Were you injured in a tractor-trailer crash in Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you pursue compensation from those responsible. A Lancaster tractor-trailer accident lawyer can investigate the collision and explain your legal options. Call (717) 616-2954 today to schedule a free consultation.
Tractor-trailer crashes can cause severe injuries because of the size and weight of commercial vehicles. These cases may involve truck drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo companies, and insurers. A Lancaster personal injury attorney can investigate the cause of the crash, identify potentially liable parties, and pursue compensation for your losses.
How Can Marzzacco Niven & Associates Help After a Tractor-Trailer Accident in Lancaster, PA?
Marzzacco Niven & Associates has more than 120 years of combined experience in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and employment law. Our attorneys have recovered tens of millions of dollars on behalf of accident victims in Pennsylvania.
A Lancaster truck accident lawyer from our firm can:
- Investigate the crash and identify potentially responsible parties
- Gather police reports, trucking records, photographs, and other evidence
- Review evidence involving the truck, driver, cargo, and maintenance
- Document your injuries and accident-related losses
- Handle communications and negotiations with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit and prepare your case for court when necessary
Tractor-trailer accident claims can involve complicated evidence and multiple parties. Our Lancaster personal injury attorneys can investigate the circumstances surrounding your crash and pursue the compensation available under Pennsylvania law.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
Why Are Tractor-Trailer Collisions So Dangerous?
Tractor-trailers, also called semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, are much larger and heavier than most passenger vehicles. Their size can increase the force of a collision and put occupants of smaller vehicles at greater risk of serious injuries.
Large trucks can also be more difficult to stop and maneuver, particularly at higher speeds or in heavy traffic. These characteristics can contribute to severe crashes when a truck driver loses control, fails to stop in time, or collides with another road user.
Federal and Pennsylvania laws regulate commercial vehicles, including their size and weight. Pennsylvania also has requirements for certain oversized and overweight loads. Learn more about the state’s vehicle size and weight requirements.
Common Causes of Tractor-Trailer Accidents in Lancaster
Large truck accidents can result from a wide range of causes.
Careless Driving
Truck drivers may cause accidents by violating traffic laws or engaging in other careless driving behaviors.
Common examples include:
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unsafe backing
- Distracted driving
Large trucks can require more distance to slow or stop than smaller passenger vehicles. A tractor-trailer may also jackknife or become difficult to control when a driver makes a sudden maneuver. These characteristics can make driving errors particularly dangerous.
Equipment Failures
Commercial trucks accumulate significant mileage and require regular inspection, maintenance, and repair. Mechanical problems involving important vehicle components can contribute to serious crashes.
Parts and systems that may be involved in truck accidents include:
- Brakes
- Tires and wheels
- Steering systems
- Trailer couplings
Trucking companies may perform maintenance themselves or use outside contractors. When an equipment failure contributes to an accident, determining who was responsible for inspecting, maintaining, or repairing the vehicle can be an important part of the investigation.
Driver Fatigue
Federal regulations limit how long many commercial truck drivers may drive and work before taking required breaks. Despite these rules, fatigued driving can still contribute to truck crashes.
Evidence such as electronic logging device data, driver records, dispatch information, and other trucking records may help determine whether fatigue or hours-of-service violations played a role in a collision.
Who Can Be Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Crash in Pennsylvania?
Liability for a tractor-trailer crash depends on who caused or contributed to the collision. A truck driver may be responsible for negligent conduct such as speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, or driving while fatigued.
A trucking company may also be liable in some circumstances. For example, liability may arise from the company’s own negligent hiring, training, supervision, inspection, or maintenance practices. An employer may also be responsible for an employee’s negligent conduct when the legal requirements for employer liability are met.
Other parties can potentially share responsibility, including maintenance contractors, cargo-loading companies, vehicle or parts manufacturers, and other motorists. Determining liability requires investigating the specific circumstances of the crash and the relationships between the parties involved.
A Lancaster truck accident lawyer can gather evidence, identify potentially responsible parties, and determine which claims may be available under Pennsylvania law.
Contact Our Lancaster Tractor-Trailer Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A tractor-trailer crash can leave you facing serious injuries, medical expenses, lost income, and uncertainty about who is responsible. Taking action after a collision can help preserve evidence and protect your right to seek compensation.
Our Lancaster personal injury attorneys can investigate the crash, identify potentially liable parties, handle communications with insurers, and pursue compensation on your behalf. Contact Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to schedule a free consultation with a Lancaster tractor-trailer accident attorney.