Truck Accidents

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Pennsylvania Truck Accident Attorneys

Serving Our Community for Over 135 Years

Accidents between passenger cars and tractor-trailer trucks on Pennsylvania roads and highways can be catastrophic events, resulting in severe injuries and property loss. Truck accidents result from any number of factors, including driver distraction, drowsy driving, and sometimes even unethical or negligent practices by the trucking company.

At Metzger Wickersham, our skilled Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys may be able to assist you with your case. With over 135 years of continuous legal service to Pennsylvania residents, our firm's experience speaks for itself. If we represent you, you can rest assured that our team will handle your case with unmatched dedication, compassion, and professionalism every step of the way.

Let us put our experience to work for you. Call (888) 286-2850to begin a free case evaluation. If we take on your case, you won't owe us any legal fees unless we obtain compensation on your behalf.

Why Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer in Pennsylvania?

big-rig collision in Pennsylvania

Truck accident cases are typically marked by many complex issues such as federal regulations and multiple liable parties. A thorough investigation must be done in order to analyze driving records, background checks, hiring practices, driver logs, and truck maintenance to determine the source of negligence.

Metzger Wickersham has handled many complicated truck accident cases over the years, and our knowledgeable Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers hold a track record of achieving successful results for injured clients.

Our top results for truck accident clients include:

  • $1.6 million recovered for the family of a deceased truck driver
  • $950,000 recovered for a truck accident victim
  • $700,000 settlement for a truck accident victim
  • $525,000 recovered for a truck accident victim

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What Are the Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Truck accidents may occur for any number of reasons. The U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a multi-year study which highlights some of the most common causes of trucking accidents in the US.

According to the study, truck driver error was one of the top contributing factors in truck crashes. Examples include:

  • Speeding
  • Driving too fast for conditions
  • Use of prescription and over-the-counter drugs
  • Driver fatigue/falling asleep at the wheel
  • Texting while driving
  • Alcohol or illegal drug use
  • Unfamiliarity with the roadway
  • External distractions
  • Inattention to the road/distracted driving
  • Breaking traffic laws/illegal maneuvers

Vehicle factors (such as improper maintenance, failed brakes or tires, lighting deficiencies, and improperly loaded trailers) also play a significant role in causing two-vehicle truck crashes. Other contributing factors include environmental and weather issues, like slick roadways and poor visibility due to rain, snow, or fog. In some cases, third-party negligence contributes to or causes commercial vehicle accidents. Examples include other drivers on the road acting negligently or unlawfully, as well as vehicle defects and defective truck parts.

Proving Liability in Truck Accident Claims

Truck accidents create a unique set of liability circumstances that require extensive investigation. Often, after a car accident, there is usually just one liable party: the negligent driver that caused the accident. However, the truck driver who hit you is probably not the only party who can be found partially liable for your damages.

In many truck accident cases, the following parties may be partially or wholly liable:

  • The Trucking Company: Just like most employers are liable for the conduct of their employees, trucking companies are often liable for accidents caused by their drivers. In some cases, trucking companies are responsible for accidents because they violated federal or state hours-of-service regulations, or because they failed to conduct proper background checks on new hires. Whatever the case, our truck accident attorneys know how to fully investigate these accidents to determine what factors played a role in the crash.
  • Maintenance Crews: Some truckers depend on independent teams of maintenance crew members to inspect and fix their vehicles at regular intervals. If maintenance crews fail to perform proper routine maintenance and/or repairs, they may be liable for resulting accidents. When these teams are independently contracted, accident victims may be able to file third-party claims or lawsuits against them and seek compensation/supplementary compensation for their damages.
  • Loading Crews: An incorrectly loaded or overloaded truck can cause it to tip, rollover, jackknife, or otherwise become uncontrollable. In some cases, an overloaded truck’s brakes will fail, leading to serious and often-fatal collisions. Load crews sometimes load trucks without the truck driver ever being given a chance to check their work. A crash could be caused in part by a load crew’s mistakes, and when this is the case, these parties could be held independently liable for resulting injuries and damages.

Other parties could also be liable for a truck accident, such as negligent passenger vehicle drivers, manufacturers that create or distribute defective parts or vehicles, and others. Our firm can handle the complex nuances of your case to determine who is liable—and we will fight for the maximum recovery you are owed.

