Truck Accidents
A commercial truck can weigh in excess of 80,000 pounds and can be deadly when involved in an accident with a passenger vehicle. The driver and passengers in cars, vans, and small trucks often suffer catastrophic injuries from the impact of the collision. Survivors of truck accidents often suffer painful and long recovery periods that can result in lost wages and financial burdens.
The Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. help victims of truck accidents claim justice for their injuries. The dedicated truck accident lawyers at the firm are committed to helping their clients claim the maximum amount of compensation available for their injuries, pain, and suffering through personal injury lawsuits. Their experience and long history of successful litigation allow their clients to recover from their injuries and avoid a financial crisis.
Types and Causes of Truck Accidents
There are many types of truck accidents that can happen, but the consequences suffered by those involved in the crash are commonly serious or catastrophic. Common types of truck accidents include:
- Head-On Collisions
- Jackknife
- Lost Loads
- Rear and Side Underride Accidents
- T-Bone, or Side Collisions
- Tire Blowouts
- Rollovers
The causes of these types of accidents vary, but they have some common denominators:
- Driver Distraction
- Fatigued and Drowsy Drivers
- Weather-Related Accidents
- Icy and Snow-Covered Roads
- Impaired Drivers
- Speeding
- Mechanical Failure
- Driver Error
What to do When a Truck Accident Happens
Victims of truck accidents need to do several things to ensure that the integrity of a potential injury claim is protected. Victims must first be assessed and treated for injuries. Medical emergency personnel should be called immediately when injuries occur, even when they do not appear life threatening. Internal organ damage, broken bones, and head injuries may not be obvious at first. The shock and trauma of the accident can delay pain and cognitive effects.
Law enforcement should also be called to the scene so that a formal police report is filed. The police report is vital information for insurance companies and a judge, should the case go to trial. The report will include the names of those involved, insurance information, driver’s license numbers, a description of what caused the accident, and details of what they encountered on the scene.
When possible, victims should take pictures of the accident scene that show the positions of the vehicles, damage to both the truck and passenger vehicle, and of the road conditions at the scene of the accident as well as any skid marks or debris on the road surrounding the accident. Witness testimony and contact information should also be collected.
Records from the emergency room, hospitals, surgeons, doctors, prescription medications, and physical therapists will support claims of the type and severity of the injuries sustained in the accident, and the pain and suffering endured by the victim. Counseling services related to the trauma of the accident are also vital evidence.
Once victims are stable, they or their family should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible following the truck accident. An experienced and qualified personal injury lawyer can ensure that the victim has all important evidence available, and can begin consulting and negotiating with insurance companies. Upon review of the information available, the lawyer can advise the victim on how to pursue compensation.
Claiming Compensation Through a Personal Injury Lawsuit
The attorney will begin the process with “discovery.” During this time, the lawyer can request depositions, witness testimony, and reports from insurance companies and doctors. This information is crucial to the success of the lawsuit.
It is likely that the defendant and the plaintiff will be advised to try to settle their claim through mediation to avoid the cost and time-consuming process of a trial. If an amicable agreement cannot be reached between the two parties, the case will be turned over to the court.
A court trial will involve a jury that listens to the evidence presented by both the plaintiff and the defendant. The jury not only decides who is at fault for the accident, but also the monetary amount the victim should receive. They also decide whether the settlement will include compensation for punitive damages. Settlement amounts are based on injuries sustained, medical costs and lost wages incurred as well as an estimate of costs associated with future medical treatments, and lost wages or earning potential.
Philadelphia Accident Lawyers at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. Counsel and Represent Truck Accident Victims
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a truck accident, call a Philadelphia accident lawyer at Freedman & Lorry, P.C. at 888-999-1962, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Our Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Cherry Hill, New Jersey offices serve clients throughout the surrounding areas.