Under federal law, fully loaded commercial trucks can weigh a maximum of 80,000 pounds, which means truck drivers are responsible for keeping up to 40 tons of cargo, mechanical components, and 18 or more wheels on course for long hours every workday. If a truck operator fails to do so and allows his or her cab or trailer skid sideways, the result could be a rollover that collects multiple other vehicles and causes catastrophic injuries.
Rollover truck accidents in State College often result in immense physical, financial, and personal losses, and seeking fair compensation for all those damages without professional legal assistance could be a major misstep. Support from a seasoned State College 18-wheeler accident attorney could be crucial to boosting your odds of a favorable outcome after such a devastating wreck.
There are many different ways in which a truck driver, trucking company, or affiliated third party’s negligence could lead to a rollover truck crash in State College. Unfortunately, one of the most common causes of this type of incident is driver inexperience or carelessness. A truck driver who is distracted by his or her cell phone, impaired by substances or fatigue, or simply not prepared to safely navigate his or her truck around sudden obstacles or hazards has a much higher risk of causing an accident than a qualified driver fulfilling his or her duty of care.
In some cases, fault for rollover accidents lies not with the person operating the tractor-trailer involved, but with a third party whose negligence allowed the truck itself to become unsafe. For example, if a mechanical component failure is what causes a truck to skid and ultimately turn over, a mechanic who failed to notice and replace that component during routine service might be at fault for ensuing damages.
Likewise, a third-party supplier or distributor that does not ensure cargo is loaded and secured safely may be responsible for a rollover wreck caused by that cargo shifting during transit. An experienced attorney in the area could offer irreplaceable guidance when it comes to identifying the at-fault party and taking appropriate legal action following an accident like this.
Since rollover truck wrecks in State College often cause life-altering harm to those unfortunate enough to be involved in them, civil settlements and damage awards following these incidents can be substantial. These high dollar values are meant to account for both past and future losses that a plaintiff may deal with, or the incalculable losses surviving family members may sustain due to a fatal rollover crash. This can include:
Depending on a plaintiff’s unique circumstances, dedicated legal counsel could help pursue restitution for various economic and non-economic losses related to a truck rolling over.
When commercial trucks overturn because of someone else’s negligence, anyone hurt as a result may have grounds to file suit against the responsible individual or entity. However, doing so effectively can be challenging without help from a legal representative who has handled similar cases before.
Dealing with the effects of a rollover truck accident in State College could be much easier once you retain a seasoned lawyer at Marcus & Mack. Call today to discuss your unique case.
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