Truck Accident Lawyer In Philadelphia
Involved in a truck accident? Call Cousin Benny for a free consultation. No fee unless we win your case.
Car accidents involving commercial trucks can result in devastating property damage and injuries. Given the size and height of tractor-trailers, as well as their maneuverability challenges, driving alongside these trucks can be dangerous, and injury claims involving commercial trucks can be especially complex. That’s why it’s advisable to hire a personal injury law firm with experience in semi-truck accident injury cases.
The knowledgeable Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Cousin Benny can help prove fault for your accident, determine all your damages, and fight for the maximum compensation you are entitled to following a collision with a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle. Schedule a free consultation today to learn how much your truck accident case could be worth.
How Our Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
The first step to achieving a favorable outcome in a truck accident case is to perform a thorough investigation of the accident. The attorneys at Cousin Benny can investigate the scene and perform an analysis of the facts surrounding your truck accident, even retaining specialized experts when necessary. We’ll gather all the relevant evidence and documentation that can be used to demonstrate the truck driver’s negligence, such as witness testimony, police reports, and data from the truck’s black box and logbook.
Next, there is the matter of the insurance company’s evaluation of your damages. Often insurance companies will undervalue claims for truck accidents as a way to save money, but this comes at the expense of you, the injured party. The attorneys at Cousin Benny will act as aggressive negotiators on your behalf, using our knowledge of the law to secure you a favorable settlement for your injuries. If you are still not offered an acceptable settlement, our lawyers will prepare your truck accident case for trial and fight to get you proper compensation through litigation.
Areas We Serve
- Center City, Philly
- Northeast Philadelphia
- South Philadelphia
- West Philadelphia
- North Philadelphia
Why Choose Cousin Benny?
We Treat Our Clients Like Family
The attorneys at Cousin Benny do not see you as a mere client, but instead as family. Our personal injury attorneys understand the suffering you have endured after a truck accident and the importance of obtaining a favorable result for compensation. We work with you throughout the entire process of your case, and do everything we can to help you rebuild your life following your injury.
Free Consultations Offered
A common mistake victims of truck accident injuries make is failing to consult an attorney, but there is no risk to you to talk with us about your case. The attorneys at Cousin Benny offer free and confidential consultations. Our experienced truck accident lawyers review the facts of your case and provide you with an evaluation regarding the strengths and weaknesses of your injury claim.
No Fee Until You Win
Another common mistake injured truck accident victims make is failing to hire an attorney after they meet with one. With Cousin Benny, you do not have to pay any upfront fees. We are paid by a contingency fee, which means our attorneys are only paid if your case settles or if we obtain a money judgment at trial.
How Common Are Semi-Truck Accidents in PA?
While commercial vehicle accidents in Philadelphia are not as common as collisions involving passenger cars only, semi-truck accidents still occur with alarming frequency. A study by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation found that six percent of all collisions that occurred in Pennsylvania in 2020 involved a heavy-duty truck. Specifically, the report found that heavy-duty trucks were involved in 6,344 collisions.
Commercial truck drivers follow rules set in place to minimize the risks of accidents, such as sleep requirements, maintaining a driver’s log, and limits on the number of hours the truck can be operated. Even so, there are common reasons for tractor-trailer accidents, including:
Speeding
Commercial truck drivers are usually obligated by contract to deliver their cargo by a certain date. If a truck driver fails to deliver their cargo on schedule, they can be financially penalized. Accordingly, truck drivers may drive faster than the posted speed limit in order to deliver their cargo on schedule. Such speeding can increase the risk of accidents.
Distracted Driving
Commercial trucks are complex vehicles that require specialized training to operate. Despite this, truck drivers may still drive distracted while talking on their cellular phones or radios. They can also spend long periods of time on the road, which means they sometimes brush their teeth or comb their hair while driving. Distractions like these can increase the chances of accidents.
Tiredness/Fatigue
Drivers of tractor-trailers spend long periods of time isolated when they drive long distances. Due to the isolated nature of their work, truck drivers are required to take rest breaks during which they must sleep. Commercial drivers sometimes skip these required break periods, however, in order to deliver their cargo on schedule, which means they may become fatigued and get into accidents due to an inability to pay attention to their surroundings.
Improper Truck Maintenance
Commercial trucking companies are always searching for ways to increase their profits. Sometimes they fail to properly maintain their vehicles as a way to save money. Many truck collisions are caused by defective brakes and tires as a result of improper maintenance.
Driver Impairment
Truck drivers sometimes become addicted to stimulants in order to combat the effects of driver fatigue. This abuse issue can escalate to abuse of other drugs or substances such as alcohol. Driving impaired can be a major contributing factor to truck accidents.
Common Injuries in a Trucking Accident
Commercial trucks are large vehicles which are often transporting heavy loads of cargo. Accordingly, a collision involving a semi-truck can produce catastrophic injuries that can be life-altering.
Injuries to truck accident victims may include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries
- Concussions
- Severe contusions
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
What Types of Damages Can You Recover Following a Truck Accident?
Economic Damages
Economic damages are calculated through the sum of invoices, medical bills, lost wages, and anything else that can prove the truck crash caused you a financial loss. Economic damages from a truck accident can include, but are not limited to:
- Medical bills
- Additional healthcare expenses
- The cost of medication
- Transportation to and from medical facilities
- Lost wages
- Loss of future wages
- Funeral and burial expenses
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not as easily calculated as economic damages and may include the pain and suffering you’ve endured following a truck accident. Non-economic damages include, but are not limited to:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
- Permanent scarring or disfigurement
Statistics about Commercial Truck Accidents
Where Do Most Semi-Truck Accidents Occur in Pennsylvania?
According to a report by PennDot, state highways host the most truck accidents, accounting for 83% of all accidents (2016-2020). In 2019, Pennsylvania had 22 total fatalities from truck crashes. Out of the five-year time period from 2016 to 2020, 2018 had the most crashes with a total of 7,336 for the year. In 2020, there were 6,344 truck crashes, the lowest out of that five-year time period.
Most recently, an analysis of Google search data by the attorneys at Cousin Benny suggests that truck accidents are on the rise in Philadelphia.
In any metropolitan area, motor vehicle accidents are bound to occur at a high rate. Philadelphia is no exception. Furthermore, Google search data collected by the personal injury lawyers at Cousin Benny suggests that a specific kind of vehicle accident has recently experienced a dramatic increase in searches: truck accidents.
Over the last year, Google search data on truck accidents suggests that these traffic incidents are on the rise in Philadelphia. When ranked on a scale of 0-100, searches for truck accidents reached a score of 100/100 between August 21-27, 2022. Not only was this an all-time high for the year, it was an all-time high for the last five years. The highest score before this period in 2022 was 68/100 between January 16-22, and before 2022 the highest score was 87/100 between December 19-25, 2021.
While this data from the 2021 holiday season was rather high, it serves as a sign of what was to come with more recent search data. Before this search data spike in late 2021, the previous highest score for truck accident searches reached 44/100 between December 9-15, 2018. And for further perspective on how searches have increased over the last five years, search scores mostly hovered between 20-30/100 between 2017 and 2021.
With the search data available from 2022, it’s clear that truck accidents are occurring and likely will continue to occur at an increased rate from the last five years. It’s difficult to identify what the cause behind this rise is without deeper research, but this data should compel motorists to exercise additional caution when on the road.
Philadelphia personal injury lawyer Cousin Benny has handled various truck accident cases over the years. With this data and additional information on truck accidents, drivers may find answers to this dramatic increase.
Common Types of Truck Accidents
Commercial trucks are prone to various types of accidents, many of which standard vehicles don’t experience due to their smaller size. Most CDL training places a focus on avoiding these accidents, but when they do occur it can be catastrophic for both the truck driver and other motorists. One of the best ways to avoid truck accidents is to know what they are and how they occur, so you and other motorists can be aware of what not to do when driving near commercial trucks.
The most common types of truck accidents are as follows:
Truck Rollovers
Truck rollovers often occur when a truck driver is going too fast around a tight turn, or if they swerve suddenly. This either causes the trailer or both the truck and trailer to fall onto its side, which can be catastrophic for the truck driver and any other vehicles in the truck’s path.
Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions involving commercial trucks often affect the vehicle being rear-ended more than the truck itself. Commercial trucks take a longer time to stop due to their weight and low maneuverability. So if a truck driver is speeding, or a standard-sized vehicle suddenly stops in front of a truck, a rear-end collision is more likely to occur.
Head-On Collisions
Head-on collisions occur for various reasons, whether a driver has failed to observe the right-of-way at an intersection, or a driver is driving while fatigued. Tire blowouts can also cause a driver to lose control of their truck and veer into oncoming traffic.
Jackknife Accidents
Jackknife accidents occur when a large, segmented truck like a tractor-trailer makes an improper turn that causes the trailer to swing on its pivot point and fold into a jackknife shape. The unpredictability of a skidding trailer makes these accidents particularly worrisome.
