Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyers

Over $110 Million Recovered for Injured Individuals & Families

When you or a loved one is involved in a commercial truck accident, it is not at all uncommon to have an enormous amount of questions about what comes next. How can you protect your rights in the aftermath of the accident? How will you pay for your medical bills and lost wages? Who can you call for help and who really has your best interests in mind?

For decades, the Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys at Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC have been helping severely injured victims fight for the justice they deserve, whether it involves a tractor-trailer, dump trucks, tankers, or any other commercial truck.

We know the complexities surrounding these types of accidents, and we know the financial burden you face after such a traumatizing event. With a proven record of success, including hundreds of millions of dollars recovered for our clients, we are ready to fight tirelessly to secure the rightful compensation you need and are owed.

We have offices located in Philadelphia, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre and serve clients throughout the state. At Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, we provide our personal injury services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not owe any attorneys’ fees unless we recover compensation on your behalf.

Contact us online or call the office at (877) 989-4878 to schedule your free initial consultation today.

Tractor-Trailer Accidents Are on the Rise

According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,136 large truck fatalities in 2018. Of those deaths, 67 percent were occupants of cars and other passenger vehicles; 15 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists. That’s a 31 percent increase from 2009.

The majority of these fatal accidents—52%—occurred on major roads other than interstates and freeways, while another 33% occurred on interstates and freeways and 14% occurred on minor roads.

Common Causes of Truck Accidents

The top four causes of tractor-trailer crashes nationwide are:

• Distracted Driving: In 2017, the NHTSA reported that 3,166 fatalities were a result of distraction-affected crashes.
• Truck Driver Fatigue: Driving for long stretches at a time and trying to meet a short deadline can put a strain on anyone, especially someone who is driving an 80,000-pound vehicle. When truck drivers don’t take mandated rest breaks, they can cause accidents as a result of being overly tired or fatigued.
• Speeding/Aggressive Driving: Going too fast, driving recklessly, or suffering from road rage all lead to truck accidents. A driver barreling down the road at 70 mph with a heavy load has a difficult time stopping suddenly if a car pulls out in front of him/her.
• Intoxication: Everyone knows that drinking before getting behind the wheel is dangerous. Not only is it against the law, but it can lead to a major accident. If a drunk driving accident involves a semi-truck carrying tens of thousands of pounds of cargo, these accidents are even more serious.

Who Is to Blame for Your Truck Accident?

Many people don’t realize that when you get into a truck accident, there could be more than one party responsible for your accident. Because truck drivers are “on the clock” while driving, their employers could be potentially liable for accidents their drivers cause. Other entities, such as those who manufacture defective truck parts or those that fail to conduct proper truck maintenance, could also be liable for a crash.

In any given truck accident, any of the following parties (or multiple parties) could be liable:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company
• The truck manufacturer
• The truck maintenance company
• The leaseholder of the truck
• The loading company
• Other motorists, pedestrians, or bicyclists
• A construction company

To make sure the responsible parties are held accountable, our Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys need to conduct a thorough investigation of the accident scene. Once you hire an experienced and certified truck accident lawyer at Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, our investigators will get to work looking into your claim. This often includes taking photographs of the accident scene and/or involved vehicles, collecting evidence, contacting witnesses, and obtaining a copy of the police report, as well as copies of your medical records.

All too often, the trucking company will do anything it can to make sure the blame for the accident rests on your shoulders. But with our attorneys by your side, you will be better equipped to stand up to unjust and deceitful insurance company and trucking company tactics.

What Are My Legal Options in Pennsylvania after a Truck Accident?

Pennsylvania is known as a “choice no-fault” state. What this means is you have the option to choose whether to opt-in (full tort) or out (limited tort) of “no-fault” rules. If you chose limited tort for your car insurance, then you are unable to sue for pain and suffering. It may be a cheaper option, but if you are involved in a serious accident, opting out of no-fault insurance could come back to hurt you.

However, there are exceptions to the rule. You can recover for pain and suffering damages if your injury is considered serious enough, as defined by your auto insurance contract.

In any case, it is in your best interests to hire a truck accident lawyer who knows the latest truck litigation laws and who can help you with your case. As soon as your reach out to Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, our rapid response team is ready to get right to work to protect your rights. We have investigators on staff that can recreate the accident scene in an effort to find who truly is responsible. Remember, the truck companies will be investigating the scene as soon as the accident occurs and will do anything to protect their interests and place the blame on your shoulders. That’s why we work so hard to do everything to protect yours.

Serving Clients in Pennsylvania & Nationwide

The statute of limitations to file a truck accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania is two years. Although that seems like a lengthy amount of time, it can fly by incredibly quickly. Additionally, the sooner you contact our Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys, the sooner we can begin gathering evidence and investigating your case. This helps your chances of securing a better outcome.

When you choose Fellerman & Ciarimboli Law PC, you know your case is in good hands. We have won more than $25 million in truck accident verdicts and settlements alone for clients throughout the nation. We have been nationally recognized for our work in truck accident litigation; just recently, Attorney Ed Ciarimboli was Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy (NBTA) in truck accident law, which is one of the highest, most stringent, and outstanding honors an attorney can achieve.

Take the first step toward securing the justice you deserve today. Contact us online or call (877) 989-4878 to schedule a free consultation.