Pittsburgh Truck Accident Lawyers

A collision involving a tractor-trailer or commercial truck can cause devastating injuries and raise legal issues that do not exist in an ordinary passenger-vehicle accident.

The driver may not be the only potentially responsible party. A serious truck crash can involve a trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance provider, cargo company, commercial insurer, or other business.

Pisanchyn Law Firm represents people seriously injured in truck accidents throughout Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Western Pennsylvania.

Why Are Truck Accident Cases Different?

Commercial trucking operations can generate extensive records concerning the driver, vehicle, company, maintenance, and operation of the truck.

A truck accident investigation may involve:

• Driver qualification information
• Hours-of-service records
• Electronic logging information
• Dispatch records
• Vehicle inspection records
• Maintenance and repair history
• Electronic vehicle data
• Dash-camera footage
• Cargo records
• Drug and alcohol testing information
• Cell phone records
• Accident-scene evidence

Preserving this information can be particularly important after a serious collision. For an overview of each stage, see what happens when you file an injury claim in Pennsylvania.

What Causes Tractor-Trailer Accidents?

Truck crashes may result from driver behavior, mechanical problems, company practices, road conditions, or several factors occurring together.

Potential causes include:

• Driver fatigue
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Following too closely
• Unsafe lane changes
• Improper turns
• Inadequate driver training
• Brake failures
• Tire failures
• Poor vehicle maintenance
• Improperly secured cargo
• Overloaded vehicles
• Impaired driving
• Unsafe driving for weather or traffic conditions

The cause may not be obvious from the police report alone.

Who Can Be Responsible for a Truck Accident?

Depending upon the circumstances, potentially responsible parties may include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The owner of the truck or trailer
• Maintenance and repair contractors
• Cargo loading companies
• Manufacturers
• Other companies involved in the trucking operation

Identifying every responsible party can become especially important when a collision results in catastrophic injuries or death. If you lost a family member in a truck crash, our Pittsburgh wrongful death lawyers can explain what claims your family may have.

Serious Injuries Caused by Commercial Trucks

The difference in size and weight between a tractor-trailer and passenger vehicle can result in severe injuries.

Truck accident victims may suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Paralysis
• Amputations
• Multiple fractures
• Internal organ damage
• Severe burns
• Permanent neurological injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement
• Fatal injuries

These cases may require consideration of future medical treatment, rehabilitation, lost earning capacity, assistive equipment, and long-term personal care.

Trucking Companies May Begin Investigating Immediately

After a serious commercial crash, the trucking company and its insurer may begin gathering information quickly.

That makes early preservation of evidence important.

Our attorneys can investigate the accident, identify potentially relevant records, communicate with insurers and other parties, and determine what evidence may be needed to establish responsibility.

What Compensation May Be Available?

Depending upon the circumstances, compensation may potentially include:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical treatment
• Lost wages
• Reduced future earning capacity
• Rehabilitation
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disability
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Long-term care
• Other losses resulting from the collision

Pittsburgh Truck Accident Attorneys

Pisanchyn Law Firm represents people injured in tractor-trailer, semi-truck, delivery vehicle, and other commercial vehicle accidents throughout Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, and Western Pennsylvania. We also represent people hurt in crashes involving passenger vehicles through our Pittsburgh car accident lawyers.

Pisanchyn Law Firm
241 Fourth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-261-1212

Pittsburgh Truck Accident FAQs

How long do I have to file a truck accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania? In most cases, Pennsylvania gives injured people two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Exceptions can apply, and waiting until the deadline is close can make it harder to preserve trucking records, so it is best to speak with an attorney early.

Why does evidence matter so much right after a truck crash? Federal rules only require trucking companies to keep some records, such as certain hours-of-service documents, for a limited time. An attorney can send a preservation letter asking the company to keep driver logs, electronic data, and maintenance records before they are lost.

Can I still recover compensation if I was partly at fault? Possibly. Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule, you can generally recover damages as long as you were not more than 50 percent responsible, although your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.

What does it cost to hire a Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer? The consultation is free, and there is no fee unless we win. Call 412-261-1212 or 1-800-444-5309 to talk about your case.

Talk to a Pittsburgh Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or someone in your family was seriously injured in a commercial truck accident, request a free case evaluation from Pisanchyn Law Firm.

We can investigate the driver, trucking company, vehicle, insurance coverage, and other circumstances surrounding the crash.

Call 412-261-1212 or 1-800-444-5309 for a free consultation.

For personal injury matters accepted on a contingency-fee basis, there is no attorney fee unless we recover compensation for you.