PITTSBURGH TRACTOR TRAILER ACCIDENT ATTORNEY

Call them what you want – big trucks, semis, macks, tractor-trailers. These large vehicles provide valuable services to the economy, but they can cause serious damage in an accident. If you or a loved one have been injured and needs a Pittsburgh tractor-trailer accident attorney, you can count on us to be by your side. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we have the experience you need to get to the bottom of what happened. Our goal is to secure compensation for all of your accident-related expenses.

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT TRACTOR-TRAILER CRASHES?

Tractor-trailers can reach weights of up to 80,000 pounds. The average passenger vehicle only weighs 4,000 pounds. In a collision, the results are often devastating for passenger vehicle drivers and their passengers.

Data from the US Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reflects that, for the latest reporting year, there were:

• 4,761 total large truck crash fatalities
• Nearly 150,000 large truck crash injuries

Closer to home in Pennsylvania, the Department of Transportation recorded nearly 7,000 total large truck crashes on our roadways during the latest reporting year. They caused thousands of injuries and led to 145 fatalities.

WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON INJURIES WE SEE?

Injuries from large truck crashes are often severe. It is not uncommon for our Pittsburgh tractor-trailer accident attorneys to see the following:

• Broken and dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations
• Internal organ damage
• Internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries
• Death
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Concussions

In many cases, truck accident victims need extensive medical attention and long-term care. They can lose income and suffer from immense emotional and psychological damages. It is important that victims receive fair compensation for their losses.

HOW DO THESE INCIDENTS HAPPEN?

According to PennDOT, vehicle failure is a major contributor to heavy truck crashes. Because of the sheer size and weight of these vehicles, truck companies must regularly inspect each vehicle and repair any damage immediately. A single tire blowout can lead to devastating consequences on the roadways.

All truck drivers should be fully trained to operate their vehicles. Under no circumstances should a tractor-trailer driver be impaired or distracted behind the wheel. They should follow all federal safety regulations regarding how many hours they can drive at a time and they should refrain from texting or other distractions while driving.

STEPS TO TAKE AFTER A PITTSBURGH TRUCK ACCIDENT OCCURS

If you or somebody you love has been injured in an accident caused by the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company in Pittsburgh, there are various steps you can take in the immediate aftermath of the incident and in the days and weeks to follow to help ensure you recover maximum compensation.

1. Report the incident to the police: All truck accidents that occur in the Pittsburgh area need to be reported to law enforcement. Those involved should call 911 and let the dispatcher know what happened. This helps ensure that police get to the scene as well as any EMS and fire personnel needed to ensure safety at the crash site.
2. Seek immediate medical care: Any truck accident victim needs to seek immediate medical care. Even if the injuries do not seem very severe, please understand that the signs and symptoms of some truck accident injuries do not appear until hours or days after the incident occurs. Seeking medical care helps establish a link between the crash and the injuries while also ensuring the well-being of those involved.
3. Gather as much evidence as possible: If it is safe to do so at the scene of the crash, individuals involved can begin gathering as much evidence as possible. This should include using a smartphone or another type of camera take photographs of anything around the scene, including vehicle damage, debris and skid marks, traffic and weather conditions, injuries, trucking company names and license plates, etc. If there were any eyewitnesses to the crash, their names and contact information need to be written down.
4. Contact an attorney: A skilled Pittsburgh truck accident lawyer can get involved quickly to help gather and preserve the evidence needed to prove liability. An attorney will take over every aspect of the case, including communication with insurance carriers, trucking companies, and other legal teams.
5. Report the incident to insurers: The truck crash will need to be reported to the insurance carriers, and an attorney can help with this. However, if you do not have an attorney, you need to limit how much information you give the insurance carrier for the big rig. An initial report shall include basic details about the incident. Do not go into detail about injuries or causes of the crash.
6. Continue all medical care: Truck crash victims in Pittsburgh need to continue all medical care until after their doctor says they have reached maximum medical improvement. Discontinuing care against the advice of a doctor could give the insurance carriers reason to deny your claim.

TIME LIMIT FOR FILING A PITTSBURGH TRUCK ACCIDENT CLAIM

It is critical for individuals harmed as a result of an accident caused by a truck driver or trucking company in Pittsburgh to know that they have a limited amount of time to file these claims. The Pennsylvania personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. This means that Pittsburgh truck accident victims have a two-year window within which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent truck driver or trucking company. Failing to file a lawsuit within this timeframe will result in the victim being unable to recover compensation for their losses. People who are under the age of 18 at the time of a crash have until their 20^th birthday to file suit.

Even though the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is set at two years after the incident occurs, the reality is that these claims need to be filed with insurance carriers much sooner than that. There will be multiple insurance carriers involved in the aftermath of a truck accident that occurs in or around Pittsburgh. Each of these carriers has very strict reporting deadlines in place. Failing to promptly report a truck accident could result in the insurance carrier delaying or even denying the claim.

LET US GET TO WORK ON SECURING COMPENSATION TODAY

If you or a loved one have been injured in a tractor-trailer crash, you may need to seek legal assistance as soon as possible. At Shenderovich, Shenderovich & Fishman, we are ready to help if the carelessness or negligence of a truck driver or company has caused you harm. Our goal is to secure the following:

• Your current and future medical expenses related to the incident
• Lost wages and benefits if you are unable to work
• Pain and suffering damages
• Loss of personal enjoyment damages
• Possible punitive damages against those responsible

If you need a Pittsburgh tractor-trailer accident lawyer, you can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 888-988-9467.