Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, requiring extreme caution to keep everyone safe on Philadelphia roads. When something goes wrong with their operation, the results can be catastrophic for anyone in their path.
If you suffered serious injuries in a Philadelphia commercial truck wreck, you need a legal team that knows how to handle these complex cases and fight for the recovery you deserve. Contact The Levin Firm today for a free consultation with an experienced Philadelphia tractor-trailer accident lawyer to get started.
Why Choose The Levin Firm After a Tractor-Trailer Accident in Philadelphia?
Tractor-trailer accident cases are fundamentally different from standard car accident claims. They often involve complex federal regulations, multiple potentially liable parties, and commercial insurance carriers with aggressive defense teams.
At The Levin Firm, we have been representing injured victims in Philadelphia and throughout Eastern Pennsylvania for over 20 years. We have the resources and experience these cases demand, supported by a track record of several multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts, including a $2.5 million settlement for a client hit head-on by a tractor-trailer.*
Truck accident evidence can also disappear quickly, so swift action in the immediate aftermath of the collision is essential. When you come to our firm for help, you’ll speak directly with an experienced Philadelphia truck accident attorney, not a paralegal or a call center rep. That attorney will also be the one to handle your case from start to finish and remain available to you every step of the way.
You can count on us to devote the time and attention your case demands from day one.
As one satisfied client described their experience working with us:
“The team helped me after an accident and made the whole process easy and stress-free! They were always prompt to respond to any questions or concerns I had and provided great service. Gabe was great and took care of anything and everything. Thankful for everything the Levin Firm has done for me!” – Cheeto Z.
After a devastating truck accident in Philadelphia, you shouldn’t have to face the legal process alone. Let our experienced attorneys handle your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents
In one recent year, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reported nearly 7,000 traffic collisions involving heavy trucks in the state. Most of those crashes occurred on state highways, such as I-95, the Schuylkill Expressway, and the Pennsylvania Turnpike, where even a slight error can have severe consequences.
Some of the most frequent causes of these wrecks that our Philadelphia tractor-trailer accident lawyers see include:
- Driver fatigue – Federal limits on driving hours exist because drowsy driving poses a serious risk, but not all trucking companies enforce these limits properly.
- Distracted driving – A truck driver who takes their attention away from the road for even a few seconds can cause a catastrophic collision.
- Improper loading – Overloaded or unbalanced cargo can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control and crash.
- Vehicle defects – Brake failures and tire blowouts resulting from poor maintenance or manufacturing defects are common contributors to serious truck accidents.
- Speeding – Trucks require significantly more stopping distance than passenger vehicles, so excessive speed is especially dangerous for truckers.
- Impaired driving – Alcohol and drug use, including certain prescription medications, can dangerously impair a driver’s reaction time and judgment.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Tractor-Trailer Accidents
The massive size and weight of commercial trucks mean that collisions involving these vehicles often cause severe, life-altering harm. Truck accident victims commonly suffer injuries like:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Bone fractures and dislocations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Traumatic amputations
- Severe burns
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other psychological injuries
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Accident?
One of the most complex aspects of any truck accident claim in Pennsylvania is identifying all responsible parties. Because so many parties are involved in commercial freight operations, liability in truck accident cases often extends beyond the negligent truck driver.
Liable parties in these cases can also include:
- Trucking companies that hire commercial drivers can face vicarious liability for their employees’ actions in certain cases. Carriers can also be directly liable for negligent hiring practices, inadequate training, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules.
- Cargo loading companies that fail to properly secure or balance the truck’s freight may share liability for a crash caused by shifting cargo or spillage.
- Truck or parts manufacturers may be liable if a defective part, such as a faulty set of brakes or a poor-quality steering system, contributed to the accident.
- Maintenance providers, such as a third-party truck repair or maintenance company, may also bear responsibility if they allow the truck to leave their shop with known safety issues.
When you work with The Levin Firm, our experienced truck accident lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and pursue the full compensation you’re owed from every possible source.
