When Trucks and Lives Collide: Understanding Your Legal Options
An
Attorney for truck accidents offers vital protection when your life has been upended by a commercial truck crash. These aren’t just bigger car accidents – they’re entirely different events with unique challenges and considerations.
After a truck accident, time is truly of the essence. Evidence crucial to your case – like driver logs, maintenance records, and even physical evidence at the scene – can disappear quickly. Trucking companies often deploy rapid response teams to accident sites specifically to minimize their liability.
“The playing field isn’t level after a truck accident,” explains one of our experienced attorneys. “While you’re focused on medical treatment and recovery, insurance companies are already building their defense. Having someone in your corner from day one makes all the difference.”
What makes these cases so challenging is the web of potentially liable parties. Beyond the driver, responsibility may extend to the trucking company, maintenance contractors, parts manufacturers, or cargo loaders. Each party typically carries separate insurance policies, creating a complex compensation landscape.
The severity of truck accidents also typically leads to higher compensation amounts. When an 80,000-pound commercial vehicle collides with a 5,000-pound passenger car, the physics are unforgiving. Catastrophic injuries are common, resulting in substantial medical expenses, longer recovery periods, and often permanent life changes.
Understanding federal regulations is another critical factor. Commercial trucking operates under strict Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules covering everything from driver rest periods to vehicle maintenance standards. Knowing how these regulations apply to your case can dramatically affect the outcome.
At Metzger Wickersham, we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis – meaning you pay nothing unless we secure compensation for you. This arrangement ensures everyone has access to quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
The human toll of truck accidents is staggering. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows over 5,000 fatalities annually in large truck crashes, with most victims being occupants of smaller vehicles. For survivors, the aftermath often includes overwhelming medical bills, lost income, and profound physical and emotional suffering.
We understand that the days and weeks following a truck accident are confusing and stressful. You’re dealing with injuries, vehicle replacement, insurance calls, and possibly loss of income – all while trying to recover. Having dedicated legal support during this challenging time allows you to focus on what matters most: your health and family.
Our team at Metzger Wickersham has been advocating for injured Pennsylvanians for over 135 years. We’re available 24/7 to answer your questions and guide you through this difficult process with compassion and clarity.
Know your
Attorney for truck accidents terms:
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Truck accident legal help
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truck accident lawyer harrisburg
Truck Accidents 101: What Makes Them Different
When it comes to vehicle accidents, commercial truck crashes are in a league of their own. By federal definition, commercial trucks include any vehicle weighing 10,001 pounds or more used for business purposes. This covers everything from massive 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers to tanker trucks, delivery vehicles, and dump trucks.
Unlike your typical fender-bender, truck accidents involve a web of regulations. Commercial trucks must follow both state rules and federal regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These cover driver qualifications, training requirements, maintenance schedules, hours on the road, and how cargo should be secured.
“When a car collides with a truck, it’s frequently the people in the car who are killed or injured,” as one transportation safety advocate puts it. The numbers tell the grim story—nearly 70% of people who die in truck accidents are in the passenger vehicles, not the trucks themselves.
| Comparison Factor |
Commercial Trucks |
Passenger Vehicles |
| Weight |
Up to 80,000 lbs |
Typically 3,000-5,000 lbs |
| Stopping Distance |
250-400 feet at highway speeds |
120-140 feet at highway speeds |
| Insurance Requirements |
$750,000 to $5,000,000 minimum |
Typically $15,000-$50,000 minimum |
| Regulatory Oversight |
FMCSA, DOT, state agencies |
State DMV only |
| Driver Requirements |
Commercial license, medical card, ongoing testing |
Standard license |
| Data Recording |
Electronic logging devices, black box |
Limited or none |
| Potential Liable Parties |
Multiple (driver, carrier, shipper, etc.) |
Typically just the driver/owner |
Most Common Types of Truck Accidents
Understanding how truck accidents happen can help you make sense of your situation if you’ve been involved in one.
Jackknife Accidents occur when a truck’s trailer swings out to form a 90-degree angle with the cab—like a folding pocket knife. These often happen during sudden braking or on slippery roads. The swinging trailer can cut across multiple lanes, creating a wide path of destruction.
