Scranton Truck Accident Attorney

With multiple highways and major thoroughfares running through and alongside it, Scranton is a hotbed for commercial trucking accidents. News stories abound regarding local truck accidents, which are oftentimes fatal.

If you survive an up-close-and-personal encounter with a big rig, you may be left with serious, possibly permanent, injuries. If you want justice, it’s smart to hire a Scranton truck accident attorney to guide you through your claim.

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.

Do You Need a Lackawanna County Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Case?

Because truck accidents are usually quite serious, it’s not wise to go without a personal injury lawyer. Truck accidents are also different from regular car accidents because trucking companies have large teams of aggressive lawyers to defend them. To have any chance of winning your case, you’ll need a tough attorney of your own.

You should hire a Scranton truck accident lawyer if:

• You want the fairest possible compensation. Generally, those who hire an attorney have a better chance of securing compensation than those who represent themselves.
• You suffered serious or permanent injuries that make it difficult or impossible for you to work.
• The trucking company is refusing to hand over the truck’s black box data, which could include information that would help you win your case. Often, it’s necessary for a lawyer to file a protective order to prevent the company from erasing the data.
• You suspect that the trucker who hit you was intoxicated or fatigued due to not following trucking break regulations.

Who Might Be Liable for a Commercial Vehicle Crash?

The trucker who hit you might not be the only party liable for your accident. The trucking company may be vicariously liable for any accidents their employee causes. It may also be responsible if:

• It didn’t perform a background check on the driver
• It didn’t properly train the driver
• It allowed the trucker to drive despite positive drug/alcohol tests
• It refused to allow the driver their legally mandated break

Other parties that might be liable include loading companies, maintenance companies, and the truck manufacturer.

How Long Do You Have To File a Claim in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania gives you two years to file a personal injury claim after a truck accident, which isn’t as long as it sounds. A Scranton truck accident lawyer will need plenty of time to build a strong case, so contact one as soon as possible after the crash.

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 Accident Attorney 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 attorney to analyze your case and build a sound legal defense.

Contact a Scranton Truck Accident Attorney for Legal Representation

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you don’t have to deal with the aftermath alone. Our attorneys at Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. are standing by to help you. Call us at 570-346-2600 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Scranton truck accident lawyer.

Truck Accident FAQs

Learn more about Scranton truck accidents before calling us for legal services.

How Long Does a Truck Accident Claim Take To Settle?

Truck accident claims can take one to two years to settle. However, depending on your specific case, your claim may take less or more time to settle.

Are There Damage Caps in PA?

There are damage caps in Pennsylvania, but they only apply if you’re suing the government. For a claim against a local municipality, the cap is $500,000. If the claim is against the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the cap is $250,000.

Can I Sue for Emotional Distress for a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania allows you to sue for emotional distress if the accident caused severe injuries and/or mental suffering. A Scranton truck accident lawyer can tell you if you may be able to recover emotional distress damages.