Bethlehem Truck Accident Attorney

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Although the majority of truck drivers are highly skilled, trained professionals who are committed to preventing accidents, they are also still human. Truckers are not immune from making mistakes or acting carelessly on the road. Unfortunately, the consequences of such actions are typically incredibly severe.

In other cases, outside factors can play a critical role in causing or contributing to a collision. Even when truck drivers follow the law and utilize proper caution, they cannot always avoid a crash.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

• Truck driver negligence or misconduct, such as:
  • Distracted driving
  • Drunk/drugged driving
  • Traffic law violations
  • Speeding
  • Unlawful passing
  • Fatigued driving
• Trucking industry regulation violations, such as:
  • Failure to follow hours-of-service laws
  • Overloaded trucks
  • Improperly loaded cargo
  • Failure to conduct proper vehicle maintenance
  • Failure to repair recalled vehicles/parts
• Product defects, such as: 
  • Defective truck design
  • Defective truck parts, such as truck tires, braking systems, etc.
  • Defective road design or construction
• Third-party negligence, such as: 
  • Negligent third-party motorists
  • Negligent truck driver hiring managers
  • Negligent truck driver supervisors

These and other factors can—and do—all contribute to serious and even fatal accidents. When this occurs, our Bethlehem truck accident lawyers can help you fight for justice and work to hold the liable person or party accountable.

Who Is Liable for Your Damages?

Truck accident cases are highly complex for a variety of reasons, including the fact that you may need to file a claim against the actual trucking company. While truck drivers can be held legally liable in some circumstances—such as when they break the law or act with egregious negligence—their employers are often liable for their actions under what is known as the respondent superior rule. This means that even if a truck driver was clearly negligent, you could be entitled to seek recovery from the trucking company, not the truck driver him/herself.

While trucking companies are by far the most commonly liable party in truck accident claims, there are certain other circumstances that could arise in which you would seek compensation from another entity. For example, if the accident was caused by a defective truck tire that blew out on the freeway and caused the driver to lose control of the vehicle, you could be able to file a claim against the manufacturer of the defective tire. If a truck accident was caused by the negligence of another motorist on the road, you may be able to file a claim directly against the at-fault driver’s insurance provider and/or the trucking company.

These are highly complex, nuanced claims; it’s important that you work with an attorney who understands how the system works and who knows how to effectively fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

Why You Need a Truck Accident Attorney

Taking on a large trucking company (or another entity) and its insurance provider is not an easy task. You will be faced with skilled defense teams whose only job is to dispute and deny your claim. But when you are dealing with catastrophic truck accident injuries, you need fair compensation for your damages.

An experienced attorney can evaluate your claim, including the extent of your injuries and other damages. Your legal team will also be able to investigate the accident right away to determine what happened, how the crash could have been avoided, and who is to blame. With an attorney on your side, you can focus on healing while your legal team focuses on securing the full, fair compensation you are owed so that you can move forward with your life.

Contact Knafo Law Offices 24/7

At our Bethlehem office, we accept calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our legal team is ready to answer your questions and provide you with the professional legal counsel you need to make informed decisions about your future. We have been proudly representing injured Pennsylvanians and the families of those wrongfully killed for nearly 40 years. In that time, we have recovered numerous favorable results for our clients, including sizable settlements and jury verdicts.

To learn more, including how we can assist you with your truck accident case, please contact us online or by phone at (610) 756-1098. Your initial consultation is completely free.