Underride Accidents are particularly horrific crashes where a smaller vehicle slides underneath the truck’s trailer. Despite federal requirements for guards to prevent this, these accidents often result in devastating injuries as the top of the passenger vehicle may be sheared off.
Rollover Accidents happen because trucks have a high center of gravity. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can tip over during sharp turns or sudden swerves, especially if the driver is going too fast for conditions.
Blind Spot Accidents occur because commercial trucks have substantial blind zones on all four sides—areas where drivers simply cannot see other vehicles. When cars linger in these “no zones,” the truck driver might change lanes or turn without realizing someone is there.
Tire Blowout Accidents can be doubly dangerous. Not only might the truck driver lose control, but the tire debris itself can become a dangerous projectile on the highway, threatening other motorists.
Why Commercial Trucks Are More Dangerous
The danger of commercial trucks comes down to simple physics and practical realities:
Massive Size Disparity means the deck is stacked against smaller vehicles from the start. A fully loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds—that’s 16 times heavier than your family car. In a collision, this weight difference can be deadly for the occupants of the lighter vehicle.
Extended Stopping Distance creates serious safety challenges. Large trucks need 20-40% more distance to stop than passenger cars. At highway speeds, a loaded tractor-trailer requires 250 to 400 feet to come to a complete stop—nearly the length of a football field. This makes sudden stops nearly impossible.
High Center of Gravity makes trucks less stable than cars. Their tall profile increases the risk of rollovers, especially in high winds or during emergency maneuvers when a driver might need to swerve suddenly.
Cargo Hazards add another layer of risk. Cargo that shifts during transport can cause drivers to lose control. And when trucks carry hazardous materials, an accident can have even more serious consequences if those materials spill.
A concerning Harvard study found that while about 25% of all drivers admit to having fallen asleep at the wheel at some point, an alarming 50% of professional truck drivers reported the same issue. This highlights the unique fatigue risks in the trucking industry that make these massive vehicles even more dangerous on our roads.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, an
Attorney for truck accidents can help you steer the complex legal landscape these cases present. At Metzger Wickersham, we understand the devastating impact these crashes can have on Pennsylvania families.
Causes, Liability & Key Evidence
Truck accidents rarely have a simple explanation. Most crashes result from a perfect storm of factors that create dangerous conditions on the road. Understanding these causes doesn’t just satisfy curiosity—it builds the foundation for establishing who’s responsible and securing the compensation you deserve.
Driver Fatigue remains one of the most troubling causes of truck accidents. Despite federal regulations limiting driving to 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty, fatigue contributes to nearly 6,000 truck crashes every year. As one driver candidly shared, “Those last two hours of a long haul feel like driving underwater—everything slows down, including your reactions.”
Hours-of-Service Violations continue despite regulatory efforts. While electronic logging devices (ELDs) have made old-school logbook tampering more difficult, some companies still find ways to pressure drivers into exceeding legal limits. The pressure to meet tight delivery windows can lead to dangerous decisions that put everyone on the road at risk.
Improper Loading transforms an already massive vehicle into an unpredictable hazard. When cargo shifts during transit or a truck exceeds weight limits, it affects everything from braking ability to how the truck handles on curves. Unsecured loads can also become deadly projectiles during a collision.
Equipment Failure often reveals a pattern of neglect. FMCSA data paints a concerning picture—55% of trucks involved in accidents had at least one mechanical violation, and a startling 30% had problems serious enough to warrant immediate removal from service. Those failed brake lines or worn tires didn’t deteriorate overnight.
Weather Conditions affect all vehicles but pose special challenges for commercial trucks. High winds can push tall trailers like sails, while rain and snow dramatically increase stopping distances for vehicles that already need a football field’s length to stop.
“Finding the specific cause of a truck accident is like solving a puzzle where the pieces keep changing shape,” explains a transportation safety expert. “But those pieces determine who’s legally responsible—which is why preserving evidence immediately is absolutely critical.”
