Pittsburgh Truck Accident Lawyer
Personal Injury Lawyer Representing Victims of Truck Accidents Throughout Western PA
As a general rule, truck accidents tend to lead to more severe injuries than car accidents, by virtue of the size of the vehicle (in addition to its load). According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), in 2015, there were 3,598 fatal accidents and 83,000 injury-causing accidents involving large trucks. Despite the fact that many large trucks are driven professionally, accidents involving such vehicles occur with stunning frequency.
Truck accidents often involve unique issues that can make them more complex to litigate than the typical motor vehicle accident case. When litigating a truck accident case, for example, you may encounter issues related to professional or specific licensing, road access, company liability, and more. As such, successfully litigating a truck accident claim requires that work with a skilled truck accident attorney who will aggressively pursue all avenues of recovery. To setup, a free consultation with a personal injury attorney, call The Law Office of Mark A. Smith or fill out the online contact form.
Common Truck Accident Causes
When pursuing a claim against a truck driver (and/or their employer, if they are a professional driver and the accident occurred within the course and scope of their employment), you will have to prove that the driver acted negligently, recklessly, or intentionally, thus resulting in your injuries. Over the course of the accident investigation, you may recognize certain negligent behaviors that are common in truck accidents, including:
- Prescription and over-the-counter drug use
- Illegal drug use
- Alcohol intoxication
- Speeding
- Driving while fatigued
- Improper loading of cargo (leading to a tipping hazard)
- Unlicensed driver
- Failure to use turn signals
- Failure to yield
- Inadequate truck maintenance (leading to mechanical issues)
Injuries caused by truck accidents fall on a wide spectrum, but include:
- Brain and spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Burn injuries
- Bone fractures
- Mutilation
- Nerve damage
Employer Liability
In many large truck accident cases, the defendant-driver is a professional and an employee of a larger company. Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to sue the company for their negligence too.
For example, suppose that you are injured by a truck driver who was intoxicated at the time of the accident. Initially, you sue the truck driver, but further investigation reveals that they are a professional driver for a cargo transportation company. You also find the company allowed the defendant-driver to operate the vehicle — without instituting regular supervision or any other safety checks — despite knowing about the driver’s alcoholism and record of intoxicated driving. You could, in such circumstances, ostensibly bring a claim against the company for their negligent hiring and supervision of the driver.
Contact The Law Office of Mark A. Smith Today
Attorney Mark A. Smith has over 23 years of legal experience and has litigated numerous truck accident claims over the course of his career — and though he can boast a history of success, Attorney Smith values open communication with clients and makes a great deal of effort to ensure that his clients and their concerns are treated with utmost respect.
Injured in a truck accident? Call (412) 567-9598 to set up a free consultation today.