Understanding the Importance of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can result in severe injuries, extensive property damage, and overwhelming medical expenses. It's crucial to seek legal representation from experienced truck accident lawyers who understand the complexities of these cases and can fight for the compensation you deserve. Our team at Metzger Wickersham has a proven track record of successfully representing truck accident victims and holding negligent parties accountable.

Reasons to hire a truck accident lawyer include:

  • Thorough investigation of the accident
  • Knowledge of federal and state trucking regulations
  • Experience dealing with aggressive insurance companies
  • Negotiation for maximum compensation
  • Litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Don't navigate the legal process alone – let our dedicated Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys advocate for your rights and help you recover from this traumatic experience.

Trucking Companies Are Aggressive Adversaries

All motorists are expected to operate their vehicles safely on the road. However, due to the size of 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, commercial drivers have a special duty to operate their rigs with extra care and professionalism. Trucking companies and their drivers are required to carry more insurance coverage and must meet higher safety standards, including many federal regulations that other vehicles do not have to meet.

Trucking companies generally have large resources and large insurance companies backing them up. They will do whatever they can to collect evidence and protect their own interests. That's why it is important to contact a skilled truck accident lawyer in Pennsylvania. Without professional legal representation, it is quite likely that your rights will be undermined and that you will be forced to settle for less than what your accident actually cost you.

Fight For Maximum Compensation with Metzger Wickersham!

Metzger Wickersham truck accident lawyers

Whatever the cause of the accident, negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties need to be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, it is important to seek qualified legal counsel. Turn to the experienced Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys at Metzger Wickersham. If we represent you, we will relentlessly fight to get you fair and just compensation.

With offices in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pottsville, Shippensburg, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Frederick, and York, we can meet with you anywhere in Pennsylvania. We are also available to travel to your home or meet you in the hospital if needed. And, because we offer our services on a contingency fee basis, you owe nothing upfront and pay zero out-of-pocket expenses when you hire our firm. Instead, we only collect attorney fees if/when we win your case.

Contact us online or call us today at (888) 286-2850to schedule your complimentary consultation and case evaluation with a member of our team.

Frequently Asked Truck Accident Questions

Why Are Commercial Trucks So Dangerous?

If you are driving a smaller automobile, your life is at risk if you are in an accident with a large truck, whether it’s a tanker truck, 18-wheeler, delivery van, or any other large commercial vehicle.

Federal trucking regulations allow big rigs to weigh up to 80,000 pounds, whereas the average weight of a small passenger vehicle is just 4,000 pounds; that's approximately 30 times more! Upon collision, the force of the truck will entirely overpower the smaller vehicle, causing immediate devastation.

How Are Truck Accidents Different from Car Accidents?

Truck accidents and car accidents are both examples of motor vehicle collisions that cause thousands of deaths and many more injuries each year. However, the similarities between the two do not extend much further, especially from a legal standpoint. The process of handling a truck accident claim compared to a car accident claim is much different for a variety of reasons.

Some of the issues that make truck accident claims more complex than standard car accident cases include:

To make certain you are handling your claim correctly, start by teaming up with Metzger Wickersham. Our experienced and proven Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers know the ins and outs of both truck accident claims and car accident claims. While you focus on recuperating, let us handle everything else, from gathering important evidence to building your case to negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf.

  • Severity of the crash
  • Catastrophic injuries and deaths
  • Trucking company liability
  • Third-party liability
  • Aggressive trucking company defense
  • High-value claims
  • Extensive economic and non-economic damages

What Are Common Injuries Resulting from Truck Accidents?

One of the major differences between truck accidents and car accidents is the damage typically caused. Car accidents can cause catastrophic injuries, of course, but it is far more likely to see serious injuries as a result of a truck accident due to the sheer size and weight of commercial trucks.

Injuries and consequences commonly seen in truck accident claims include:

Tragically, truck accident injuries are often fatal. When this is the case, surviving family members may be able to seek compensation for their pain, suffering, and other financial and intangible losses by filing a wrongful death claim.

Get in touch with our team at Metzger Wickersham by filling out our online form to learn more, including how our compassionate truck accident attorneys in Pennsylvania can assist you in seeking the justice you and your family deserve.

Success Stories

A History of Happy Clients
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  • "I worked with [Attorney] Zachary Campbell & [Paralegal] Tammy Dagrosa & they were AMAZING! They helped me win my case & handle my medical debt from my accident! Thanks to them, my daughter & I will be ..."
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  • Dedicated Team
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  • Decades of Experience
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