Were you in a truck accident in Pennsylvania? Even though thousands of accidents each year involve trucks, it isn’t easy to deal with for those involved in them.

Truck accidents can cause severe damage, injuries, and even death while turning the victims’ lives upside down.

Even with such a high number of crashes annually, road users may still not know what to do when one happens to them. The following information may be helpful if you find yourself in this very situation.

Involved in a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania

Cases That Made The Media

Truck accidents are a major concern in Pennsylvania, with devastating consequences. One such tragic incident occurred in February 2021 when a gasoline-carrying tanker truck crashed and exploded on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County.

The accident resulted in the death of the truck driver and several injuries, along with significant damage to the highway and surrounding area. Investigations revealed that the truck was travelling at a high speed and failed to negotiate a curve, causing the accident.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. In July 2019, a tour bus was struck by a distracted tractor-trailer driver on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Westmoreland County, resulting in the death of five people, including a young child, and several injuries.

Another tanker truck carrying hazardous materials overturned and caught fire in December 2017 on Route 222 in Lancaster County, leading to evacuations and significant traffic delays. The driver was travelling at a high speed, leading to the accident.

Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County

Truck accidents can also result in fatalities and injuries to innocent passengers. In January 2016, a tractor-trailer driver distracted by his GPS collided with a van carrying members of a college choir travelling to a concert in Ohio on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Somerset County, resulting in the death of three people and several injuries.

A bridal party limousine collided with a speeding tractor-trailer driver on the Pennsylvania Turnpike in Chester County, resulting in the death of one person and several injuries, leading to significant traffic delays.

In Pennsylvania, truck accidents are responsible for approximately 20% of all fatal crashes, and the number of truck accidents has increased by 39% over the past decade. Furthermore, accidents involving large trucks are more likely to result in fatalities than other types of accidents, with truck accidents accounting for 10% of all traffic-related deaths in Pennsylvania.

Get Medical Help

Before you call a truck accident lawyer for help and advice at the scene of a truck accident, seek medical assistance first. Call emergency services for police and ambulance if someone else hasn’t already contacted them.

Even if you don’t believe you have been injured, you may be in shock and suffering from internal injuries that could quickly become serious.

Seeking medical attention is also crucial if you decide to make a truck accident claim or personal injury claim with your chosen lawyer.

The written reports of your injuries by medical professionals will make it harder for insurance companies to argue that your injuries are not crash-related.

Truck Accident in Pennsylvania

Over 100,000 people are involved in truck accidents each year, but your accident is likely your first.

It can be challenging to know what to do when you’ve never had to concern yourself with lawyers, insurance companies, and scene witnesses.

Before you end up doing something that could impact any future lawsuits, contact a truck accident lawyer.

They can offer advice on what to do next, which may include not talking to insurance companies or the trucking company without first meeting with your new lawyer.

Gather Evidence

The strongest lawsuit is one with plenty of evidence that can’t be contested. If you are in a position to do so, start gathering evidence at the accident site.

This can include photos and videos of the scene and vehicular damage, along with contact information for witnesses you might need to call upon for their testimony.

Your police and hospital reports can also form part of your evidence collection to ensure your case is as strong as possible before putting it before the courts.

Truck Accident in Pennsylvania

Even though Pennsylvania is a no-fault state, which means each driver’s insurance company pays for their expenses regardless of who’s at fault, that doesn’t mean you should admit fault for the accident.

Any number of things could be to blame for the collision, which may not be clear to you or the other driver without a scene investigation.

If you have full tort insurance, you can also file a lawsuit against the at-fault driver for lost wages, medical expenses, and other damages.

The less you say at the accident scene, the better. Your chosen truck accident lawyer can advise what is and isn’t appropriate to say.

Being involved in a truck collision can be an overwhelming experience, particularly if you’re unsure what to do when one happens to you. Call a truck accident attorney in Pennsylvania and follow the steps above.

You may be able to put yourself in a desirable position for compensation to cover your accident-related costs.

What to Do When Involved in a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania

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