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Trucking Accident

Truck Accidents Cause Devestating Injuries and Death

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HoeyLegal - PENNSYLVANIA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYERS

HoeyLegal – helping those injured in truck accidents in Pittsburgh, West Chester, Lancaster, Carlisle, Harrisburg, York, Delaware County, Scranton, Philadelphia, Allentown, Hazelton, Wilkes Barre and throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (FMCSA)

5-YEAR TRUCK ACCIDENT DATA

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a recent 5-year truck accident analysis revealed that large trucks in the United States were involved in the following:

160,646 FATAL CRASHES/ACCIDENTS INVOLVING DEATH
3,900 INJURY CRASHES/CATASTROPHIC INJURY CRASHES
1,144,000 PROPERTY DAMAGE CRASHES
If you have been injured in a collision with a large commercial truck, tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, or if you have lost a family member in a truck accident crash, you must retain an experienced Truck Accident Attorney to represent you in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyers at HoeyLegal are ready to provide you immediate help.

Please contact HoeyLegal today and schedule your free and comprehensive consultation. We are prepared to travel to meet you at your location to make your consultation as seamless and convenient as possible should you have sustained injuries which prevent you from travelling.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) revealed that nearly 150,000 vehicle collisions occur annually in Pennsylvania. Because many of these accidents involve commercial vehicles, semi-trucks and tractor-trailers the consequences of theses accidents are deadly and leave motorists severely and catastrophically injured.

WHY SELECT HoeyLegal AS MY TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER?

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At HoeyLegal, our attorneys have extensive trial experience. Indeed, we are trial lawyers prepared to go to trial for each of our clients in each of the cases we accept to prosecute on their behalf. We have decades of trial experience and a second to none investigative team which includes former FBI investigators, accident reconstruction experts, mechanics, data resource evaluators and a litigation team prepared to litigate every aspect of your case in courtrooms throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

In the event that you or a family member has been involved in a serious truck accident which caused death or serious permanent injury, contact the attorneys at HoeyLegal for your free consultation. We are prepared to deploy our experts on your behalf. Because time is of the essence, it is important that you contact us at once.

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Immediate 5 Point Accident Litigation Plan

At HoeyLegal, we recognize that trucking companies, cargo companies, delivery companies and commercial vehicle companies will immediately deploy a team of investigators and attorneys to the accident site shortly after the accident occurs. In fact, most commercial trucking companies have “disaster teams” on call so they can immediately investigate the cause of the truck accident which involved you and your vehicle.

Oftentimes, these trucking company investigations will lead to the removal of evidence, removal of vehicles, removal of vehicle data and/or important evidence from the accident scene which may be permanently lost, causing a great disadvantage to the injured or the deceased victim of the truck accident. At HoeyLegal, our truck accident investigative team is prepared to conduct, with immediacy, the exact type of accident investigation which will preserve the evidence you will be required to produce at trial to prove driver/company negligence and recklessness. When you retain HoeyLegal, you retain our team of expert accident investigators, photographers and witness investigators that will be promptly deployed to the accident site to conduct the following 5 point truck accident investigation:

INTERVIEW ALL WITNESS
ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION
LOCATE, EXAMINE AND INSPECT THE TRACTOR-TRAILER
IDENTIFY ALL AT-FAULT DEFENDANTS
OBTAIN NECESSARY COURT ORDERS TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE

Why Tractor-Trailor Accidents Occur

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According to Department of Transportation statistics, there are nearly 300,000 open positions in the trucking industry which have yet to be filled. Accordingly, trucking companies are often utilizing drivers who operate tractor-trailers suffering from fatigue and sleep deprivation. Due to their size and weight, tractor-trailer accidents can cause serious and permanent injury and death. At HoeyLegal, we have found the following factors contribute to tractor-trailer/commercial vehicle accidents involving our clients:

  • Driver Fatigue
  • Driver Error
  • Speeding
  • Driving Under the Influence
  • Improperly-Weighted Loads
  • Unsecured Loads
  • Defective Equipment/Mechanical Failure
  • Poorly Trained Drivers
  • Drivers Exceeding FMCSA Approved Hours of Operation
  • Insufficient Vehicle Inspection
  • Mechanical Error
  • Insufficient Maintenance
  • Unqualified Drivers
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HoeyLegal EXPERT TRIAL WITNESSES

