Pennsylvania Truck Accidents: How to Recover Damages

Commercial truck accidents are more likely than car accidents to be horrific, resulting in life-changing injuries or death. Motorcycles or passenger vehicles may not stand a chance against a trucks' size, weight, and destructive capabilities. Therefore, victims often suffer severe physical, emotional, and financial damages.

Fortunately, truck accident injury lawyers Lancaster, PA, have experience in dealing with such cases. They can guide victims with getting the compensation that'll be commensurate with their injuries. Some tips on how to recover damages include:

File a Report Pennsylvania requires victims to complete the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Driver's Accident Report form within five days of the accident, if:

● The police didn't investigate the accident

● The accident caused an injury, severe vehicle damage, or death.

Filing a report as soon as possible can help your chances of recovering damages.

     

Determine Who's liable In truck accident cases, the driver may not always be the liable party. Others that might be responsible include the trucking company, the cargo's owner, vehicle's mechanic, truck manufacturer, and parts supplier.

You'll need to determine the cause of the accident to prove negligence. Common causes of truck accidents include driver fatigue, improper cargo loading, inexperienced driver, faulty truck design, and improper maintenance.

Understand Federal Trucking Laws and Regulations Although personal injury cases are state-governed, truck drivers and their employers must adhere to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. Additionally, Pennsylvania truck drivers and employers must adhere to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) regulations.

These regulations help increase safety and to reduce the number of accidents, and they cover the following:

● The maximum hours the driver may work within a particular time

● The driver's alcohol and drug use history

● Truck driver's driving history

● The maintenance schedule for the trucks

● The level of training the driver received.

A driver's violation of any of these regulations can help you, and your attorney establishes fault. Therefore, before filing a claim, you may want to determine if the driver violated these regulations.

Negotiate With the Insurance Company After gathering relevant information regarding the accident, the next major step is negotiating with the insurance adjuster. However, it's advisable not to go into negotiations without an attorney. The reason is that insurers fight claims aggressively, but Lancaster truck accident attorneys understand their tactics and are skilled negotiators.

File a Lawsuit If negotiations fail, you'll need to file a lawsuit. Pennsylvania's statute of limitations requires accident victims to file lawsuits within two years of the accident. Your attorney can guide through this process, and also prepare you for the deposition and trial.

Conclusion Truck accident cases are more complicated than regular car accident cases. However, hiring truck accident lawyers Lancaster PA, can increase your chances of recovering a fair settlement.