Truck Accident Lawyer In Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania
Peter J. Pietrandrea Law Office in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, is here to help you with your truck accident claim every step of the way. If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law. Truck accident claims can often be more complicated than car accident claims because the truck company and its insurers may also be responsible for paying your damages. The truck industry makes billions a year and companies are required to properly insure their trucks, vet their drivers and abide by strict federal trucking laws. Truck companies and drivers are governed by trucking laws that don’t apply to passenger vehicles. This can further complicate a truck accident claim. Finally, because of the sheer weight these vehicles carry, truck accidents can often involve more serious and disabling injuries.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you may have many questions. You might be wondering what your truck accident claim might be worth in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania. You might be wondering what your next steps should be. You might even be wondering whether you have a case. My law firm in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, may be able to help you.
Why Truck Accident Claims In Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania Are Unique
Why are truck accident claims different from passenger vehicle claims? Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that trucks are commercial vehicles and are governed by laws related to commercial vehicles. But other factors can also make these cases more complex, including serious injuries stemming from these accidents. Let’s take a look at some of the laws that govern the trucking industry and how these laws could potentially impact a truck personal injury case:
- Violation of Federal Hours of Service laws. Truck drivers are required to abide by federal hours of service laws that govern how long a truck driver can be behind the wheel. Sometimes drivers keep going, though. When this happens they can be tired or fatigued. Fatigued or sleepy driving can sometimes be just as dangerous as drunk driving. If you or someone you love was hurt because a truck driver was fatigued, you and your family may be able to make a truck accident claim under the law.
- Overloaded trucks. Trucks must abide by loading requirements. An improperly loaded truck may not be able to stop as designed and can even tip over. If you were involved in a rollover truck accident, or in an accident where a truck failed to stop in time, my firm in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania who may be able to help you.
- Failure to maintain trucks. Trucks are complex machines. If brakes or tires are not in working order, catastrophic failures can take place. When truck companies fail to perform regular maintenance or when they cut corners in maintenance, accidents can happen. If you were hurt in a truck accident because a truck company failed to perform proper maintenance, you may be able to seek damages for your medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
- Medical clearances for drivers. Drivers must pass medical exams in order to have proper licensure. There are certain medical conditions and certain medications that a truck driver cannot have or be taking and operating a commercial vehicle. Because medical exams occur periodically, it is possible that truck drivers may develop conditions without their company’s knowledge. Worse, sometimes drivers take medications or drugs that can influence their driving behind the wheel.
These are just some of the laws that truck companies must follow. There are many possible ways that a truck company, driver, shipper or maintenance company may also have liability following a truck accident. The Peter J. Pietrandrea Law Office in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, can review your truck accident claim and help you understand your rights. If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash, you may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim. My firm is here to offer you a free, initial consultation during which we can review your case, and help you understand the next steps. I only get paid if you win. Reach out today to learn more about your rights following a truck accident.