Tractor Trailer & Truck Accident Attorneys in Scranton and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania — The Foley Law Firm
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 5,212 people were killed and an additional 114,000 were injured in the nearly half million tractor trailer accidents reported in 2005. Despite accounting for just 3 percent of all registered vehicles, large trucks were involved in 12 percent of all traffic fatalities.
One of the most challenging areas of personal injury law, truck accident cases generally require detailed investigation into the circumstances of the accident as well as a lawyer who has intimate familiarity with vehicle codes and regulations. At the Foley Law Firm, our personal injury lawyers have extensive experience handling complex tractor trailer and commercial truck accident cases. Indeed, our truck accident attorneys in Scranton and Stroudsburg have represented many victims and their families in an extensive range of cases, including those involving factors other than strict driver negligence. We provide strong representation in truck accident cases involving any cause, including driver fatigue; inadequate driver training; mechanical failures; the failure to inspect tires, brakes, and other equipment; oversized loads; and violations of the Motor Carrier Safety Act.
If you or someone you love was involved in a truck accident, and you would like to know whether you have an actionable case, we invite you to contact our experienced, aggressive truck accident attorneys in northeastern Pennsylvania today. Schedule a consultation with our personal injury lawyers.
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Trucking Accidents
The standard automobile is designed to withstand collisions with other similarly sized automobiles, not 60,000+ pound big rigs. And while most large trucks are designed with the safety of the truck driver in mind, there is little protection afforded to automobile drivers and passengers in the event of an accident with a large truck.
Even under the most favorable conditions, large trucks are more difficult to control and more prone to serious rollover accidents than other motor vehicles, and severe weather or adverse road conditions increase the likelihood of an accident. Even experienced, competent truck drivers can lose control of their vehicles and hit other vehicles on the road, causing devastating accidents.
Because the characteristics of large trucks make them inherently more dangerous in an accident than other motor vehicles, it is particularly important for truck drivers and trucking companies to observe safety codes and regulations. When an accident occurs due to a violation of these codes and regulations, whether it is flagrant or unintentional, any and all parties responsible for the accident can be held liable. Our truck accident attorneys in Scranton and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania have handled many such cases, conducting thorough research and investigations, analyzing all possible physical and medical evidence, gathering witness and police reports, and taking action against multiple parties when appropriate. We can help you establish truck accident liability and recover just compensation.
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Common Truck Accident Causes
Many truck accident cases involve negligent or careless acts on the part of the driver. Often, these acts result directly from the use of illegal drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol. More recently, distractions such as cell phones and the operation of compact disc players have led to an increasing number of accidents. Many accidents are caused by drivers who drive more hours than is legal and suffer from lack of sleep. Others still are caused by speeding, tailgating, the failure to reduce speed appropriately around turns and on downhill slopes, and other forms of reckless driving.
Additionally, trucks have certain speed, turning, visibility, and braking characteristics that, when a truck driver is negligent, can be contributing factors in a truck accident. Causes of serious semi-tractor trailer accidents include:
- Insufficient driver training
- Dangerous or reckless driving
- Poorly maintained brakes
- Overloaded or oversized trucks
- Poor driving conditions (fog, snow, rain, or smoke)
- Truck defects (defective tires, safety systems, lights, and other equipment)
- Speeding or aggressive driving behavior
- Fatigued, sleepy, or tired driver
- Failure to install an under-ride protection
- Truck drivers driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol
Our truck accident attorneys in Scranton and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania will evaluate your case and aggressively pursue compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other hardships. To schedule a complimentary case consultation, contact the Foley Law Firm today.
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Investigating Truck Accidents
After a tractor trailer accident has occurred, it is essential to begin an investigation and accident reconstruction right away. Working with a truck company or its insurance company after a collision with a semi-truck is very different than dealing with an insurance company that insures a private passenger car. Trucking companies and trucking insurance adjusters investigating the cause of trucking collisions will act quickly to find any evidence or witnesses that they can use to avoid financial responsibility to those injured. Therefore, it is essential that you have experienced professionals acting quickly on your behalf. At the Foley Law Firm, our Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys provide thorough accident investigation services for our clients.
Our investigative team begins by surveying the truck accident scene. We take photographs, measurements, and witness statements. When all the available evidence is collected, our accident reconstruction experts then carefully review the findings. Early truck accident scene investigation may be integral to your lawsuit's success.
Note: Accident reconstruction is not required for every case. If a lawsuit involves a simple case of driver negligence, it is not in the client's economic interest to conduct a full accident reconstruction. Accident reconstruction is useful in more complex cases, such as collisions involving vehicular rollover, seatbelt failure, and unsafe road design.
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Contact Our Truck Accident Attorneys in Pennsylvania
The knowledgeable team of truck accident attorneys at the Foley Law Firm in Scranton and Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, has the knowledge, experience, and financial resources necessary to thoroughly investigate and expertly present your claim. After being involved in a collision with a commercial truck or semi-tractor trailer, it is important to remember that the trucking company representatives and adjusters are not working for you or looking after your interests. We will. If you or someone you love has been the victim of a truck accident, our attorneys may be able to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled. For more information, please contact the Foley Law Firm today.
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