Scranton Truck Accident Lawyer | Scartelli Olszewski, P.C.
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scranton truck accident

Any Scranton truck crash lawyer would agree that there’s no such thing as a ‘good’ vehicle accident, only those that could have been worse. One type of accident that is almost guaranteed to bring disaster on the road is a trucking accident. We’re not talking about pickup trucks and SUVs. The legal definition of a truck is a motor vehicle designed to transport property. These 6-wheelers come with large cargo crates that they pull behind them.

Due to the large size and weight of these vehicles, they can do catastrophic damage to almost anything they collide with. And due to this, truck drivers and the companies that hire them have a responsibility to ensure the trucks and their drivers are safe on the road. Sadly, this isn’t always the case, sometimes due to the fault of the truck driver, their employer, or someone else on the road.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a trucking accident, contact the injury attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. Our Scranton truck crash attorneys will work with you to understand who owes you compensation and ensure they are held responsible.

Why are Trucking Crashes so Dangerous?

The average medium-duty commercial truck can weigh anywhere from 19,500 to 26,000 pounds. To put this into perspective, the average compact car weighs anywhere from 2,600 to 3,000 pounds. This means a truck can travel significantly slower than your average car and still hit an object with significantly more force. When it’s a car or person the truck hits, that can commonly mean the end of someone’s life.

This isn’t even taking into consideration the cargo that these trucks carry behind them. Depending on what they’re carrying, a minor collision with another vehicle can lead to a major collision or traffic pileup as well.

If the cargo is released onto the road, that can lead to whoever is driving behind the truck getting into a devastating car crash. Even if the cargo only swerves into a parallel lane, that can knock someone else off the road or worse. Then there’s the delay as the emergency authorities may have to work together to remove this large vehicle from the road. When a commercial truck gets into an accident, the risk of another incident increases and continues to do so until it’s removed from the road.

What are Some Common Causes of Truck Accidents?

Trucking accidents can happen due to several different factors much like any other automobile accident. Because trucks are almost always driven in a commercial capacity, there are added or more common risks when driving one that aren’t apparent when driving a compact car. Some of these risks are due to the massive size of commercial trucks and their cargo. These include:

  • When other cars fail to stay a proper distance away from a truck. When you don’t drive a truck, you may not realize how much time it takes for a truck to come to a complete stop. You may hit the brakes too hard when a truck is behind you and they can’t stop.
  • When truck drivers are driving while fatigued. Many truck drivers have to take long trips across the state, and sometimes across the country, which can lead to fatigue. They have to meet deadlines and deliveries, making their job incredibly dangerous.
  • When truck drivers speed and drive recklessly. When truck driver drives recklessly, their reach is far greater than the average car, putting even more people at risk of injury. Even being a little reckless can have dire consequences.
  • When companies and driving schools fail to properly train drivers. Truck drivers need to obtain a special license to operate a vehicle, but these schools commonly partner with a company that can affect whether or not a driver gets their license.
  • When truckers drive under the influence. Because truck drivers hold commercial driver’s licenses, the standards of intoxication are considerably stricter for them. Drunk truckers should never get behind the wheel, yet they do, leading to accidents on the road every day.
  • When truckers drive distracted. Truck drivers are just as vulnerable as anyone else to the problem of distracted driving. This includes behaviors like texting and talking on the phone. While listening to music can help ease the boredom of long journeys, it can also constitute as distracted driving.
  • When truckers and warehouse crews don’t load their cargo the right way. Poor cargo loading can cause some loads to fall on the roads at high speeds, hitting whatever is in their path. After the cargo has collided with cars behind the truck, the truck is then left unbalanced. This can then cause it to tip over.
  • When truckers don’t maintain their vehicles. Several trucking crashes can be attributed to improper vehicle maintenance. Worn ties, for example, have been directly linked to several catastrophic blowouts. The driver is usually responsible for maintaining the truck, but in some cases, another employee may be at fault. Our Scranton truck crash lawyer should be able to identify the responsible party and hold them accountable for damages.

What Kind of Trucking Accidents Are There?

Similar to car accidents, trucking accidents come in many different forms. When the vehicle involved is a commercial truck, the consequences are direr. Our Scranton truck crash lawyers have handled hundreds of crashes, including:

  • Rear-End Collisions
  • Intersection Collisions
  • Drunk Driving Crashes
  • Pedestrian Accidents
  • Driver and Passenger Injuries
  • Motorcycle Crashes

If you have been in a truck crash and are seeking justice, talk to a Scranton truck crash attorney from Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. We have the experience needed to understand your case and seek compensation.

What Should You Do If You Suffer Truck Crashes Injuries?

Injuries resulting from truck crashes can be severe and can include:

  • Traumatic head or brain injuries
  • Loss of limbs and amputations
  • Whiplash
  • Broken and dislocated bones
  • Severe neck and back injuries
  • Spinal cord damage that can lead to paralysis

Some of these truck crash injuries may affect you for the rest of your life. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation for all your medical bills. That’s not all. A seasoned Scranton truck crash lawyer will help you seek a settlement that covers:

  • Expenses for emergency room visits, assistive devices, surgical costs, ongoing care, and rehabilitation.
  • Lost wages due to a new inability to work.
  • Non-economic losses, such as pain, suffering, and mental anguish. Mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and PTSD following your accident are just as serious as physical injuries.

It’s up to you and your attorney to decide how much you’ll seek as part of your damages. A Scranton truck accident lawyer will know what to keep track of, so you can focus on recovering and finding your feet once again. Talk to our Scranton attorneys for more information today.

How Can a Scranton Truck Crash Lawyer Help Me with My Case?

If you have been involved in a trucking accident, you may be wondering if you have enough grounds to sue the perpetrator. Oftentimes, the answer is yes. But you’ll still want an experienced truck crash lawyer in Scranton, PA to look into your situation and develop a legal strategy to recover all your damages.

For the most part, a lawyer will work with you to determine liability. If a truck driver loses control of their vehicle, they put everyone around them at risk– primarily due to the immense size and weight of the vehicle. Generally, it’s just the driver who’s at fault, but severe trucking accidents might involve multiple liable parties–usually the trucking company.

It’s important to remember that trucking companies will typically have teams of lawyers prepared to fight any lawsuit you may file. The best way to protect yourself is to hire an experienced truck accident lawyer in Scranton, PA.

Trucking accidents can turn your life upside down. Trust a Scranton attorney to turn the tables in your favor and get you the justice you deserve.

What Should You Do After a Truck Accident?

If you’re in a truck accident, the first thing you need to do is make sure you and your passengers are safe. Then seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine, sometimes you don’t know what’s wrong until it’s too late. Once you’ve been seen by a doctor, contact a truck crash attorney in Scranton, PA. You shouldn’t have to pay the medical bills and car repairs for a truck crash that wasn’t your fault.

Crashes involving trucks are complex, and each case requires special attention. You will need a Scranton truck accident lawyer to analyze your case and build a sound legal defense.

We provide sound counseling and representation to trucking crash victims and their loved ones. We understand the medical and financial hardships that can result from these crashes. When it comes to these complex cases, experience matters. Our Scranton truck accident lawyers apply complex scientific and engineering principles that come into play in demonstrating how a crash occurred, and who was at fault. Contact us today for help. We’ll work to get you the compensation you deserve.