Scranton Truck Accident Lawyer

Truck accidents have been steadily increasing over recent years. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were approximately 163,888 motor vehicle accidents involving large trucks in the United States in 2019. Of those crashes, 5,024 resulted in fatalities and 80,506 people were injured. These awe-inspiring numbers remind us just how dangerous and deadly a truck accident in Scranton, PA can be.

Truck accidents can have life-changing consequences. You could be facing years of pain and suffering, along with the crushing medical debt that comes with these types of crashes. You will be facing strong opposition from the insurance company as well as the truck company. Before you take them on, you’re going to need an experienced Scranton truck accident lawyer like Caputo & Mariotti. They can help you build and win a case against all parties involved in the accident.

Who Can Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident in Scranton?

Anyone who has driven through the Wyoming Valley is well aware of the barreling tractor-trailers that come roaring down our roads. Lackawanna County alone is home to some of the most major highways in the Northeast, such as I-81, I-84, I-380, Business US 6 and 11, and the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

With these busy roads in the vicinity of the Electric City, truck accidents happen on a regular basis. And if you are involved in a truck accident, you need to know that multiple parties may be held at fault. These parties include:

• The truck driver: The driver could be held responsible if he/she was driving in a negligent manner at the time of the crash, such as speeding, driving while under the influence, or distracted driving.
• The truck owner: Not all trucks are owned by the driver or the trucking company. Sometimes, a third party owns the truck. If the owner fails to do certain tasks such as annual inspections or regular maintenance on the vehicle, the owner could be held liable if the accident was a result of this negligence.
• The trucking company: Like the truck owner, the trucking could be held responsible if regular maintenance was ignored. In addition, if the company poorly trained the driver or contributed to the reckless driving behavior, it can be held liable.
• The truck manufacturer: If a defective component of the vehicle, such as faulty brakes, was the cause of the accident, the manufacturer of the parts or of the vehicle can be held responsible.
• The cargo loading company: If a truck was loaded improperly or was overloaded by the loading company, causing the crash, the company can be held responsible.

To properly identify the negligent party or parties, our Scranton truck accident lawyers will need to review the driver’s logbooks, the accident reports, and other evidence. The small details count, so we review everything relevant to the accident that can help pinpoint which party was at fault.

Common Mistakes That Result in a Scranton Truck Accident

There are rules and regulations to reduce the likelihood of truck driver mistakes. However, drivers don’t always follow the rules and may have committed an error that led to the accident. For example, truck drivers are required by law to take a 30-minute rest break if they have been driving for a period of 8 cumulative hours without interruption. Yet, due to a pending deadline, a driver may ignore this law and fail to stop and becoming fatigued.

Some of the most common mistakes also include:

• Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Poor driver training by the trucking company
• Poor truck maintenance such as balding tires or worn brakes
• Aggressive driving, such as speeding or road rage
• Distracted driving

What Should I Do After Being in a Truck Accident?

After being in a truck accident in Scranton it is important you take the necessary steps to ensure you have a tight claim, especially if you believe the accident was not your fault. Here are the steps you should follow:

• Take a moment to calm down and make sure you and everyone involved is ok. Call 911 immediately to report the accident and get help.
• Seek medical attention if needed. Your health and wellbeing is the top priority following the accident.
• Make sure you tell law enforcement everything you can recall about the accident. If able, it may be best to write things down as you may forget them later.
• If you're able, document all damage to your car, the tractor-trailer, your injuries, their injures, etc. Take pictures of anything that can help your case later!
• Get the contact, business (if they are tied to one), and insurance information of the driver and anyone who witnessed the accident.
• Do not give a statement to anyone except the police, your own insurance company, and your own lawyer. If the other party’s insurance contacts you, you don’t have to answer.
• Get a copy of your police report and any medical records, including physical therapy and medical devices.
• One of our truck accident lawyers in Scranton at Caputo & Mariotti will give you the legal guidance you need. It's important to focus on your health and wellbeing, let us handle the rest!

The Difficulties of Truck Accident Claims in Pennsylvania

When organizing a claim, the negligent party’s insurer may involve themselves. As you can see, this can get problematic. For instance, they could view protecting their bottom line is more important than covering your medical costs. Remember, the insurance company is more interested in protecting its investment and will do everything it can to get your claim denied. And the longer you wait to file a lawsuit, the more likely important pieces of evidence will be erased from the accident scene. So time is of the essence for these types of claims.

It's also important to note that Pennsylvania is a "choice-no-fault" state. This means if you have chosen limited tort for your car insurance option, you are unable to sue for pain and suffering unless your injury is considered serious enough as defined by your auto insurance contract. Therefore, a Scranton PA truck accident lawyer with plenty of experience needs to negotiate on your behalf. This will help you dodge the stress and frustration that comes with these types of interactions.

In addition to handling your insurance claims, Caputo & Mariotti can assist you in pursuing a claim against the trucker, the trucking company, or both. We can also help with identifying any other negligent parties that were involved in the accident. Trucking companies can be liable for truck wrecks, either due to the negligent actions of their employees or by failing to implement policies to encourage safety on the road. By working with our truck accident lawyers in Scranton, PA, you can identify who exactly was at fault, and submit a claim to receive the compensation that’s entitled to you.

Scranton, PA Truck Accident Lawyers Are Here to Help

By hiring competent truck accident lawyers in Scranton, PA, you're helping yourself a lot. For instance, you could receive damages covering all sorts of things. This includes lost income, medical bills, treatments, and/or vehicle repair or replacement. However, there are damages money can't account for as emotional trauma, loss of career, and loss of interest in personal hobbies and activities due to your injuries.

Hire a Scranton truck accident lawyer who will relentlessly pursue your claim. Contact Caputo & Mariotti today to schedule a consultation.