Who Can Be Held Liable
Truck accident cases rarely point to just one responsible party. Your
Attorney for truck accidents will likely investigate several potential defendants:
The
Truck Driver may bear responsibility for choices made behind the wheel—speeding, texting, driving while fatigued, or operating under the influence. Their personal decisions directly impact everyone sharing the road.
The
Trucking Company often bears responsibility under “vicarious liability” for their employees’ actions. They may also face direct negligence claims for poor hiring practices, inadequate training, or creating a culture where safety takes a backseat to delivery schedules.
Maintenance Contractors who cut corners on brake jobs or tire replacements may share blame when those systems fail at critical moments. These third-party companies often handle routine maintenance for entire fleets.
Parts Manufacturers enter the liability picture when defective components contribute to accidents. From failed coupling systems to defective steering mechanisms, product liability laws hold manufacturers accountable when their parts don’t perform as designed.
Cargo Loaders play a critical but often overlooked role in truck safety. When loads shift or fall during transit because they weren’t properly secured, the companies responsible for loading can find themselves named in lawsuits.
Brokers and Shippers sometimes share liability when they knowingly hire carriers with poor safety records or impose delivery deadlines that can’t reasonably be met without breaking speed limits or hours-of-service rules.
One client’s experience highlights this complexity: “I assumed I’d just be dealing with the truck driver’s insurance. I had no idea my case would involve three separate companies and insurance policies. Thank goodness my attorney knew where to look.”
Critical Evidence to Collect Immediately
The golden hours after a truck accident contain evidence that may vanish forever if not preserved:
Photographs and Video tell the unvarnished truth about road conditions, vehicle positions, and damage patterns. Take wide shots of the entire scene and close-ups of key details like skid marks, vehicle damage, and road signs.
Witness Contact Information provides independent verification of what happened. Bystanders often notice critical details that accident victims miss during the chaos. Get their names, phone numbers, and brief statements before they disappear.
Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Data reveals the truth about a driver’s hours and rest periods. This federally mandated technology creates an electronic record that’s harder to manipulate than old paper logs.
Black Box Data captures crucial information about a truck’s operation in the moments before a crash—speed, braking patterns, steering inputs, and even whether the driver was wearing a seatbelt.
Truck Driver’s Qualifications may reveal concerning patterns. A driver’s CDL status, training history, medical certification, and previous violations can establish whether they should have been behind the wheel in the first place.
Inspection and Maintenance Records often contain smoking guns—deferred maintenance, known issues, or patterns of neglect that contributed to mechanical failures.
Cargo Records like bills of lading and weight tickets can reveal whether a truck was dangerously overloaded or carrying hazardous materials without proper precautions.
Drug and Alcohol Testing Results become critical evidence, as commercial drivers are required to undergo testing after serious accidents.
Company Policies and Procedures sometimes reveal a corporate culture that prioritizes profits over safety, encouraging drivers to bend rules to meet impossible schedules.
A skilled
Attorney for truck accidents will immediately send a “spoliation letter” demanding the preservation of all this evidence before it can be conveniently “lost” or destroyed.
What To Do Right After a Truck Accident
The actions you take in the minutes and hours after a truck collision can profoundly impact both your health and legal rights:
- Call 911 immediately. Even seemingly minor truck accidents require official documentation and often medical attention. Police reports become crucial evidence later.
- Move to safety if possible. Secondary collisions can be just as dangerous as the initial impact. If your vehicle is drivable, carefully move to the shoulder or another safe location.
- Document everything. Your smartphone is a powerful evidence-gathering tool. Capture images of all vehicles, the surrounding area, weather conditions, and any visible injuries before the scene changes.
- Exchange complete information. Beyond the basics, make note of the truck’s USDOT number (displayed on the door), the driver’s employer, and insurance details. This information helps track down the responsible parties later.
- Seek medical attention even if you feel “fine.” Adrenaline often masks serious injuries, and some conditions like internal bleeding or traumatic brain injuries develop hours or days after impact. Medical records create an official timeline connecting your injuries to the crash.
- Notify your insurance company with just the facts. Stick to the basics—date, time, location, and vehicles involved. Avoid detailed statements about fault or your condition until you’ve consulted an attorney.
