Lancaster Truck Accident Lawyer

Did you or a loved one sustain injuries in an accident involving a large truck, tractor-trailer, or big rig in Lancaster, PA? An experienced Lancaster truck accident lawyer at Marzzacco Niven & Associates can help you fight for the compensation you deserve. You may be entitled to money for medical bills, lost wages, and more.

Collectively, our lawyers have over 120 years of experience handling personal injury claims. We’ve already won tens of millions of dollars for accident victims over the years.

Contact our law offices in Lancaster, Pennsylvania at (717) 616-2954 to schedule a free consultation with a lawyer who can protect your legal rights today.

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Truck Accident in Lancaster

How Marzzacco Niven & Associates Can Help After a Truck Accident in Lancaster

A lengthy battle with the insurance company is the last thing you need if you’re hurt. Even if you do everything right, insurance companies often convince truck accident victims to accept lowball settlements. You could easily run out of money before recovering from your injuries.

Our Lancaster injury lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates have protected accident victims’ rights for decades. We have the experience you can trust. Over the years, we’ve been rated by Super Lawyers, the Best Lawyers of America, and the National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40.

Most importantly, we’ve helped countless clients get the money they need to move forward.

When you choose our law firm, you can count on us to:

  • Conduct a detailed investigation into the crash
  • Calculate the value of your case
  • Defend you if you’re blamed for the accident
  • Hire experts and specialists to support your claim
  • Handle all negotiations with the insurance company 

When you’re hurt because someone else was careless, you deserve the maximum compensation available. Our Lancaster truck accident attorneys will work tirelessly to make that happen. To learn more, call for a free case review today.

How Common Are Truck Accidents in Lancaster, PA?

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) keeps track of truck accidents in the United States. During 2019, large trucks were involved in 119,000 accidents where victims sustained injuries. Large trucks were responsible for at least 5,005 fatal truck wrecks that year.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation also provides data on truck accidents. Statewide, 6,906 accidents involving large commercial trucks were reported in 2020. PennDOT reported at least 2,500 injuries and 110 fatalities. 

The truck driver escapes a crash without serious injury most of the time. The occupants of smaller passenger vehicles tend to suffer the most severe injuries. Statistics show that 72% of people killed in large truck wrecks are occupants of other vehicles.

What is My Lancaster Truck Accident Case Worth?

It’s impossible to estimate the value of a personal injury claim without all the facts. Before we assess your case value, our lawyers will investigate and ask questions. That way, we can be sure we have the information we need to negotiate the maximum settlement possible.

Certain factors tend to be more important than others, including:

  • The severity of your injuries
  • The cost of your medical treatment and other expenses
  • Whether you can work during recovery
  • Whether the accident caused a permanent impairment
  • The strength of your negligence claim
  • Available insurance coverage

Our lawyers can provide more detailed information in your free case evaluation. We may also bring in experts and specialists who can offer insight into your future needs. You can learn more by calling our Lancaster personal injury law firm today.

What Types of Damages Are Available to Truck Accident Victims?

In a personal injury lawsuit, the money you can recover is often called “damages.” Your damages should represent the full losses you’ve sustained in an accident, including financial losses and non-financial losses.

Economic damages compensate victims for their financial losses, such as:

Non-economic damages are much more subjective and personal. Examples of your non-economic damages include:

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Physical disfigurement and scarring
  • Anxiety 
  • Depression 
  • PTSD
  • Loss of consortium

Some courts may award punitive damages to punish the defendant for intentional wrongdoing or gross negligence. For example, if a drunk driver caused the accident, the court may award punitive damages.

Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?

Trucking accidents can be messy. Multiple factors can contribute to the cause of an accident. It’s very possible that the insurance company may try to blame you for the car accident.

Under Pennsylvania state comparative negligence laws, you can recover damages if you were less than 51% responsible for the accident. If the insurance company can prove that your own acts were the primary cause of the crash, you’ll lose your right to compensation.

However, shared fault rules are important even if you were less than 51% responsible. The compensation you receive is reduced by any percentage of fault allocated to you. For example, if you were 20% responsible for the crash, your settlement or verdict would be reduced by 20%.

We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries

A crash with a large commercial truck can cause devastating injuries. Because trucks are so large and heavy, the injuries can be serious, even in cases involving low speeds.

At Marzzacco Niven & Associates, our Lancaster truck accident attorneys often represent victims who sustain:

Tractor-trailer accidents are often fatal. If you lost a family member in a fatal truck crash, we can help you fight to recover damages for the wrongful death of a loved one.

What Causes Most Truck Accidents in Lancaster, Pennsylvania?

Truck drivers are required to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL). CDL requirements are designed to keep others safe by making sure truck drivers are qualified to operate a commercial vehicle. Still, truck drivers are only human, and accidents can happen for many different reasons.

Some of the most common reasons truck accidents occur include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Drug and alcohol use
  • Unsafe left-hand turns
  • Dangerous passing or lane changes
  • Violation of FMCSA hours-of-service rules
  • Excessive speeds
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way 
  • Tailgating 
  • Aggressive driving
  • Failure to properly inspect and maintain the truck
  • Inexperienced drivers
  • Problems with the truck cargo
  • Worn tires, faulty brakes, and other mechanical defects

Truck drivers are prone to becoming fatigued. The trucking industry requires them to spend long hours behind the wheel. Many even violate federal regulations that limit the amount of time the driver can be on the roads each day.

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania? 

About 87% of all truck accidents are caused by human error. In other words, they happen because someone was negligent. To recover damages, you’ll have to prove that your crash happened because someone was negligent. 

The elements of your negligence claim include:

  • The at-fault party owed you a legal duty of care
  • They breached the duty of care
  • The breach caused your accident 
  • You suffered injuries or damages 

You’ll also have to identify the responsible party. In a truck accident case, the driver isn’t always financially responsible, even if they caused the crash. Truck drivers are employers. The employer can be held liable for the employee’s negligence.

Examples of responsible parties in a truck accident case include:

  • The trucking company
  • Mechanics and maintenance companies
  • Companies responsible for the truck’s cargo
  • Third-party drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians
  • Employers of negligent parties

Our lawyers at Marzzacco Niven & Associates will collect the evidence you need to prove your case, including:

  • Evidence from the truck’s black box recording device, which records the truck’s speed and other conditions at the time of the accident
  • The truck driver’s hours-of-service log
  • Truck inspection and maintenance records
  • Evidence about the trucking company’s hiring practices
  • Results of any NTSB investigation
  • Video footage
  • Eyewitness statements
  • Police reports

We’ll hire respected experts in accident reconstruction if necessary to support your claim. Those experts can help us interpret the evidence and strengthen your negligence claim.

How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?

Most truck accident victims have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit under Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations. Once two years have passed, you lose your right to seek compensation.

The trucking company will start working on their case immediately after the accident. Because of that, it’s important to speak with an experienced lawyer as soon as you can. To get started, give us a call to discuss your legal options today.

Contact a Lancaster Truck Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation

If you or someone you love was hurt in a truck accident, we’re here to help. Call Marzzacco Niven & Associates today to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Lancaster truck accident lawyer.


Visit Our Law Office in Lancaster, PA

Marzzacco Niven & Associates
2173 Embassy Dr Ste 123, Lancaster, PA 17603
(717) 616-2954

Get directions with Google Maps.

Other Practice Areas In Lancaster, PA

Contact our personal injury law firm in Lancaster if you were the victim of an accident. Marzzacco Niven & Associates understands just how complex these cases can be and is prepared to help you get the money you deserve.

Our personal injury law firm in Lancaster, PA also provides: