Holding Truck Drivers and Trucking Companies Accountable for Accidents
Over 26 million tractor trailer trucks take to the road in the United States, logging nearly 400 billion miles of travel each year. Hauling tons of cargo at a time in lengthy, unwieldy 18-wheelers, these drivers need to be at their best at all times to avoid accidents. Unfortunately, drivers can get tired or careless, leading to devastating accidents on the road. At McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, our Philadelphia truck accident lawyers help you get the compensation you deserve after suffering serious injuries or catastrophic vehicle damage in a tractor trailer truck accident.
The Dangers of 18-wheeler Accidents
Tractor trailer trucks, or 18-wheelers, are among the largest vehicles on the road. Traveling down highways at cruising speeds, navigating winding side roads and driving in inclement weather, all while hauling tons of cargo make these vehicles a serious hazard should anything go wrong, such as:
- Blind turns and lane changes. Vehicles caught in one of a truck’s many blind spots can find themselves trapped when a truck makes a sudden turn or lane change, forcing them off the road, into other lanes of traffic or into the truck itself.
- Head-on collision. Drivers that are distracted or driving drowsy may drift into oncoming traffic, leading to catastrophic accidents that can be fatal to drivers of smaller vehicles.
- Loss of control. If a truck driver hits bad road conditions, a sharp turn, or has brake suddenly, they can lose control of their steering and crash into other vehicles, totaling them a severely injuring the passengers inside.
- Rollover accidents. Sudden curves and turns can tip top-heavy trucks over on their sides, crushing nearby vehicles and creating hazardous driving conditions as they spill their cargo onto the road.
Who is At Fault in a Trailer Truck Accident?
Truck accident claims are rarely as simple as passenger vehicle accidents. When two privately owned vehicles collide, the claim is between two drivers. With a trailer truck, there is often a trucking company involved, who may or may not own the truck, but is employing the driver. There may also be a third company who hired the trucking company. That company may or may not own the trailer being hauled. As a result, it can be difficult to know who to file a claim against or to pin down one defendant without them pointing to another.
In most cases, pursuing the trucking company is your best chance at securing compensation, but that also means that they have the resources and incentive to hire a better defense. This is why it is critical to work with an attorney who understands traffic laws and has experience in arguing tractor trailer injury claims. Our experienced Philadelphia injury lawyers carefully examine all the facts and build a strong case to convince the trucking company to settle before your case even needs to go to court.
Trust the Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC to Seek Maximum Compensation for those Injured in an 18-Wheeler Accident
The Philadelphia personal injury lawyers at McCann Dillon Jaffe & Lamb, LLC, LLC are not afraid to take on the trucking company’s insurance and legal defense. We look at all the facts to find the best argument to secure the compensation you deserve for your suffering, medical expenses and financial losses. Our offices are conveniently located across the street from City Hall, a short distance from the train, subway and trolley. Or if you can’t come to us, we’ll come to you. Reach us today at 215-569-8488 or 302-888-1221, or contact us online for a free initial consultation with our skilled Philadelphia truck accident lawyers. We represent injured victims throughout Pennsylvania including the entire Philadelphia region, Chester County, Delaware County and Montgomery County as well as throughout the states of Delaware and New Jersey.