Pennsylvania Semi-Truck/Trucking Accidents – An Attorney at Our Erie or Edinboro Offices Can Help
Victims of truck accidents often suffer serious or permanent injuries. Over 100,000 people a year are injured in trucking accidents
and more than 5,000 people are killed. Trucking companies and their insurance companies usually offer little help to the victims
of a truck accident.
Although trucks account for just three percent of all registered vehicles, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s
2004 data, they accounted for eight percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes. Every year thousands of victims of trucking
accidents do not receive just compensation. It is standard practice among insurance companies to initially offer victims a small
settlement. The Travis Law Firm knows what you are entitled to and will fight for just compensation.
Our attorneys are well versed in Pennsylvania law, and can assist you if you have been injured in a semi-truck or another type
of trucking accident. Each attorney at our Erie and Edinboro offices can review your claim and advise you of your legal options.
Serving Erie, Warren and Crawford Counties, our legal team will represent your best interests. If you are the victim of a trucking
accident, contact our personal injury lawyers today.
Semi-Truck Accident Statistics:
[Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s 2004 Data].
- 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic crashes in the United States.
- 4,862 were involved in fatal crashes accounting for 5,190 fatalities.
- 116,000 people were injured in trucking accidents.
- Trucks represented 8 percent of all vehicles involved in fatal crashes.
- 77 percent of fatalities in truck accidents were occupants of another vehicle.
- 73 percent of injuries in truck accidents were occupants of another vehicle.
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What Are the Most Common Causes of Large Truck Accidents?
Semi-truck accidents may be caused by a variety of factors – including the unique characteristics and capabilities of a large
truck. Trucks have certain limitations other motor vehicles do not. Other motor vehicle operators should be aware of these limitations.
Other Common Causes for Serious Truck Accidents:
- Overloaded or oversized trucks.
- Faulty or poorly maintained truck brakes.
- Poor driving conditions (fog, snow, rain, or smoke).
- Aggressive or reckless truck driving.
- Speeding.
- Lack of training on the part of the driver.
- Sleepy, tired, or fatigued driver.
- Unsafe safety systems, reflectors, lights, and other warning devices.
- Alcohol-related or drug-related accidents.
- Failure to lead the right of way.
- Failure of truck to install under-ride protection.
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What Can I Recover After a Semi-truck Accident?
As the victim of a trucking accident, you are eligible to compensation for your past and future medical bills, property damages,
lost income, pain and suffering, and restitution for how your injuries will influence the rest of your life.
If you are the family member of a trucking accident victim who has been killed as a
result of a negligent act of a truck driver, you may have the right to recover money damages for the loss of your loved one. Contact
our Pennsylvania offices and arrange a case evaluation about your semi-truck or other trucking accident claim with an attorney
at the Erie or Edinboro office of The Travis Law Firm.
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Who Can be Sued in a Truck Accident Case?
There are many possible defendants in a trucking accident.
- The truck’s driver
- The owner of the tractor
- The owner of the trailer
- The truck’s commercial company
Our Erie, Edinboro, and Western Pennsylvania semi-truck accident attorneys have years of experience in trucking accident litigations.
Contact the Travis Law Firm for a case evaluation and determine if you are entitled to restitution for your trucking accident
injuries.
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Truck Jackknifing
Jackknifing refers to the accidental folding of a large truck (like the angle of a folding pocket knife). Truck jackknifing may
be caused by equipment failure, improper braking, or poor road conditions. In many cases jackknifing will cause a rollover. Typically
a truck jackknifes as a result of the truck driver’s negligence – usually the driver locks up the breaks. A Pennsylvania semi-truck
accident attorney at our firm may be able to prove driver negligence.
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What to do at the Scene of a Trucking Accident?
If you are involved in a semi-truck or trucking accident, follow these general guidelines of what to do at the scene:
- Remain at the scene of the trucking accident.
- Call the police immediately.
- File a police report when the officers arrive.
- Seek medical attention, even if you think you are not injured. You may have injuries that will come to light later.
- Get the license number, personal and insurance details, and name of the other driver involved.
- Take notes – include the events of the accident, road conditions, and witness accounts.
- Contact the Travis Law Firm.
For more information on what to do at the scene of a motor vehicle accident, visit
our auto accidents page.
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Knowledgeable in Pennsylvania law, each semi-truck and trucking accident attorney at the Erie and Edinboro offices of The Travis
Law Firm has the experience necessary to provide expert legal advice. Serving Erie, Warren, and Crawford Counties our trustworthy
legal team will represent your best interests. Also check out our motor vehicle accidents, motorcycle
accidents, and wrongful death pages. Contact our
trucking accident attorneys today for a review of your case.
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