move fast to limit what they pay. Don’t give a recorded statement or sign anything until you’ve spoken with a lawyer.
5. Follow Up With Your Doctor
Keep every appointment and follow your treatment plan. Your medical records are key evidence of your injuries.
6. Call a Truck Accident Lawyer Quickly
The sooner a lawyer is involved, the sooner key evidence can be preserved.
Why Evidence Disappears Quickly
Trucks carry a wealth of data that can show exactly what happened: speed, braking and engine data from the truck’s “black box,” electronic driving logs, GPS tracking, dash camera footage, and the driver’s phone records. Trucking companies also keep driver qualification files, drug test results, and inspection and maintenance records.
Some of this information can be overwritten or discarded within weeks or months. One of the first things we do is send a preservation letter demanding that the trucking company keep all of it. Learn more about how truck accident investigations work.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Claim?
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. If a government vehicle or a road defect is involved, written notice may be required within six months.
Pennsylvania also uses a comparative negligence rule. You can still recover compensation as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, although your award is reduced by your share of the blame. Don’t assume you have no case because the trucking company says you were partly responsible.
How Philly Injury Lawyer Builds a Truck Accident Case
When you hire us, we start by listening to your story, your concerns and your goals. Then we get to work, which may include:
- Sending preservation letters to protect black box data, driving logs and video.
- Investigating the crash scene and gathering police reports and witness statements.
- Reviewing the driver’s history, hours of service and drug and alcohol testing records.
- Examining the trucking company’s hiring, training and maintenance practices.
- Working with accident reconstruction and medical experts when needed.
- Identifying every responsible party and every available insurance policy.
- Calculating your past and future losses.
- Negotiating hard with insurers and preparing for trial if they refuse to be fair.
We take on the legal fight so you can focus on your recovery.
Philadelphia Truck Accident FAQ
Here are answers to a few of the questions we hear most often. You can find more in our full Philadelphia Truck Accident FAQs.
Truck cases usually involve more than one responsible party, such as the driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader or a maintenance company. Federal safety rules on driving hours, inspections and loading also apply, and the evidence, like electronic logs and black box data, can disappear quickly if it isn’t preserved.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Pennsylvania. If a city or state vehicle or a road defect is involved, you may need to give written notice much sooner, so it’s important to speak with a lawyer early.
It’s best not to give a recorded statement or sign anything before you speak with a lawyer. Trucking insurers often move fast to limit what they pay. You can tell the adjuster that your attorney will be in touch.
You can still recover compensation in Pennsylvania as long as you were not more than 50% at fault. Your award is reduced by your share of the blame, so a thorough investigation of the truck driver’s and the company’s actions is important.
Nothing up front. We handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis, which means we are paid only if we recover money for you. We Win or It’s Free®.
Pennsylvania Law in Plain English
Trucking companies that cross state lines must follow federal safety rules covering how many hours drivers can work, vehicle inspections and how cargo is loaded. Those rules are collected in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and a company that broke them can strengthen your case.
Pennsylvania uses a modified comparative fault rule. You can still recover compensation if you were partly to blame, as long as you were not more than 50% at fault, and your award is reduced by your share of the blame.
In most injury cases, you have two years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Evidence moves faster than that, though: electronic logs and “black box” data can be overwritten, so ask a lawyer to send a preservation letter right away.
Talk to a Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been hurt in a crash with a tractor-trailer, tanker, dump truck, box truck or delivery truck, you don’t have to take on the trucking company alone. Philly Injury Lawyer will listen, explain your options and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
Call or text us at (215) 735-4800 for a free consultation. You pay nothing unless we win. We Win or It’s Free®.