Philadelphia Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer
Were you or someone you love seriously hurt in a collision with a commercial truck in Philadelphia? If so, you’re likely dealing with painful injuries, skyrocketing medical bills, and an insurance system that isn’t designed to work in your favor. Truck accident claims are complicated, and trucking companies and their insurers move quickly to protect their own interests.
At The Levin Firm, we move just as quickly to protect you. When you come to us for help, a semi-truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia will meet with you personally, evaluate your case carefully, and fight tirelessly to seek maximum compensation for your legal claim. Contact us today to arrange a free consultation and find out what your case may be worth.
Why Choose The Levin Firm for Your Truck Accident Claim?
At The Levin Firm, we believe that every client deserves direct, personal attention from the attorney handling their case. From your first free consultation with us through the final resolution of your truck accident claim, you’ll work with the same attorney. Your lawyer will work with you to learn the details of your situation and fight for the full compensation you deserve for your losses.
Our approach includes the resources and experience needed to handle complex truck accident cases. Having a dedicated legal team and strong legal representation is essential to conduct a thorough legal investigation, including reviewing the commercial driver’s background, safety records, and accident circumstances. We also collaborate with accident reconstructionists and industry experts, as appropriate, to build strong cases and counter the trucking company’s defenses.
Commercial truck accident claims in Philadelphia are highly complex, but our team has a track record of multi-million-dollar payouts that proves we can handle them. We also work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe us nothing unless we win. If you’re looking for a truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia who will fight hard and keep you in the loop every step of the way, look no further.
Common Causes of Commercial Truck Accidents in Philadelphia
One of the first things we look at when we take on your case is what caused the truck accident that injured you. In most cases, someone’s wrongful actions or inaction played a role. Some of the most common causes we see in the Philadelphia truck accident cases we handle include driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations, unreasonable delivery schedules, distracted driving, and speeding or aggressive driving.
We also frequently see accidents caused by improperly loaded, overloaded, or unsecured cargo, inadequate driver training, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Other significant factors include defective truck parts or equipment failures, poor vehicle maintenance, unsafe lane changes or merging, tailgating or following too closely, and failure to adjust to adverse road conditions.
Who Is Liable in a Commercial Truck Accident Case?
One of the things that makes truck accident cases so much more complex than typical car accident claims is that liability can extend to one or several parties besides the driver. Depending on the specifics of your case, any of the following parties could bear responsibility for your injuries:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company that employed the driver
- The cargo loading or shipping company
- The truck’s owner, if different from the driver or trucking company
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
- A maintenance or repair contractor
- A third-party logistics company
- Another motorist whose negligence contributed to the crash
- A government entity responsible for unsafe road conditions
Determining liability in truck accidents often requires a thorough legal investigation, including a review of compliance with federal and Pennsylvania law, hours-of-service rules, and vehicle maintenance records. This legal investigation may also examine the truck driver’s background, violations, inspections, and training records to strengthen your claim.
Under Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence law, you can recover damages if you are less than 51% at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Common Injuries in Philadelphia Commercial Truck Accidents
A fully-loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. When that kind of mass collides with a standard passenger vehicle, the consequences can be devastating. Some of the most common serious injuries our 18-wheeler accident lawyers in Philadelphia see include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Severe burns
- Lacerations and scarring
- Crush injuries and traumatic amputations
- Chest and rib injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Other psychological injuries
- Wrongful death
What Financial Compensation Can You Recover After a Commercial Truck Accident?
Under Pennsylvania’s insurance rules, your personal injury protection (PIP) coverage should handle your initial medical bills after a truck accident, regardless of fault. However, if you suffered severe injuries, PIP coverage may not be enough. If you carry full tort coverage, or if your injuries meet Pennsylvania’s serious injury threshold, you could have grounds to file a claim against the at-fault party for a broader range of losses, including:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
What to Do After a Commercial Truck Accident in Philadelphia
The period right after a truck accident is critical, both for your recovery and for your compensation claim. If you’re able to, take the following steps as soon as possible:
- See a doctor right away, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt. A physician can identify any hidden injuries you might have and provide documentation that will be key to your personal injury claim.
- If you’re well enough to do so, gather as much evidence as possible from the accident scene, including photos, videos, and witness contact information.
- Avoid giving recorded statements to any insurance adjuster before you speak with an attorney. Avoid posting about the accident or your injuries on social media, too.
- Keep records of all medical bills, repair estimates, and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. If you miss work during your recovery, keep track of any income losses as well.
- Contact a Philadelphia truck accident attorney for legal guidance as soon as possible.
How The Levin Firm Handles Truck Accident Cases
Truck accident cases require swift action, thorough investigations, and relentless advocacy. When you come to The Levin Firm after a commercial truck accident, we get to work right away on all three. Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- Investigating the accident scene and collecting physical evidence before it’s lost or destroyed
- Obtaining the truck driver’s logbooks, inspection records, and employment history
- Securing black box data from the truck to reconstruct what happened
- Identifying all liable parties and every potential source of compensation
- Retaining accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to support your claim
- Calculating the full value of your losses so we can demand every dollar you are owed
- Handling all communications and negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf
- Taking your case to trial if the other side refuses to agree to a fair settlement
- Keeping you informed and staying accessible throughout every stage of your case
Speak With a Philadelphia Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Today
A serious truck accident can change everything. After such an event, it’s crucial to seek legal representation from a dedicated legal team experienced in commercial truck accident cases. Our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys handle every aspect of your claim personally, and we don’t collect any attorney fees unless we win your case. Contact us today to arrange your free consultation with a lawyer who will fight for the full compensation you deserve.
Gabriel Levin – Owner/Founder
With over 20 years of legal experience and a track record of achieving multimillion-dollar personal injury settlements, Gabriel is a well-respected advocate known for his zealous representation in the courtroom. Having successfully tried hundreds of cases, he founded The Levin Firm to protect the rights of those injured in car accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, and slip-and-fall incidents.
Licensed: Pennsylvania State Courts, New Jersey State Courts, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, All Federal Courts in New Jersey
Education: J.D., Temple University School of Law; B.A., Franklin and Marshall College
Awards: Named to Super Lawyers: 2010 – 2026; Two-time Association of Trial Lawyers of America Regional Champion; ATLA National Champion.
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