When someone else is negligent or careless behind the wheel, and you suffer because of it, you may be entitled to compensation. A truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia from Morelli Law Firm may be able to help you seek this financial recovery in Philadelphia.
Truck accidents can leave you with no way to pay your growing medical bills while recovering from your injuries or grieving the loss of a loved one and facing other financial damages. We understand this, which is why our team offers complimentary case reviews and charges no fees unless we win your claim or lawsuit.
You Have Rights After a Truck Accident
Many people don’t realize that they may have a right to monetary damages after a truck accident when another party is liable. Even emotional pain and suffering may be covered under Pennsylvania’s personal injury laws.
However, healing from injuries you suffered in a truck accident can take weeks, if not months. This can make it challenging to keep track of an insurance claim or personal injury case. Likely, you will also be dealing with other consequences of the collision on top of this.
Yet, waiting to seek compensation from the liable party could hurt your chances of financial recovery. You may miss the opportunity to collect crucial evidence and reliable statements from witnesses. Moreover, your ability to file a lawsuit has an expiration date, which can affect your case even if you attempt to negotiate a settlement first.
Time Limits for Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawsuits
There is a statute of limitations in every state when it comes to personal injury cases. In Pennsylvania, you typically must file a lawsuit within two years of an accident per Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. If you wait too long to take legal action and allow this time limit to expire, it could prevent you from recovering compensation via a lawsuit.
Losing the ability to file a lawsuit could also cost you leverage in an insurance claim, making it more difficult to receive a fair settlement. Rather than putting off your potential case, you could hire a Philadelphia truck accident attorney from our firm to represent you, giving yourself the time you need to recover.
Our Truck Accident Lawyers in Philadelphia Can Take Over Your Case
When you turn your case over to our firm, we will use our time and resources to:
- Identify the liable party
- Gather evidence in support of your case
- Evaluate the amount of compensation you qualify to seek
- Communicate with insurance companies and third-party players
- Manage relevant paperwork
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- Represent your case in a trial if necessary
A truck accident lawyer in Philadelphia can also provide insight into the legal system, updates about your case proceedings, and advice along the way. Our team’s goal is to meet your legal needs while fighting for your right to damages.
Proving Liability for the Truck Collision
Fatal and nonfatal truck accidents make up thousands of cases annually, and there are various reasons they occur. When we review your case, our team will look for evidence that points to the at-fault and liable parties. For example, we may be able to base your claim or lawsuit against the truck driver on:
- Failure to signal before making a lane change
- Distracted driving
- Tired driving
- Intoxication
Any situation where a truck driver’s negligence caused your accident may allow you to recover compensation in a personal injury case. However, there are often other liable parties in this type of case. The trucking company may be liable for their driver’s actions or the actions of another employee who loaded the truck. A mechanic or maintenance team could also be responsible for your damages.
Our Philadelphia truck accident attorneys can investigate your accident to determine who is liable for your injuries. If the trucking company or mechanic is liable, we are not afraid to pursue them for compensation on your behalf.
Recoverable Damages in a Philadelphia Truck Accident Case
If you are suffering injuries from a truck accident, you may have a stack of bills accumulating. You may also be spending significant time out of work, preventing you from bringing home paychecks. A personal injury case could help you recover compensation for a variety of damages, including:
- The cost of past, current, and future medical care related to your injuries
- Lost wages for the time you are unable to work
- Reduced earning ability if your injuries have long-term effects
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
If the truck accident was fatal and took the life of your loved one, you may qualify for compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit, per Pa. C.S.A. § 8301. The damages recoverable for wrongful death may include:
- Funeral expenses
- Medical costs for treating your loved one’s injuries prior to their death
- Lost income, benefits, and annuities they would have earned during their life
- Loss of consortium and other relationships with the decedent
One of our firm’s truck accident attorneys in Philadelphia, PA, may be able to represent you in a wrongful death case so that your family can concentrate on grieving.
First Steps After a Truck Accident
Though our team can handle all of your case’s legal aspects, there are a few steps you can take on your own that could help support your chances of recovering compensation. We’ve outlined them below to give you a head start.
Get Medical Treatment
Your first priority after a truck accident should be your health and safety, which is why we recommend you seek immediate medical treatment after an accident. Seeing a doctor after your accident can create a link between your injuries and the collision. This link is a vital part of proving your case.
Take Notes
Write down what happened right after the accident, or else your memory may get fuzzy. If you do not have paper handy, you can use your phone to record it. However, we do not advise you to share this with anyone but your attorney. Insurance adjusters and representatives of the liable party may find a way to use these recorded statements against you.
Request a Police Report
Police reports are standard with any accident. They can contain a wealth of vital information for your case, such as:
- The date of the collision
- The drivers involved
- Statements from witnesses
- An assessment from the responding officer
- A record of the initial injuries and damages
Like medical records, this document could give us details to support your case against the liable party.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia Today
You do not need to face the parties responsible for your injuries alone. If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact Morelli Law Firm. A Philadelphia truck accident attorney from our firm may be able to represent you in Philadelphia. While you concentrate on your recovery, we can gather evidence that supports your right to a settlement offer or court award.
Our firm provides free case evaluations, during which you can discuss your case and legal options with a representative from the team. Call us and get your complimentary review.