At HoeyLegal, our attorneys have forged excellent relationships with the finest accident investigators, engineers, human factor experts and trucking industry experts. Each of the experts we retain have excellent reputations within the trucking industry and accident reconstruction circles. These expert witnesses will promptly retrieve the data collected at the accident scene from cellular telephones and motor vehicle data recorders in an effort to gather the evidence required for a successful trial. In addition to our trucking industry experts, HoeyLegal employs a physician who will analyze your medical records and necessary future medical expenses, lifecare plans and fully and completely define and establish your injuries so that a jury listening to your case will effectively compensate you for your entire loss. Our economists will quantify your past/future lost wage figures, so you will be fully compensated for any past and future lost employment/wage opportunities. At HoeyLegal, we offer you a comprehensive team of experts and investigators who will clearly and unequivocally define your physical and monetary losses at trial.

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HOW IS HoeyLegal COMPENSATED?

At HoeyLegal, our truck accident fees are charged on a contingency basis. HoeyLegal is only paid in the event your case reaches a settlement or a favorable verdict. In other words, you pay HoeyLegal nothing unless and until we recover on your behalf. Our consultation is free and comprehensive. Please contact HoeyLegal at once, should you have been involved in a truck accident in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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A trucking accident typically involves a collision or incident involving a commercial truck, such as a semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or big rig, resulting in property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were over 4,000 fatal crashes involving large trucks and buses in the United States in 2019. Non-fatal accidents are even more prevalent, with tens of thousands occurring each year.
Common causes of trucking accidents include driver fatigue, speeding, distracted driving, improper loading of cargo securement, equipment failure, weather conditions, and driver error.
If you are involved in a trucking accident, prioritize your safety and the safety of others involved. Call emergency services if necessary, exchange information with the other parties, document the scene, and seek medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries. It is also crucial to contact law enforcement and notify your insurance company.
The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury or property damage claim after a trucking accident varies by state but is typically between one to three years from the date of the accident. It is important to consult with a HoeyLegal lawyer as soon as possible to ensure you meet any applicable deadlines.

Liability in a trucking accident can extend beyond just the truck driver to include the trucking company, cargo loaders, truck manufacturers, and maintenance contractors, depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Hiring a lawyer after a trucking accident can be beneficial, as these cases can be complex and involve multiple parties. A lawyer can help protect your rights, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue fair compensation for your injuries and damages.
Depending on the circumstances of the accident and the extent of your injuries, you may be entitled to financial compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering damages, property damage, and, in cases of severe negligence, punitive damages.
Fault in a trucking accident is determined based on various factors, including witness testimony, police reports, accident reconstruction analysis, driver logs, and electronic data from the truck’s onboard systems, such as GPS and black box data.

Yes, trucking companies can be held liable for accidents involving their vehicles and drivers, particularly if the accident was caused by negligence on the part of the company, such as inadequate training, improper maintenance, or violations of safety regulations.

A trucking accident attorney is a personal injury lawyer who specializes in handling cases involving accidents with commercial trucks, tractor-trailers, semis, and other large vehicles. These attorneys have extensive knowledge of federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry and understand the complexities of these types of cases.
Trucking accident cases often involve unique challenges, such as determining liability among multiple parties, navigating complex insurance policies, and analyzing federal and state trucking regulations. A lawyer who specializes in trucking accidents will have the experience and expertise needed to effectively handle these complexities and maximize your compensation.
Trucking accident lawyers have specialized knowledge and experience specific to cases involving commercial vehicles. They understand the intricacies of trucking regulations, industry standards, and the tactics used by trucking companies and their insurers. This expertise allows them to build stronger cases and advocate more effectively for their clients.

Trucking accident lawyers conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances of the accident, including reviewing police reports, interviewing witnesses, obtaining and analyzing electronic data from the truck’s black box, inspecting the accident scene, and examining the truck’s maintenance and inspection records. 

Trucking accident lawyers work to determine liability by examining various factors, such as driver negligence, trucking company policies and practices, vehicle maintenance records, cargo loading procedures, and any violations of federal or state regulations. They may also consult with accident reconstruction experts to help establish fault.
Yes, a trucking accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other losses resulting from the accident. They will negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, file a lawsuit on your behalf to seek fair compensation.
Trucking accident lawyers are experienced in handling cases involving catastrophic injuries or fatalities. They understand the significant physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents can have on victims and their families and work diligently to pursue maximum compensation to cover medical expenses, ongoing care, lost income, and other damages.