T-Bone Accidents
T-bone accidents involving large trucks can be devastating, as the vehicle that is struck can sustain significant damage. These accidents typically happen when a truck driver violates the proper right-of-way at a stoplight or stop sign and collides with a vehicle to make a “T” shape.
Sideswipe Accidents
Sideswipes are similar to T-bone collisions, except vehicles that experience this accident are usually traveling alongside one another. In many cases, a vehicle will sideswipe another because the driver failed to properly check their blind spot. With a truck accident, it’s also possible that a standard car lingered in a truck’s blind spot for too long, and the truck driver wasn’t able to see the other driver in their mirrors.
Wide Turn Accidents
Right-hand turns can be challenging for large trucks, making it essential for truck drivers and other motorists to show caution when a large truck is turning. Some truck drivers may approach a right turn by swinging their cab wide to the left, then circling through a right-hand turn to give themselves enough room. This can be hazardous for neighboring lanes, however, as other vehicles may get caught underneath the truck as it swings left.
What to Do If You Get Into a Truck Accident
Truck accidents can cause tremendous harm to all drivers involved. That’s why it’s important to follow certain steps when you get into a truck accident. With the right caution and forethought, you and other motorists can avoid additional injury.
Call the police
If you are able to access your phone after a truck accident, call 911 right away. This will allow police and any required EMS to clear the road, document what happened, and provide medical attention.
Seek medical attention
Even if you don’t immediately notice any injuries after an accident, it’s important to still get some kind of medical evaluation. You may have a concussion, severe bruising, or another injury that requires more than a visual diagnosis.
Document evidence at the scene
If you are uninjured and the area in which you had your accident is safe, take photos of the scene and gather any information necessary for insurance and legal purposes. This includes the other driver’s name, insurance information, license number, and trucking company.
Write down witness contact information
If anyone observed the accident and is still present at the scene, they can be used as a witness in any legal proceedings afterwards. Write down their name and contact information so it can be passed on to the police or a lawyer if necessary.
Get your vehicle appraised
Before you get your car repaired at a mechanic or body shop, get a repair estimate for your vehicle’s insurance claim. If you don’t, your insurance company may not be willing to pay for the full extent of the damages.
Watch what you say
It can be easy to become angry with the other driver when you get into an accident, but keeping a cool head is often the wisest choice. Most importantly, don’t discuss who was at fault with the other driver involved in the accident. That’s not to say you should lie about what happened, just discuss the situation strictly with police so the story doesn’t get twisted.
Avoid posting to social media
Just as you should watch what you say with the other driver in a truck accident, you should watch what you say online as well. Anything you say on social media can be used in a court case, so if you are going to post anything, make sure it has nothing to do with your feelings towards the accident.
Call a truck accident lawyer
Getting a truck accident lawyer involved after your accident can be crucial to your case. Truck accidents often have more parties than the truck driver involved, so the faster you can get a lawyer, the better chance you have against the trucking company or the driver’s employer.
Call the Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers at Cousin Benny
Based on Google search data, truck accidents in Philadelphia are on the rise. If you or a loved one was recently involved in a truck accident, the injury lawyers at Cousin Benny are here to investigate the facts and defend your case. Our skilled truck accident attorneys will attempt to negotiate a settlement for your sustained damages, and if you’re not offered a favorable and acceptable settlement, we’ll bring your case to trial.
At Cousin Benny, our lawyers treat you like family. You’re much more than another case to us, you’re someone who deserves justice for the harm they suffered because of the recklessness of another party. We also don’t charge any fees until you win, because you only deserve to pay for legal counsel that works.
Contact the lawyers at Cousin Benny today for a free consultation on your truck accident case. We’re prepared to make your case as strong as possible so you can get the justice you deserve.
Steps to Take After a Semi-Truck Accident
There are several steps you should take after a semi-truck accident to ensure your health, safety, and the strength of your injury claim. After ensuring the physical health of everyone in your vehicle, the first step is to call the police. The police will be able to clear traffic around the accident scene, call paramedics to attend to your injuries, and help keep order. If you are physically able, the next step is to gather evidence of the scene, including exchanging insurance information with the truck driver, getting the name and contact information of the driver’s employer, as well as taking photos or videos of the accident scene, including anything that may have caused the crash, such as a blown tire or adverse road conditions.
Once the scene has been secured by the authorities, your next step is to seek medical attention immediately. Keep any medical records of your diagnosis and treatment and discharge papers the medical facility gives you before you leave. Medical records will be important in proving you sustained damages (i.e., injuries) as a result of the truck crash and provide useful evidence for calculating the compensation for your injury claim.
