Philadelphia Truck Accident Attorney
Significant injuries and fatalities are common with truck accidents, and these types of injury cases can be complex. Philadelphia truck accident attorneys at Astor, Weiss, Kaplan & Mandel, LLP can investigate and reconstruct a truck accident to determine the cause, identify liable parties, and help you seek compensation if the accident resulted from someone else’s negligence.
How Philadelphia trucking accident lawyers can determine negligence
Semis, big rigs, and 18-wheelers frequent our roads and highways, and while most truck drivers follow regulations and operate their vehicles safely, some do not. Agencies such as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation set and monitor safety standards in the trucking industry by creating numerous regulations that drivers and trucking companies must follow. Industry violations often result in serious accidents and point to negligence.
Causes underlying a truck accident may include:
- Speeding to meet an unrealistic delivery schedule
- Driver fatigue due to exceeding driving hours restrictions
- Failure to maintain the truck properly
- Cargo overload
- Drug or alcohol abuse
- Insufficient driver training
The FMCSA limits the number of hours truck drivers can operate their vehicles and drivers must keep logs that document hours on the road. Today, many trucking companies use black boxes, which may vary in design but are some form of onboard computer usually incorporating Global Positioning systems (GPS), data recording of hours driven, and information about speed, braking, vehicle tires, and so on. As part of the investigation, a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer can request logs and black box information to gather evidence in a case. Early investigation often prevents loss of this crucial evidence, so it is important to obtain legal representation as soon as possible.
Sometimes our lawyers at Astor, Weiss, Kaplan & Mandel discover multiple parties are responsible in a truck accident, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, a cargo loading facility, or the government for unsafe roads.
Discuss your case with a Philadelphia truck accident lawyer
Explain the details of your accident to a Philadelphia truck accident attorney and find out whether you have a viable case. Our law firm takes truck accident cases based on contingency, which means you owe no fees unless we succeed in obtaining compensation through settlement or verdict. Our initial consultation to evaluate your accident is free. To make an appointment, contact Astor Weiss Kaplan & Mandel, LLP — where character counts.
