Commercial vehicles are a common sight on Pennsylvania highways, and large trucks like tractor-trailers and other big rigs deliver about 70 percent of the nation’s goods. However, if a careless truck driver fails to follow the rules of the road and collides with a smaller passenger vehicle, motorists and their passengers can sustain catastrophic injuries.
If a reckless or negligent truck driver has injured you or killed a close family member in a trucking accident in State College, a State College truck accident lawyer may be able to help you recover the monetary damages you need.
A dedicated personal injury attorney from Marcus & Mack can review your case at no cost and advise you of your rights and options. You can rely on us to fight hard to increase your chances of a successful recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation.
We founded Marcus & Mack in 1977 with a mission to deliver unmatched representation to injured clients throughout State College and the rest of Pennsylvania. During that time, we have gained a reputation for excellence and obtaining substantial case results for our clients, including several awards exceeding a million dollars for truck accident claims.
Although we can’t guarantee an outcome for your case, we can promise to do all we can to maximize your financial recovery.
Our lawyers have a common passion for helping people during some of the most difficult times in their lives, and our compassion and caring have become the cornerstones of our practice.
Committed to providing exceptional client service and effective legal representation to anyone in need, our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t have to pay us an upfront retainer to handle your case. We only accept attorney fees if we win your case.
Discover how the legal team at Marcus & Mack can help with your State College truck accident claim by calling us at (814) 942-9443 or completing our online contact form to request a free case evaluation.
An exhausted or fatigued driver is the most common cause of commercial trucks crashing into other vehicles. Commercial trucking lines often pay their drivers a certain amount per mile, which encourages drivers to make many deliveries as quickly as they can.
Pennsylvania law governs the actions of truck drivers who carry property to locations within the state, and federal law regulates drivers who make interstate runs.
Drivers are limited on how many hours they can operate a truck. In some cases, a driver will drive longer than the law allows and fail to enter the actual hours into the logbook or skip rest breaks to make additional money.
Along with truck driver fatigue, other common causes of truck wrecks include:
The federal and state laws are complicated, and a State College truck crash attorney could help make sense of them. Knowing the cause of the accident could also help a skilled lawyer determine who is responsible.
Determining liability for a truck collision involves examining various factors to identify the party or parties responsible for the accident. Liability can be attributed to different entities depending on the circumstances of the collision.
Potential liable parties in a truck collision may include:
Determining liability in truck collisions can be complex since it often involves multiple parties. Investigations into the causes of the accident, including driver actions, vehicle conditions, and external factors, are crucial in determining liability.
Additionally, trucking operations are subject to numerous regulations at both the federal and state levels. Compliance with these regulations can impact liability. For example, if a trucking company or driver violates hours-of-service regulations, it may contribute to driver fatigue and liability.
Speak with an experienced truck accident attorney about your case as soon as possible. An attorney can help investigate the circumstances of the collision, identify liable parties, and navigate the legal process to pursue compensation for those injured in the accident.
In most truck accident cases, car drivers and their passengers typically suffer severe injuries, while the truck driver walks away unscathed. This is due to the sheer size and weight of most commercial vehicles, as a fully loaded semi-truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), spinal cord injuries, multiple broken bones, severe burns, and even death are common in trucking accidents. Injured parties may require long-term care, which can be expensive.
Successfully navigating a State College truck accident claim with the help of an attorney can help victims obtain various forms of compensation, including:
Contact a State College truck accident lawyer to review your case and get help pursuing just compensation from the negligent truck driver.
If you sustained an injury in a truck accident in State College and wish to seek compensation, you must follow certain steps to safeguard your legal rights and file a claim.
The first thing you must do is seek immediate medical attention for your injuries. Not only is this crucial for your well-being, but you’ll need documentation of your injury and treatment for your claim.
You must also report the accident to the local law enforcement. A police report can provide important details about the incident, such as the cause of the crash and whether the truck driver violated any traffic laws or trucking regulations.
You also need to collect evidence at the scene, including photographs of the vehicles, the accident site, and any visible injuries. Exchange contact and insurance information with the truck driver and any other involved parties and obtain contact information from witnesses.
Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as admitting fault. Don’t apologize for the accident and stick to the facts when speaking with the other parties and law enforcement.
Report the accident to your insurance company. Provide them with the necessary information but be cautious about providing recorded statements without consulting an attorney.
Keep detailed records of your injuries, including medical bills, prescriptions, and any recommendations for future treatments. Your attorney can use these records and other documentation of your damages to accurately calculate the compensation you should seek.
Contact an attorney with experience handling truck accident cases.
A lawyer can handle all aspects of your claim, including:
If your attorney is successful in negotiating a settlement or securing a court award for you, they can help facilitate the process of acquiring your compensation and disbursing it to you.
Truck accident cases are notoriously complex since they involve federal and state regulations, multiple parties, and significant damages. Having an experienced attorney on your side can greatly enhance your chances of a successful outcome. If you’re pursuing compensation following a truck accident in State College, consult an attorney right away to understand your rights and options.
In State College and the rest of Pennsylvania, you have only two years from the date of your injury to file a truck accident lawsuit in civil court to seek damages. Failure to have an attorney file suit for you within that time means you will likely lose your rights to pursue compensation.
To make sure you have accurate information about Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations and how it applies to your case, you must speak with an experienced personal injury attorney.
An attorney can also advise you on applicable deadlines to file an injury claim with a government entity if a government-owned truck caused the collision. Keep in mind that claims against government agencies are typically far shorter than the state’s statute of limitations. So, you must contact an attorney right away.
Robert S. Marcus Personal Injury Attorney in State College
If you suffered injuries in a truck crash, your free consultation with a State College truck accident lawyer could help you organize and implement the steps you need to take to get fair compensation for all your losses.
Time is of the essence to ensure your attorney can gather the necessary evidence and file your claim or lawsuit within any applicable deadlines.
Do not delay in reaching out to a truck accident attorney at Marcus & Mack. Contact us today at (814) 942-9443 to take advantage of our free case evaluation.
By: Will C.
108 West Beaver Avenue, Suite 203 State College PA 16801 Phone: (814) 238-3480 Marcus & Mack
