Truck Accident Lawyers

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, 7,366 crashes involving heavy trucks occurred in 2016. Of the heavy truck accidents that occurred throughout the state, 26 of the accidents were fatal crashes.

Truck accidents can cause serious harm to smaller vehicles and their occupants. The average passenger vehicle weighs between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. Trucks can weigh many times this amount, especially eighteen-wheelers and tractor-trailers. Although federal and state regulations aim to prevent truck accidents by imposing tough requirements on vehicle weights and on commercial drivers, truck accidents still cause many accidents and injuries every year.

If you or someone you love has been harmed in a truck accident, it is important to understand your legal rights. Truck accidents can be legally complex due to the multiple possible defendants and the seriousness of the injuries. Bethlehem attorney McKarski, who is well-versed in handling these types of claims, can help. To learn more about laws against truck accidents or about possible parties you can make a claim against, contact the Law Offices of Edward J. McKarski today at 610-866-0198 or complete our online contact form.

Bethlehem Attorney McKarski Advises on Laws Against Truck Accidents

When a truck driver causes a truck accident, those who are injured in the accident may be able to make a claim against the truck driver, depending upon the extent of injured victim’s injuries and whether the victim has full tort or limited tort insurance. To prevail in a claim, the injured driver must prove that the truck driver violated a safety law (such as driving over the maximum time allowed) or that the truck driver was unreasonably careless in a way that no reasonable truck driver would have behaved.

While a claim to recover compensation for a truck accident can be based on the negligence of the driver, it is important to remember that the driver may not always be the primary party at fault. The driver's employer may also be included in a truck accident claim. The employer has "deeper pockets" and is usually more able to pay for the costs of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress that can be awarded in truck accident cases to injured victims.

In addition, you can file a claim against the employer of the truck driver or against the trucking company if the company itself was unreasonably careless and acted negligently. For example, a trucking company that hired a driver with numerous points on his license and a bad driving record may have been negligent in its hiring practices since no reasonable company would have hired such a driver. The trucking company can also be held responsible for the actions of its employer since the driver is acting on behalf of, and as an agent for, the company.

Bethlehem Injury Lawyer McKarski

An attorney who understands laws against truck accidents can help you determine the best parties to take legal action against. With the help of an attorney at McKarski-Law, you can identify all possible defendants to maximize your ability to recover damages. Our skilled and dedicated attorneys help clients prove their case so they can get the compensation they deserve.

To learn more about how we can help, contact the Law Offices of Edward J. McKarski today at 610-866-0198 or by using our online form.