Every day, thousands of commercial trucks and tractor-trailers transport massive quantities of goods and materials across Pennsylvania. The average commercial truck weighs multiples of the largest commuter car. Any accident involving a big truck will have severe consequences.
If you were injured in a wreck with a tractor-trailer, our team of skilled personal injury lawyers at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can help you obtain compensation for your losses. Founding Partner Jon Ostroff and Managing Partner Rich Godshall have won multiple million-dollar truck accident cases.
In one case, we represented a client who ran out of gas on a major PA interstate, blocking the right lane of traffic. Soon after he stopped, an approaching truck driver rear-ended our client’s small car at full speed, causing an explosive crash. Within days of being hired, Jon won an emergency motion he filed in court, to stop the trucking company from destroying evidence. This type of aggressive handling led to a $10 million for our client. This settlement was reached only about a year of this crash.
In another truck crash case, Jon represented multiple victims of this crash and was able to obtain verdicts and settlements exceeding $21 million.
If you were harmed because a trucking company or one of their employees acted negligently, you have a better chance of recovering fair compensation for your injuries with a Norristown truck accident lawyer from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers. We can handle all the complex legal aspects of your case, while you focus on your medical treatment.
Possible Liable Parties in a Truck Crash Claim in Norristown
Determining who should bear liability for the consequences of a truck accident can be a lot more complicated than in a typical car accident case. While truck drivers can be negligent for ignoring the rules of the road or driving while distracted, they are often not the only party you can sue. They may not even be the best person to file a case against, as truckers don’t always have enough insurance coverage or personal financial resources to cover the severe consequences of a wreck.
When Jon Ostroff obtained the above-mentioned $21m+ in recoveries, the truck involved in the crash only had coverage of $750,000. Jon was able to prove neglect by multiple other parties in order to obtain a full recovery of all settlements and verdicts in this case, which exceeded $21 million.
Negligent Trucking Companies
The legal doctrine of respondeat superior allows you to hold trucking companies vicariously liable for the negligent actions of their employees. Alternatively, trucking companies can be directly and primarily liable for truck accidents. For example, an employer may force their driver to exceed federal driving time restrictions for the sake of company profit, leading to a fatigued driver accident.
Liable Third Parties
In some cases, liability may lie with a third party, like a careless mechanic who did not replace a faulty truck component or a customer that did not secure truck cargo before transit. Our Norristown attorneys can help with examining your case and guiding you towards the ideal course of action after your truck accident.
Can Truck Wreck Victims Bear Fault for Their Own Injuries?
The occupants of commuter cars involved in truck wrecks generally suffer more severe injuries than the truck driver. However, that does not mean you are immune from liability after a collision with a tractor-trailer. The other party may argue that you were partially at fault for the accident.
If a jury determines that you are partly responsible for your truck crash, this can reduce your available compensation by your percentage of fault. According to 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes §7102, if you are more to blame for your injuries than all defendants in your claim, you cannot recover any compensation at all. A tractor-trailer collision lawyer in Norristown at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers will help you oppose allegations of partial fault.
Learn More by Talking to a Norristown Truck Accident Attorney
To hold a truck driver or company liable for your damages, you need substantial knowledge of personal injury law and extensive evidence of fault that you can present in court.
A Norristown truck accident lawyer from Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers will work hard to obtain compensation on your behalf. Call us today to schedule a free consultation and learn more about what we can do for you. We will help you.
