Philadelphia Truck Accident Attorney

Put Over 80 Years of Legal Experience on Your Side

If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck accident in Eastern or Central Pennsylvania, we encourage you to get in touch with our team at Shrager & Sachs. Our Philadelphia truck accident lawyers have been successful in helping many clients injured in truck accidents on Routes 76, 80, and 81. Founded in 1978, our firm has a reputation for high-quality client service and a commitment to tenacious advocacy. You can rely on our team to represent you with compassion and ability and fight for the financial compensation you deserve!

Why Hire Our Firm?

We Offer Free Consultations
Award-Winning Representation
80+ Years of Combined Experience
No Fee Unless We Win Your Case

Call For a FREE Consultation: (888) 899-0652

Leading Causes of Truck Accidents

According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the U.S. has seen a 20 percent increase in trucking accidents over the past two decades. With half a million accidents occurring each year on our roadways, tens of thousands of people are injured, and roughly 5,000 people lose their lives annually in preventable crashes. Tragically, 98 percent of truck accident fatalities are drivers of passenger vehicles.

While there is an endless number of factors that could lead to an accident, most accident causes typically fall under the following five categories:

Driver error. The FMCSA has determined that driver error is ten times more likely to be the cause of an accident than any other factor. Driver error is based in negligence and can include factors such as distracted driving, driver fatigue, or driving under the influence or alcohol or drugs (illicit, prescription, and over-the-counter). Aggressive or otherwise inattentive driving, including speeding, recklessly changing lanes, or taking unnecessary risks is another form of driver error that increases the likelihood of a collision.
Improper loading. In order to keep a truck balanced, all cargo must be safely configured within the trailer to ensure even distribution of weight. When improperly loaded, cargo can shift dangerously within the trailer, causing the truck to malfunction while in motion. Improper loading can also cause cargo to fall out of the back of a truck into oncoming traffic.
Poor weather conditions. While drivers ultimately are responsible for maintaining control of their vehicles at all times and in all weather conditions, adverse weather often plays a role in crashes. Because of the large size and heavy weight of trucks, they cannot be stopped or steered as easily as cars. When drivers fail to account for these limitations during wet, rainy, snowy, windy, or icy conditions, they run the risk of losing control of their vehicle and causing an accident.
Equipment failure. Equipment failure can be caused by design errors, manufacturing errors, or negligent vehicle maintenance. The FMCSA requires all truck companies and drivers to perform regular inspections on their vehicles before each trip and perform maintenance throughout the year. Unfortunately, many drivers ignore these rules, leading to a large number of accidents. Two of the most common maintenance-related equipment failures involve aging tires and brakes.
Negligent hiring. Truck companies have a responsibility to ensure that they hire well-qualified and competent drivers. Companies negligently hire when they fail to ensure that a driver has the appropriate driver’s license, fail to check the individual’s driving record, fail to perform drug testing, or fail to ensure that the driver’s truck is in compliance with FMCSA regulations.

Because there are so many factors that may contribute to a trucking accident, it is often the case that potentially liable parties will attempt to deflect the blame away from themselves to avoid financial responsibility. That is why it is wise to seek the counsel of a seasoned Philadelphia truck accident attorney at Shrager & Sachs.

After thoroughly investigating the cause of your accident, we can determine who can be held accountable for your accident and pursue just compensation from those responsible with the full force of the law. We consistently work with highly-skilled and respected experts to find and corroborate evidence to improve your chances of receiving maximum payout.

Understanding How U.S. Trucking Regulations Could Impact Your Case

While trucking is certainly an important part of the United States economy, it is equally important that trucking companies and their employees follow strict federal guidelines designed to protect other drivers on the highway. Failure to observe these rules often plays a major role in accidents involving commercial trucks such as tractor-trailers.

Federal laws dictate many aspects of trucking, such as:

How long a driver may operate his or her vehicle before taking a rest break
The type of training drivers must receive before operating a commercial truck
The number of miles a driver may be encouraged to drive within a certain time period
Drug and alcohol use for truck drivers — who must adhere to a strict zero-tolerance policy
Proper upkeep and maintenance of the vehicle
How loads are to be stowed and secured on the truck

Don't Wait to Get Started on Your Case Today

Our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys have won multi-million dollar truck accident cases, including a recent $5.44 million pre-suit settlement involving a passenger who was severely injured when his vehicle was struck by an over-loaded water tank truck.

Other notable cases include a $1 million settlement for a pedestrian injured in a truck accident and a $2.1 million settlement in a tractor-trailer accident that resulted in two fatalities. With years of experience and a passion for defending the rights of those we represent, Shrager & Sachs is the team you should want on your side.

Call our office to schedule your free case
consultation with a member of our legal team.

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