Yes, HoeyLegal’s trucking accident lawyers can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim on behalf of your loved one. They can help you navigate the legal process, pursue compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income, loss of companionship, and other damages, and hold the responsible parties accountable for their actions.

How can we help you?

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At HoeyLegal, we have dedicated our careers to fighting for our clients. If you have been injured in an accident or charged with a crime, you need a lawyer who will work tirelessly on your behalf.

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INTERVIEW ALL WITNESS

Our investigators will promptly interview and record all witnesses that observed the accident and collect all biographical information from the witnesses so they will available to testify on your behalf at trial.

ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION

Our expert accident investigators include former Pennsylvania State Police accident investigators and nationally recognized engineers who will carefully photograph the accident scene and conduct all necessary measurements of skid marks, yaw marks, displacement of debris and thoroughly examine the accident site to preserve all evidence for the time of trial.

LOCATE, EXAMINE AND INSPECT THE TRACTOR-TRAILER

Our accident investigators include mechanics who will immediately respond to the accident site and the location where the truck has been impounded in order to photograph the truck and conduct necessary mechanical inspections of the vehicle. In the event that a court order is necessary to examine and inspect the trucks, HoeyLegal Attorneys will promptly file the necessary motions to enable the HoeyLegal mechanics and inspectors to conduct a prompt evaluation of the mechanical function of the at-fault tractor-trailer

IDENTIFY ALL AT-FAULT DEFENDANTS

Oftentimes, there are several defendants responsible for the tractor-trailer accident. In most cases, at least two defendants are responsible for the ownership and operation of the tractor-trailer.  There may be additional defendants responsible for the hiring and retention of the tractor-trailer driver.  At HoeyLegal, our investigators will promptly identify the responsible defendants and immediately request the preservation of all evidence related to the hiring and retention of the driver, inspection of the vehicles and the supervision and drug/alcohol testing of the vehicle operator.

OBTAIN NECESSARY COURT ORDERS TO PRESERVE EVIDENCE

At HoeyLegal, we know from our litigation experience that tractor-trailer drivers often operate at least one cellular phone which is in use at, during, or immediately prior to a tractor-trailer accident. Additionally, most tractor-trailers are equipped with data recorders which capture, in real-time, important vehicle operation events including speed, hard braking and other evasive maneuvers taken by the operator and the tractor-trailer.  It is imperative that this evidence be obtained before it is destroyed.  At HoeyLegal, our trial attorneys will obtain any necessary court order to preserve this evidence for trial.

Distracted Driving

Pennsylvania defines distracted driving as “an activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving.” Drivers have to focus on driving, so they can react to the information on the road, such as road conditions, hazards and other drivers. Distracted drivers do not react appropriately and thus put others at risk for severe injury or death. Examples of distractions, besides using cell phones and texting, include drinking, eating, adjusting the radio, adjusting climate controls, adjusting seats, combing hair, putting on make-up, daydreaming, reaching for dropped items, engaging in heavy conversations, and focusing on events outside of the car.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence typically refers to alcohol use, but drug use can also impair drivers and cause severe car accidents.  In either situation, enjoying cocktails at happy hour, celebrating with drugs or alcohol, drinking too much wine for dinner and unwinding after a long week at work results in too many motorists driving under the influence.  Controlled substances impact each person differently, making it common for someone to misjudge his or her level of impairment.  These poor judgments can lead to severe and sometimes fatal car accidents.

Driver Fatigue

Driving without enough sleep is commonplace for many in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and across the nation. Truck drivers, shift workers, and those with sleep disorders are most vulnerable to causing an accident because they are drowsy or fatigued. Not having enough rest slows down reaction time and impairs the senses. In fact, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) claims that eighteen (18) hours without sleep impairs a driver to the same extent as someone who has a 0.08 blood or breath alcohol concentration after consuming alcohol.

Speeding

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that one-third of all car accidents involve speeding. Drivers who rush, run late, or simply lack patience may choose to speed when they get behind the wheel. Speeding makes it more likely that a driver will lose control of his or her vehicle and makes it more difficult to react to road hazards and other vehicles. Speeding also increases the impact of a car accident and makes it far less likely that a negligent driver may maintain control of his vehicle sufficient to prevent a collision. High speed car accidents make it far more likely that those involved will suffer severe injuries or death.
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