- Decline to give statements to the trucking company’s insurance representatives. They may seem friendly and concerned, but their job is to minimize the company’s financial exposure—not to help you.
- Contact an Attorney for truck accidents as soon as possible. The trucking company will have investigators on scene within hours. You deserve equally vigorous representation protecting your interests.
A truck accident survivor puts it plainly: “I thought I was being paranoid taking 50+ photos at the scene. My attorney later told me those pictures were worth their weight in gold when the trucking company tried claiming the road conditions were different than they actually were.”
For more information about hours-of-service regulations that affect truck drivers, visit the
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s summary of current rules. And for the latest statistical data on truck accidents, the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers comprehensive reports.
Your Health & Compensation Rights
When a commercial truck collides with a passenger vehicle, the aftermath often leaves victims facing life-altering injuries. The sheer force and weight difference in these crashes frequently leads to devastating consequences that go far beyond what you’d typically see in a car accident.
Truck accidents commonly cause
traumatic brain injuries ranging from “mild” concussions to severe damage requiring lifelong care.
Spinal cord injuries can result in partial or complete paralysis, forever changing how someone moves through the world. The intense impact often leads to
multiple complex fractures that might require several surgeries and months of painful recovery.
Internal injuries might not be immediately visible but can threaten your life in the hours and days following a crash. If fuel or hazardous materials are involved,
severe burns can cause excruciating pain and permanent scarring. And we can’t overlook the invisible wounds – the
post-traumatic stress disorder that leaves many victims struggling with nightmares, anxiety, and fear of driving long after their physical injuries have healed.
“A vehicle that weighs thousands of pounds barreling toward you can leave you with lasting physical and mental scars,” shared one truck accident survivor we represented. “The compensation I received couldn’t erase what happened, but it ensured I could access the care I needed without financial ruin.”
When it comes to compensation, truck accident cases typically involve three main categories of damages:
Economic damages cover the concrete financial losses you’ve suffered. This includes your emergency room visit and hospital stay, but also extends to future medical needs like physical therapy, follow-up surgeries, and medication. If you’ve missed work or can no longer perform your job, compensation for lost wages and diminished earning capacity is critical. Property damage, rehabilitation costs, necessary home modifications, and in-home care are all recoverable expenses.
Non-economic damages address the human toll of your accident – the aspects of suffering that don’t come with receipts or invoices. Your pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of life enjoyment matter. The strain on your relationships (legally called “loss of consortium”) and any disfigurement or scarring you’ve endured deserve recognition in your settlement.
In cases where a trucking company showed extreme negligence – like knowingly putting a dangerous driver on the road or falsifying maintenance records –
punitive damages may be awarded. These aren’t just about compensating you; they’re designed to punish truly reckless behavior and deter similar conduct in the future.
For families who’ve lost loved ones in truck accidents, wrongful death claims can provide compensation for funeral expenses, the lost financial support, the absence of companionship, and the suffering their loved one endured before passing.
How Comparative Negligence Impacts Recovery
Pennsylvania uses what’s called “modified comparative negligence” when determining compensation in accident cases. This legal principle can significantly affect your recovery, especially when insurance companies try to shift blame.
Under this rule, if you’re found partially responsible for causing the accident, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if your case is worth $100,000 but evidence suggests you were 20% at fault (perhaps for speeding slightly), you would receive $80,000.
Pennsylvania applies the “51% rule,” meaning you can recover damages as long as you’re 50% or less responsible for the accident. If you’re found to be 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any compensation at all.
This is precisely why having an
Attorney for truck accidents is so crucial. Trucking companies and their insurers often deploy sophisticated strategies to shift blame onto victims, hoping to reduce their financial liability or eliminate it entirely. Your attorney will work to protect you from unfair blame and ensure your compensation reflects the true responsibility of all parties.
Statute of Limitations & Regulatory Deadlines
Time is genuinely of the essence after a truck accident. In Pennsylvania, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline – called the statute of limitations – is strict, and missing it typically means losing your right to seek compensation through the courts forever.