Federal Trucking Regulations That May Impact Your Case
Some truck accident claims don’t just involve state or local laws. The interstate trucking industry operates under a strict set of federal rules enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). If a truck driver or trucking company violates any of these regulations, proof of that violation can be powerful evidence in a truck accident claim.
Key trucking regulations that may be relevant to your case include:
- Hours-of-service limits – The FMCSA caps the number of hours a tractor-trailer driver can operate their vehicle in a given day or week to reduce fatigue-related crashes.
- Electronic logging device (ELD) requirements – Most carriers must use ELDs to track driving time, which can create useful records that may reveal evidence of negligence.
- Drug and alcohol testing – Commercial drivers must submit to regular drug and alcohol tests, including pre-employment, random, and post-accident testing.
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance standards – Trucking companies must perform regular maintenance and safety inspections with detailed records.
Our commercial truck accident lawyers in Philadelphia can search for proof of FMCSA violations to help develop a compelling case on your behalf.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Tractor-Trailer Accident?
Your financial recovery after a Philadelphia truck accident will vary based on several factors, such as available insurance coverage, the severity of your injuries, and the extent of your losses. Depending on the facts of your case, that compensation may include:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Reduced earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Property damage costs and out-of-pocket expenses
Our tractor-trailer accident lawyers in Philadelphia can help calculate the value of your losses and pursue the full compensation you are owed by law.
How Long Do You Have to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit?
Pennsylvania law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file most personal injury claims, though some cases are subject to even shorter deadlines. If you miss a legal filing window, you’ll likely lose the right to pursue compensation in court.
Even without these strict deadlines, tractor-trailer accident cases require you to act quickly. Critical evidence, such as black box data and surveillance footage, can easily be lost or destroyed if you wait too long. Contacting a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer at The Levin Firm as soon as possible can help you preserve your right to demand a fair recovery.
Why Insurance Companies Fight Truck Accident Claims
Commercial trucking carriers typically carry large insurance policies, and their insurers work hard to minimize potentially massive claims arising from truck accidents. After a serious crash, the insurance company will launch its own investigation, often before you’ve had a chance to retain a lawyer. Their adjusters are trained to gather information they can use to dispute your claim or reduce your payout.
Common insurer tactics in these cases include:
- Disputing the severity of your injuries
- Insisting that you share fault for the accident
- Pressuring you to accept a fast settlement before you know the full extent of your losses
The Levin Firm knows these tactics well and can step in immediately to level the playing field so you don’t settle for less than your case is worth.
What to Do After a Tractor-Trailer Accident in Philadelphia
The steps you take in the hours and days after a commercial vehicle accident can significantly affect the strength of your claim. If you’re able to do so safely, you should:
- Seek medical attention right away, so a doctor can treat and document your condition.
- Take photos and videos of the vehicles, road conditions, skid marks, cargo, and any visible injuries.
- Gather information, including the truck driver’s license details, insurance information, and the carrier’s name and USDOT number.
- Don’t give a recorded statement to any insurance company before speaking with an attorney.
- Contact a lawyer as soon as possible so they can begin preserving evidence and protecting your rights.
Why Experience Matters in Tractor-Trailer Accident Cases
Philadelphia truck accident cases involve layers of evidence, liability, and other complex legal factors that don’t apply to the typical car accident claim. Commercial truck wrecks also tend to result in severe injuries that require long and expensive recovery periods, so these cases are high stakes on every level. An attorney without specific experience handling commercial tractor-trailer accident cases can easily overlook critical evidence, fail to recognize liable parties, or undervalue your claim.
Our Philadelphia truck accident law firm has handled these cases for over 20 years, with a history of many successful injury claims in state and federal courts. We know what to look for, who to hold accountable, and how to prepare strong truck accident cases seeking maximum results.
How The Levin Firm Can Help After a Philadelphia Tractor-Trailer Accident
The Levin Firm is here to handle every aspect of your tractor-trailer accident claim in Pennsylvania so you can focus on healing. From the initial investigation to negotiating with insurers or even preparing your case for trial, our Philadelphia semi-truck accident lawyers will fight tirelessly for the full compensation you deserve.
Contact us now for your free consultation to learn more.
*Each case is unique, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes.