Common Legal Questions about Truck Accidents

What should I do If I am in a truck accident? 

• As a general safety precaution, be mindful of tractor trailers when driving. Truck drivers have large blind spots. As a good rule of thumb – if you cannot see their mirror, they cannot see you.  Do not tailgate a tractor trailer. It takes these drivers longer to stop. Likewise, do not cut in front of them unless necessary. You do not want a tractor trailer to slam into your bumper.
• If you drive a truck, do not flee the scene of an accident even if you fear the worst. Fleeing the scene of any accident is a criminal offense. Stop immediately and get to a safe spot so that you can call 911. If you are a motorist on the road, do your best to stay still.
• Doctors recommend that you do not move after a car accident. Wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive at the scene of the truck accident. Head and spinal injuries increase dramatically with larger vehicles. Moving around even though you feel fine could actually injure you further.
• After you ascertain your health and safety, seek legal counsel. Truck accidents involve complicated insurance and potentially multiple vehicles. A truck accident attorney will help you sort out the mess. After seeking legal representation, you should contact your insurance company.
• It is important to note that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. No-fault insurance will cover your expenses first regardless of fault. Your insurance company will likely be in contact with the other driver’s insurance company if there was a secondary motorist involved in the accident. If you are a commercial truck driver, you must report the incident to your trucking company. Failure to report an accident could put your job in jeopardy.

What should I do if I was injured in a truck accident?

In the immediate aftermath of a truck injury you should contact authorities, take photos, and seek medical treatment. Reach out to an experienced personal injury attorney.

Who is liable in a truck accident?

Who will be held liable in an accident with a truck will depend on a variety of circumstances including who was at fault and whether the driver is an independent contractor or an employee of a trucking company.

Can I sue the company of the negligent truck driver?

If a commercial truck driver struck your vehicle, then you can sue the company of the Trucking company.

Can I sue for being hit by a semi truck?

If you were injured by a semi-truck and feel that the driver should be held liable, you would sue the driver of the car who hit you; however, if the truck driver is directly employed by another company and is not an independent contractor, you can sue the employer.

On 95 alone accidents happen every day. From tractor trailers spilling over, to a car pile up in inclement, Philadelphia sees its fair share of accidents on a daily basis. Human error is often the cause of these accidents. When a truck driver makes mistakes, the results are catastrophic. Injuries and fatalities occur more often than with passenger vehicles. The possibility of a multi-car accident is more likely, and truck accidents cost more money to fix. No matter the reason for the truck accident, truck driving can be dangerous. If you drive a truck or a tractor trailer, no one has to tell you that commercial drivers face a danger that automobile drivers do not.

If you find yourself in a truck accident, we are your truck accident lawyers. The dedicated team of legal professionals at Freundlich & Littman, LLC are here to stand by your side. We will fight to make sure that you are whole again.

Increases And Differences With Truck Accidents

Chances are that you have seen signs on trucks that warn you to stay back. This is a warning, not a suggestion. There is a reason why commercial truck drivers need a special Pennsylvania license. A Commercial Driver’s License, or “CDL”, requires special training. CDL holders go through courses just like normal driving students. They too need to pass stringent tests to receive their license.

The main reason for the increased danger and precaution is the size of trucks. A larger vehicle means bigger consequences following an accident. Cars have a protective shell of metal, as do large trucks. When a car flips, the car design protects passengers. When a truck flips, the protective metal cage will take down anything in its path. The truck driver is safe, but their trailer will not keep you safe. It is likely that a truck accident will crush your car.

What does this mean for those involved in truck-related accidents? It likely means higher medical bills and property damage claims.

What should I do first after a truck accident?

As a general safety precaution, be mindful of tractor trailers when driving. Truck drivers have large blind spots. As a good rule of thumb – if you cannot see their mirror, they cannot see you. Do not tailgate a tractor trailer. It takes these drivers longer to stop. Likewise, do not cut in front of them unless necessary. You do not want a tractor trailer to slam into your bumper.

If you drive a truck, do not flee the scene of an accident even if you fear the worst. Fleeing the scene of any accident is a criminal offense. Stop immediately and get to a safe spot so that you can call 911. If you are a motorist on the road, do your best to stay still.

Doctors recommend that you do not move after a car accident. Wait for emergency medical professionals to arrive at the scene of the truck accident. Head and spinal injuries increase dramatically with larger vehicles. Moving around even though you feel fine could actually injure you further.

After you ascertain your health and safety, seek legal counsel. Truck accidents involve complicated insurance and potentially multiple vehicles. A truck accident attorney will help you sort out the mess. After seeking legal representation, you should contact your insurance company.

It is important to note that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state. No-fault insurance will cover your expenses first regardless of fault. Your insurance company will likely be in contact with the other driver’s insurance company if there was a secondary motorist involved in the accident. If you are a commercial truck driver, you must report the incident to your trucking company. Failure to report an accident could put your job in jeopardy.

How do I involve my insurance company after my truck accident?

If a commercial truck driver struck your vehicle, their insurance will be in touch with your insurance company. It may be that your insurance will need to go to bat for you. Likely, the insurance company will only accept payment for the damage done to the vehicle. To obtain money for ongoing medical bills, you will need to have legal representation.

A truck accident lawyer will take up your case for you. They will mount a legal case against the truck driver and their insurance company for your medical bills and any additional cost to fix your personal property. If you need legal advice about a truck accident, contact the legal team at Freundlich & Littman, LLC. We are your greater Philadelphia area truck accident lawyers. If you were in a truck accident, time is of the essence. Do not hesitate to contact our team.

Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.