However, several exceptions and complications can affect this timeline:
If your accident involved a government-owned vehicle (like a municipal waste truck), you may have as little as six months to file a notice of claim. For injured minors, the two-year clock may not start ticking until their 18th birthday. In some situations, the “findy rule” applies – meaning the two-year period begins when you finded (or reasonably should have finded) your injury, rather than on the accident date itself.
Beyond these legal filing deadlines, truck accident cases involve other crucial time considerations. Trucking companies are only required to keep certain records for limited periods under federal regulations. Driver logs might be legally destroyed after just six months unless your attorney sends a formal preservation letter. Many insurance policies also require notification within days of an accident.
One client told us: “I had no idea how quickly I needed to act. Having an attorney handle the timelines and paperwork while I focused on recovery was invaluable.”
At Metzger Wickersham, we help clients steer these complex deadlines to ensure their rights remain protected while they focus on what matters most – healing and rebuilding their lives.
Why You Need an Attorney for Truck Accidents
The days following a truck accident can feel like navigating through a fog. While you’re focused on healing physically and emotionally, the legal maze grows more complex by the day. This is when an
attorney for truck accidents becomes your most valuable ally.
Commercial truck crashes aren’t just bigger car accidents—they’re fundamentally different legal situations. Most trucks on the road are covered by multiple insurance policies. The tractor might have one policy, the trailer another, and sometimes the cargo has its own coverage. Identifying all these policies and understanding how they interact takes specialized knowledge that most accident victims simply don’t have.
“I had no idea there were four different insurance companies involved in my case,” shares one truck accident survivor. “My attorney found coverage I didn’t even know existed.”
When a serious truck crash occurs, trucking companies immediately activate their response teams. These teams often arrive at accident scenes before the vehicles are even towed away. Their goal? Protect the company’s interests—not yours. Having your own dedicated legal representation levels what would otherwise be a very uneven playing field.
Evidence in truck accident cases can disappear with alarming speed. Logbooks get “updated,” maintenance records mysteriously change, and electronic data gets overwritten. An
attorney for truck accidents knows exactly what evidence matters and can quickly send spoliation letters demanding that critical information be preserved.
Calculating fair compensation isn’t as simple as adding up your current medical bills. What about future surgeries? Lost earning potential? Home modifications? The full value of your claim often includes damages you might not have considered. Attorneys work with medical and financial experts to ensure nothing is overlooked.
Truck accident litigation can be expensive. From accident reconstruction specialists to medical experts, building a strong case requires resources. At Metzger Wickersham, we advance these costs for our clients. You pay nothing upfront—we only get paid if you win your case. This contingency fee arrangement ensures our interests and yours are perfectly aligned.
“Trucking companies and their insurers will fight hard to minimize payouts,” notes a transportation safety advocate. “Having someone who knows their tactics makes all the difference.”
How Attorneys for Truck Accidents Build a Case
Building a winning truck accident case is like piecing together a complex puzzle. While police reports provide a starting point, they often miss crucial details in complicated truck crashes.
The investigation begins immediately. Your attorney will conduct an independent examination of the accident, sometimes employing accident reconstruction experts who can determine exactly what happened in those critical seconds. They’ll analyze skid marks, vehicle damage patterns, and road conditions to create a clear picture of the crash dynamics.
Evidence preservation is perhaps the most time-sensitive aspect of your case. Your attorney will secure the truck’s black box data (which records speed, braking patterns, and other crucial information), driver logs, maintenance records, and company safety policies before they can be altered or destroyed.
Through careful investigation, your legal team will identify every entity that may share responsibility for your accident. This might include the driver, trucking company, maintenance contractors, cargo loaders, or even parts manufacturers. Each of these parties may have separate insurance coverage that could contribute to your compensation.
Medical experts play a vital role in documenting the full extent of your injuries and future care needs. Meanwhile, trucking industry experts can testify about regulatory violations that may have contributed to your accident.
“The investigation my attorney conducted uncovered violations in the driver’s logbook that even the police missed,” shared one Metzger Wickersham client. “This evidence was crucial to my case.”
