Truck Accident Claims in the Lehigh Valley: The Short Answer
The Lehigh Valley’s warehouses put heavy truck traffic on I-78, Route 22, Route 33 and the Northeast Extension (I-476). After a crash with a tractor-trailer, the trucking company and its insurer move fast to protect themselves. Driver logs, electronic logging device (ELD) data and the truck’s “black box” can be lost if no one asks to preserve them. Most injury claims must be filed within two years. Our Allentown office at 107 Hamilton Street serves crash victims across Lehigh and Northampton counties, and the consultation is free.
Fully loaded tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When distracted, fatigued, or reckless truck drivers are in control of these big rigs, it can put numerous people at risk. A vehicle collision involving a large tractor-trailer can lead to severe injuries for everyone involved and millions of dollars in losses.
If you or a loved one was harmed in a wreck with a commercial truck, Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can help you seek fair payment for your injuries. Founding attorney Jon Ostroff has over 30 years of experience fighting for the rights of injured parties. Our firm has won many million-dollar and multi-million dollar recoveries for clients injured by negligent truck drivers. In a recent settlement, our client “John” ran out of gas on the interstate, before a tractor-trailer slammed into the rear of his car. Only a year after this crash, Jon Ostroff and our team of skilled personal injury lawyers, obtained a $10 million settlement for John. In another truck crash that occurred in the midst of a “white-out” blizzard on another interstate, Jon secured a critical statement from the at fault driver within days of the crash that led to a settlement totaling over $3 million.
Seeking fair financial restitution is never a simple task, but our Allentown truck accident lawyers can make the process easier for you. Our team will handle all legal aspects of your client while you focus on healing. We will do everything it takes to quickly capture the physical evidence, witness statements, and anything else we need to help win a strong recovery for our clients.
Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
There are many potential issues that can cause a semi-truck wreck. However, most collisions stem from reckless conduct by the truck driver or their company. Understanding the cause of a truck crash is critical to identifying the negligent party in the case. Some of the most common causes of tractor-trailer crashes include:
Any injured party who believes one of these issues led to their truck accident in Allentown should get in touch with a skilled local attorney right away.
Recovering Compensation After a Semi-Truck Wreck
While any type of auto accident can have serious and lasting repercussions, truck crashes often have the most devastating consequences. Many accident victims suffer debilitating and permanent harm that fundamentally changes the course of their life.
Because of the severity of semi-truck accidents, it is important to aggressively seek payment for all injuries and damages resulting from the negligent party’s actions. The at fault truck driver and his or her company must be held accountable. This can require a deep look into company safety practices, the driver’s personnel file and driving record, related social media and far more. A qualified semi-truck crash lawyer in Allentown can help an injured driver obtain payment for all related economic and non-economic losses such as:
Pain and Suffering
Past and future lost wages
Loss of future earning capacity (if your injuries will reduce the length of time you are able to work, before your injuries disable you due to future surgeries, arthritis in injured areas, life shortening conditions, etc.)
Past and current medical expenses
Future medical costs, including physical therapy, medications, specialized equipment like wheelchairs, and home modifications
Replacement of a totaled vehicle and other damaged property
Reduced enjoyment of life
Consortium claim for your spouse
A skilled and effective truck crash lawyer will fight for the maximum amount of compensation available in your truck accident case.
Steps a Lawyer Will Take After an Accident
After a severe accident, it is crucial to reach out to a lawyer who has the resources to take on a claim and will spare no expense to win. Legal counsel will play a vital role in investigating the scene of an accident and collecting relevant evidence. A top injury lawyer will use this evidence to identify the at-fault parties and build a solid case.
The sooner evidence in a truck crash case is gathered, the better. In a recent explosive truck crash case handled by Jon Ostroff and his team at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers, Jon spent many days at the crash scene immediately after his team was retained. As a result, he was able to obtain a witness statement that was critical to proving his client wasn’t at fault, even though Jon’s client ran out of gas on a major PA interstate. He also filed emergency motions with the court within a week of the crash, which led to his ability to stop the at-fault truck from being modified so his renowned mechanical and truck experts could examine, measure, and photograph all relevant evidence while it was fresh. As a result of this immediate and hard work, Jon was able to secure a $10 million settlement for his client only a year after this crash.
An effective lawyer will rely on the top experts in the trucking field to help build their client’s case. Reconstructing your crash with modern equipment used to determine the cause of a crash analyzing road conditions, reviewing training procedures, identifying trucking regulations that may have been violated are just a few of the complex steps that will be taken to properly pursue a client’s truck crash claim.
Choosing a legal representative who understands personal injury law and federal trucking regulations is essential to achieving a good outcome in a trucking accident case. A determined lawyer will take the lead in gathering evidence, retaining the right experts, and negotiating with insurance companies in order to get the best recovery possible for their injured client. Working with a seasoned Allentown lawyer will simplify the entire legal process after a tractor-trailer collision.
Lehigh Valley Truck Accident FAQs
Who can be held responsible for a truck crash in the Lehigh Valley?
The driver, the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, the owner of the trailer and sometimes a maintenance shop. Federal rules make the carrier responsible for its drivers’ hours and the truck’s condition.
How much insurance does a tractor-trailer carry?
Federal law requires most interstate carriers hauling general freight to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage (49 CFR 387.9). Hazardous loads require more.
I have limited tort. Can I still sue after a truck crash?
Possibly. Pennsylvania lets limited tort drivers sue for pain and suffering if the at-fault driver was operating a vehicle registered in another state, among other exceptions in 75 Pa.C.S. § 1705(d). Many trucks on I-78 are registered out of state, and serious injuries are also an exception.
What evidence matters most after a truck accident?
The driver’s hours-of-service records, ELD and engine data, dispatch records, the driver’s qualification file, maintenance logs and dash camera footage. A lawyer can send a preservation letter so the company keeps them.
How long do I have to file a truck accident claim in Pennsylvania?
Generally two years from the crash under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524. Claims against a government vehicle require written notice within six months.
Where would my Lehigh Valley case be filed?
Lehigh County cases are heard at the Lehigh County Courthouse, 455 West Hamilton Street, Allentown. Northampton County cases are heard at the courthouse in Easton.
Get in Touch with an Allentown Truck Accident Attorney Today
Truck crashes are traumatic and dangerous events, even when they occur at relatively low speeds. If you suffered harm due to a negligent truck driver, you deserve to be paid for your injuries. Our Allentown truck accident lawyers will stand by your side from the start to the finish of your case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
