Pennsylvania Truck Accident Attorneys

Common Types of Semi-Truck Accidents

Semi-truck accidents can take various forms, each with its own set of causes and potential consequences. Understanding these common types can help in recognizing the risks associated with large trucks on the road. Here are some of the most common types of semi-truck accidents:

• Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife accident occurs when the trailer of a semi-truck swings out to the side, forming a sharp angle with the cab, resembling the shape of a folding knife. This typically happens when the truck's drive wheels lock up during braking, causing the trailer to skid and swing outward. Jackknife accidents are particularly dangerous because the swinging trailer can collide with nearby vehicles, potentially leading to multi-vehicle crashes.
• Rollover Accidents: Rollover accidents involve a semi-truck tipping over onto its side or roof, which can happen due to sharp turns, speeding, or uneven road surfaces. Semi-trucks are particularly susceptible to rollovers because of their high center of gravity, especially when carrying heavy or improperly balanced loads. Rollovers can lead to severe damage, both to the truck and other vehicles, and can cause significant traffic disruptions.
• Rear-End Collisions: Due to their massive size and weight, semi-trucks require a much longer distance to come to a complete stop compared to passenger vehicles. Rear-end collisions occur when a truck cannot stop in time and crashes into the vehicle in front of it. These accidents can be especially deadly for the occupants of the smaller vehicle due to the force of the impact. Factors like driver distraction, tailgating, or brake failure often contribute to rear-end collisions involving semi-trucks.
• Underride Accidents: Underride accidents are among the most catastrophic types of semi-truck accidents. They occur when a smaller vehicle slides underneath the trailer of a semi-truck, often causing severe or fatal injuries to the occupants of the smaller vehicle. This type of accident usually happens during sudden stops or when a truck is making a turn. While many trucks are equipped with underride guards to prevent such accidents, these guards are not always effective, and the risk remains high.
• T-Bone or Side-Impact Collisions: T-bone accidents, also known as side-impact collisions, happen when the front of one vehicle crashes into the side of another. In the context of semi-trucks, these accidents typically occur at intersections when a truck driver fails to yield the right of way or runs a red light. The size and force of a semi-truck can cause devastating damage to the side of the impacted vehicle, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
• Blind Spot Accidents: Semi-trucks have large blind spots, known as "no-zones," on all four sides of the vehicle, where smaller vehicles may not be visible to the truck driver. Blind spot accidents occur when a truck driver changes lanes or makes a turn without seeing a vehicle in their blind spot, leading to a collision. These accidents are common on highways, where trucks frequently change lanes, and the consequences can be severe due to the size disparity between the vehicles involved.
• Head-On Collisions: Head-on collisions involve the front ends of two vehicles crashing into each other and are often fatal, especially when a semi-truck is involved. These accidents typically occur when a truck crosses the centerline into oncoming traffic, which can happen due to driver fatigue, distracted driving, or adverse weather conditions. The immense force generated by a head-on collision with a semi-truck can cause catastrophic damage and loss of life.
• Wide Turn Accidents: Wide turn accidents happen when a semi-truck makes a turn, usually a right turn, and swings out into an adjacent lane to accommodate the large turning radius required by the truck. This maneuver can catch other drivers off guard, leading to collisions with vehicles in the adjacent lane. In some cases, smaller vehicles can get trapped between the truck and the curb, resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.

Proving Liability in Truck Accident Claims

Truck accidents create a unique set of liability circumstances that require extensive investigation. Often, after a car accident, there is usually just one liable party: the negligent driver that caused the accident. However, the truck driver who hit you is probably not the only party who can be found partially liable for your damages.

In many truck accident cases, the following parties may be partially or wholly liable:

• The Trucking Company: Just like most employers are liable for the conduct of their employees, trucking companies are often liable for accidents caused by their drivers. In some cases, trucking companies are responsible for accidents because they violated federal or state hours-of-service regulations, or because they failed to conduct proper background checks on new hires. Whatever the case, our truck accident attorneys know how to fully investigate these accidents to determine what factors played a role in the crash.
• Maintenance Crews: Some truckers depend on independent teams of maintenance crew members to inspect and fix their vehicles at regular intervals. If maintenance crews fail to perform proper routine maintenance and/or repairs, they may be liable for resulting accidents. When these teams are independently contracted, accident victims may be able to file third-party claims or lawsuits against them and seek compensation/supplementary compensation for their damages.
• Loading Crews: An incorrectly loaded or overloaded truck can cause it to tip, rollover, jackknife, or otherwise become uncontrollable. In some cases, an overloaded truck’s brakes will fail, leading to serious and often-fatal collisions. Load crews sometimes load trucks without the truck driver ever being given a chance to check their work. A crash could be caused in part by a load crew’s mistakes, and when this is the case, these parties could be held independently liable for resulting injuries and damages.