Your attorney will prepare a comprehensive demand package outlining all damages and liability evidence. This document serves as the foundation for settlement negotiations. While most cases settle before trial, obtaining fair compensation requires skilled negotiation backed by thorough preparation and a willingness to go to court if necessary.
If a fair settlement cannot be reached, your attorney will prepare your case for trial. This involves extensive preparation, including depositions, pretrial motions, and witness preparation. Having an attorney with trial experience often results in better settlement offers, as insurance companies know you’re prepared to go the distance.
Choosing the Right Attorney for Truck Accidents
Finding the right legal representation after a truck accident can feel overwhelming. Not all personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and resources to handle these complex cases effectively. Here’s what to look for:
Specific truck accident experience matters tremendously. During your initial consultation, ask about the attorney’s history with similar cases and their understanding of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations. Commercial trucking operates under complex federal and state rules that don’t apply to regular auto accidents.
A strong
track record of results in truck accident cases indicates capability. While past outcomes don’t guarantee future results, they do show that an attorney knows how to steer these challenging cases.
Ask about the firm’s
resources for investigation. Do they have relationships with qualified accident reconstruction experts, medical consultants, and trucking industry specialists? These connections can make a significant difference in building your case.
Trial experience is crucial, even if your case ultimately settles. Insurance companies keep detailed records of which attorneys actually take cases to court versus those who always settle. Having an attorney known for trying cases often results in better settlement offers.
Consider how the firm handles
client access and communication. Will you work directly with an attorney, or be passed to paralegals? How frequently will you receive updates? Clear communication can make the legal process much less stressful.
Truck accident litigation requires substantial
financial capacity. Ensure the firm has the resources to fully develop your case without cutting corners due to budget constraints.
Finally, listen to what
former clients say about their experience with the firm. Their accounts can tell you a lot about what to expect.
At Metzger Wickersham, our team approach ensures that every truck accident case receives comprehensive attention. With over 135 years of experience representing injured Pennsylvanians, we understand both the complexities of these cases and their profound impact on victims’ lives.
Typical Lawsuit & Insurance Claim Timeline
Understanding the timeline of a truck accident case helps set realistic expectations for the journey ahead:
The
immediate aftermath (first week) involves beginning medical treatment, gathering initial evidence, and retaining an attorney. This period is critical for preserving evidence that might otherwise disappear.
During the
investigation phase (first 1-3 months), your attorney investigates the accident, gathers evidence, and identifies liable parties while you focus on medical treatment. This thorough groundwork sets the stage for everything that follows.
The
demand and negotiation phase (months 3-9) begins once your medical condition stabilizes enough to understand your long-term prognosis. Your attorney prepares a detailed demand package and begins settlement negotiations with the insurance companies.
If a fair settlement isn’t reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit, typically before the two-year statute of limitations expires. This moves your case into the
litigation phase.
The
findy phase (6-12 months) involves both sides exchanging information through written questions, document requests, and depositions. This formal evidence-gathering process often reveals new details about the accident.
Many cases go through
mediation, where a neutral third party helps facilitate settlement discussions. This optional step can lead to resolution without the need for trial.
If the case doesn’t settle, it proceeds to
trial preparation and trial, which can last days or weeks depending on the complexity of your case.
After a verdict, either side may file appeals, which can extend the process further. The entire timeline typically spans 1-3 years, though complex cases may take longer.
“Understanding that the legal process takes time helped me manage my expectations,” noted one client. “My attorney kept me informed at every step, which made the waiting easier.”
At Metzger Wickersham, we guide clients through each phase of this process, providing clarity and support when it’s needed most. While we can’t speed up the legal system, we can ensure your case moves forward efficiently without sacrificing the attention to detail that leads to favorable outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions about Truck Accident Claims
Can I recover damages if I’m partly at fault?
The moments after a truck accident are often filled with uncertainty. One question we hear frequently is about shared responsibility. The good news is that Pennsylvania law doesn’t prevent you from seeking compensation even if you played a small role in causing the accident.
Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule, you can still recover damages as long as you’re found to be 50% or less responsible for what happened. Your compensation will be adjusted based on your level of fault—if you’re awarded $100,000 but determined to be 20% responsible, you’ll receive $80,000.
This is precisely why having an
Attorney for truck accidents makes such a difference. Your lawyer will work diligently to minimize your assigned percentage of fault and protect your right to fair compensation. As one client told us, “I was worried the trucking company would blame me entirely, but my attorney gathered evidence that showed I was only minimally at fault.”
How much does it cost to hire a truck accident lawyer?
Money worries shouldn’t prevent you from getting the legal help you need after a truck accident. At Metzger Wickersham, we understand you’re already facing mounting medical bills and possibly lost wages.
That’s why we handle truck accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront—no retainer fees, no hourly billing, nothing out of pocket. We advance all the costs of building your case, including investigation expenses, expert witness fees, and court filing costs.
You only pay us if we win your case, and then our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict—typically one-third. This arrangement aligns our interests perfectly with yours: we only succeed when you do.
“I couldn’t believe how simple it was,” one client shared. “I was worried about affording an attorney while out of work from my injuries, but after one phone call, I had a team working for me with no money down.”
What settlement amounts are common in serious truck crashes?
Truck accident settlements vary widely because each case has its own unique factors. While it’s natural to wonder about potential compensation, several key elements influence the final amount:
Injury severity and permanence often has the greatest impact, with catastrophic injuries resulting in higher settlements.
Medical expenses—both current and future—form a substantial portion of many settlements. Your
lost wages and future earning ability also factor heavily into the equation.
The
strength of evidence against the trucking company, along with
available insurance coverage and even the
county where your case would be tried can all affect settlement values.
While minor injury cases might resolve for tens of thousands of dollars, catastrophic injury or wrongful death cases frequently result in settlements reaching millions. For perspective, we’ve secured recoveries like $7,000,000 for a client with severe brain injuries after hitting an improperly marked truck, $5,000,000 for a spinal cord injury victim, and $2,750,000 for a family in a wrongful death claim.
Every case is different, and past results can’t guarantee future outcomes. An
Attorney for truck accidents can evaluate your specific situation and provide a more realistic assessment of potential compensation. The most important thing is getting proper representation to ensure you don’t settle for less than your case is worth.
Conclusion
When a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle collide, lives change in an instant. The road to recovery isn’t just about healing physical wounds—it’s about navigating a complex legal landscape while facing powerful trucking companies and their insurers.
Throughout this guide, we’ve shared why truck accidents stand apart from ordinary crashes. The crushing weight disparity, complex federal regulations, and multiple potentially liable parties create a legal puzzle that requires specialized knowledge to solve.
At Metzger Wickersham, our 135-year legacy of advocating for injured Pennsylvanians gives us a unique perspective on these challenging cases. We’ve witnessed how truck accidents devastate families, and we’re committed to standing beside you every step of the way.
“After my accident, I felt completely overwhelmed until I called Metzger Wickersham,” shares Maria, a former client. “They handled the insurance companies and legal details while I focused on what mattered most—my recovery.”
Our team approach means you’ll never face this challenge alone. From our initial investigation to the final resolution of your case, we assign multiple professionals to ensure every detail receives proper attention. This collaborative strategy has proven effective time and again in securing the compensation our clients deserve.
Time matters critically in truck accident cases. Evidence can disappear quickly, witnesses’ memories fade, and trucking companies immediately deploy teams to protect their interests. That’s why we’re available 24/7 to respond when you need us most.
With offices throughout Pennsylvania—including Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pottsville, Shippensburg, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, York, and Frederick, MD—we’ve made quality legal representation accessible to victims throughout the region.
Consultations are always free, and we work on a contingency basis—meaning you pay nothing unless we win your case. This arrangement ensures our interests are perfectly aligned with yours: securing the maximum compensation possible for your injuries.
The aftermath of a truck accident may feel overwhelming now, but you don’t have to walk this path alone. Our dedicated
Attorney for truck accidents team is ready to help you rebuild your life and secure the resources you need for recovery.
Learn more about our truck accident representation