After you’ve taken care of yourself and documented the scene of the accident, call a personal injury lawyer with experience in truck accident cases. Don’t sign a settlement from the insurance company right away. They may low-ball you, or the settlement may not account for everything you’re owed. Instead, let your truck accident lawyer negotiate on your behalf so you can receive the full compensation you deserve. The personal injury lawyers at Cousin Benny have over 15 years of experience dealing with commercial truck accident injury cases in Philadelphia. We are dedicated to helping victims of truck accidents recover maximum compensation for their injuries.
Ways Our Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help With Your Injury Case
At Cousin Benny, our truck accident lawyers take the stress and burden of dealing with the accident off of your shoulders. We can help you with your truck accident injury claim in a number of ways, including:
- Investigating your claim
- Calling expert witnesses
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Arguing on your behalf in court
- Coordinating and validating evidence
- Corresponding with the judge and opposing legal counsel
The circumstances of your accident are unique, but that’s where our experience as truck accident lawyers comes into play. To learn more about how our firm can assist you in your case, contact us today for a free consultation.
Pennsylvania Truck Accident FAQs
What is the Average Settlement of a Truck Accident Case?
Every Philadelphia truck accident is different, and the average settlement for a commercial truck accident injury case varies depending on the amount of damage you sustained. If you have life-altering injuries, for example, you’ll be considered for more compensation than someone who only gets a cut or a bruise.
The truck accident attorneys at Cousin Benny have a proven track record of securing top dollar for victims of commercial vehicle accidents. Contact us to find out what your case could be worth.
How Do You File a Claim for a Commercial Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?
The easiest, fastest way to file a claim for a truck accident is to call an attorney experienced in truck accident injury law. The Philadelphia truck accident attorneys at Cousin Benny will assess and investigate your claim, provide you with the necessary guidance to begin seeking your settlement, and help assist you through every step of the way, so there’s never a misstep or mistake that delays your compensation.
We’ll assess and investigate your claim, provide you with the necessary guidance to begin seeking your settlement, and help assist you through every step of the way, so there’s never a misstep or mistake. Contact us today to see how we can help!
How Long Do You Have to Sue Someone After a Truck Accident?
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit due to a commercial trucking accident is two years. If you wait longer than that, you will not be able to seek compensation for damages suffered. At Cousin Benny, we advise our clients to file a truck accident lawsuit as early as possible, however, to ensure valuable evidence is preserved and eyewitness accounts remain fresh.
How is Fault Determined in a Truck Accident?
Fault in a truck accident is determined by evidence of whomever caused or contributed to the accident. Negligence is determined using a combination of factors, including the police report, eyewitness accounts, and whether any traffic violations were committed. Other factors like weather and road conditions can play a part in determining negligence in a truck accident as well.
Who Is Liable in a Truck Accident: the Driver or the Trucking Company?
It depends. Truck accidents are much more complex than a fender bender between two commuter vehicles. A tractor-trailer truck normally has multiple parties involved in its maintenance, care, and management, while a personal vehicle has just one owner and user, typically.
Assigning liability for commercial truck accidents can be tricky. If the truck driver performed any activities outside the scope of their duties–like drinking and driving–they may be liable for the accident if found negligent. However, if the driver maintained their actions within the scope of their duties, it’s the trucking company that may be on the hook for negligence.
Trucking companies can be negligent in a number of ways, including poor job training, failure to perform background checks, poor enforcement of policies, irresponsible hires, and more. This is where the experience of our truck accident attorneys can help you determine if the trucking company, driver, or both are liable for the accident that caused you harm.
What Other Parties Can Be Held Liable in a Truck Accident?
Depending on the facts surrounding the commercial truck collision, other parties such as a parts manufacturer or maintenance company could also be liable. This is because some trucking accidents are caused by substandard components, such as defective brakes or tires. Additionally, assuming a trucking company utilizes a contractor to perform maintenance, if a truck suffered a mechanical failure due to negligent maintenance, then the maintenance contractor could also face legal exposure.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Attorney in Philadelphia?
The truck accident lawyers at Cousin Benny work on contingency, meaning we only charge you once we reach a settlement or obtain a money judgment for you. In other words, you only pay your lawyer if you get paid from your case.
Total costs for a truck accident lawsuit can vary depending on the length of the case and the services provided by your attorney. Schedule a free consultation with our lawyers today to see if you have a truck accident case and what it could be worth.