Other parties could also be liable for a truck accident, such as negligent passenger vehicle drivers, manufacturers that create or distribute defective parts or vehicles, and others. Our firm can handle the complex nuances of your case to determine who is liable—and we will fight for the maximum recovery you are owed.

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Truck Accident

Truck accidents are devastating, and in the aftermath, individuals often make errors that can weaken their ability to recover compensation. Being aware of these mistakes and how to avoid them is crucial for protecting your rights. Below are some of the most common mistakes people make after a truck accident:

1. Not Seeking Immediate Medical Attention: One of the most frequent errors is delaying medical evaluation. Even if injuries seem minor, symptoms can worsen over time. Immediate medical attention not only ensures your well-being but also creates an essential medical record that supports your claim.
2. Failing to Document the Accident Scene: Proper documentation is vital. Many individuals neglect to take photographs of the accident scene, the vehicles involved, and any visible injuries. Collecting witness contact information and making notes about weather and road conditions can also be crucial.
3. Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Without Legal Advice: It’s common for accident victims to speak with insurance companies too soon. Adjusters may use your statements to minimize payouts. Without legal guidance, you might inadvertently say something that could harm your claim.

How a Truck Accident Attorney Can Help

Hiring a truck accident attorney provides numerous benefits, helping you avoid these pitfalls and protect your rights:

• Legal Guidance: An experienced attorney offers invaluable advice on how to proceed after an accident. They ensure you receive appropriate medical attention and help you understand your rights and potential compensation.
• Documenting the Accident: Your attorney will guide you in collecting and preserving evidence. They can even collaborate with accident reconstruction experts to establish fault and liability.
• Handling Insurance Companies: With a truck accident attorney on your side, you won’t have to face insurance adjusters alone. Your lawyer will handle all communications, ensuring that your statements are protected and that you are not pressured into accepting an inadequate settlement.

By avoiding these common mistakes and seeking the support of an experienced truck accident attorney, you can effectively navigate the complexities of your case and work towards securing the compensation you deserve. At Metzger Wickersham, our skilled team is dedicated to advocating for your rights and helping you through this challenging time.

Understanding the Importance of Hiring a Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents can result in severe injuries, extensive property damage, and overwhelming medical expenses. It's crucial to seek legal representation from experienced truck accident lawyers who understand the complexities of these cases and can fight for the compensation you deserve. Our team at Metzger Wickersham has a proven track record of successfully representing truck accident victims and holding negligent parties accountable.

Reasons to hire a truck accident lawyer include:

• Thorough investigation of the accident
• Knowledge of federal and state trucking regulations
• Experience dealing with aggressive insurance companies
• Negotiation for maximum compensation
• Litigation if a fair settlement cannot be reached

Don't navigate the legal process alone – let our dedicated Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys advocate for your rights and help you recover from this traumatic experience.

Trucking Companies Are Aggressive Adversaries

All motorists are expected to operate their vehicles safely on the road. However, due to the size of 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, commercial drivers have a special duty to operate their rigs with extra care and professionalism. Trucking companies and their drivers are required to carry more insurance coverage and must meet higher safety standards, including many federal regulations that other vehicles do not have to meet.

Trucking companies generally have large resources and large insurance companies backing them up. They will do whatever they can to collect evidence and protect their own interests. That's why it is important to contact a skilled truck accident lawyer in Pennsylvania. Without professional legal representation, it is quite likely that your rights will be undermined and that you will be forced to settle for less than what your accident actually cost you.

Fight For Maximum Compensation with Metzger Wickersham!

Whatever the cause of the accident, negligent truck drivers, trucking companies, and other parties need to be held accountable for their actions. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, it is important to seek qualified legal counsel. Turn to the experienced Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys at Metzger Wickersham. If we represent you, we will relentlessly fight to get you fair and just compensation.

With offices in Harrisburg, Lancaster, Pottsville, Shippensburg, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, Frederick, and York, we can meet with you anywhere in Pennsylvania. We are also available to travel to your home or meet you in the hospital if needed. And, because we offer our services on a contingency fee basis, you owe nothing upfront and pay zero out-of-pocket expenses when you hire our firm. Instead, we only collect attorney fees if/when we win your case.

Contact us online or call us today at (888) 286-2850 to schedule your complimentary consultation and case evaluation with a member of our team.