Williamsport's central Pennsylvania location puts our city in the busy cargo corridor connecting the Northeast with the Midwest.
Truck traffic is almost always thick along the I-80, U.S. 220, Route 15, and other critical arteries any time of day. However, all the tractor-trailer traffic translates to a high rate of truck accidents, which are among the deadliest of traffic crashes.
The consequences of accidents involving large commercial trucks are often devastating. If you or a loved one were injured in a truck accident, you need a Williamsport truck accident lawyer on your side.
We understand the challenges you face, and we want to help you get back on your feet. At Waffenschmidt Law Firm, we won’t back down until we secure the compensation you deserve.
Williamsport Truck Accident Lawyer Guide
- Why Choose Waffenschmidt for Your Williamsport Truck Accident Case?
- Why Truck Accidents Are so Dangerous
- What Causes Truck Accidents?
- Severe Injuries Commonly Seen in Truck Accident Cases
- Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?
- Don't Fight with the Insurance Companies
- Who May Be Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
- What Compensation is Available to Truck Accident Victims?
- Are There Time Limits for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Williamsport?
- Contact the Williamsport Truck Accident Lawyers at Waffenschmidt Today
Why Choose Waffenschmidt for Your Williamsport Truck Accident Case?
When it comes to handling Williamsport truck accident cases, Waffenschmidt Law Firm stands out.
Our team of personal injury attorneys in Williamsport has a deep understanding of the complexities involved in these lawsuits, including:
- The rules and regulations that govern trucking safety
- How the trucking industry operates
- What causes truck accidents and why
- How to maximize the compensation you can receive
We have a proven record of success securing top compensation for our clients going back more than three decades, and we're not afraid to take on even the most formidable opponents in the industry and their insurers. We have won millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for accident victims, ensuring they receive the best compensation they can get.
Why Truck Accidents Are so Dangerous
Tractor-trailers can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, dwarfing the average passenger vehicle in size and weight. Accidents involving big semi-rigs are extremely dangerous. Even a minor collision can result in catastrophic injuries or fatalities.
Some of the most common and devastating types of truck accidents our firm sees in the Williamsport area include:
- Jackknifing
- Underrides
- Overrides
- Rollovers
- Wide-turn accidents
- Tire blowouts
What Causes Truck Accidents?
Operating a commercial tractor-trailer demands exceptional skill, focus, and responsibility from drivers. A momentary lapse in judgment or failure to comply with safety rules can end in disaster. Truck accidents can stem from various factors, ranging from human error to mechanical failures and environmental conditions.
Some of the most common causes include:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving (drugs or alcohol)
- Speeding
- Improper vehicle maintenance
- Inadequate training or experience
- Inclement weather conditions
- Improper cargo loading or securement
Severe Injuries Commonly Seen in Truck Accident Cases
Sadly, federal statistics rank Pennsylvania in the top five states for fatal truck accidents.
This has allowed our truck accident lawyers at Waffenschmidt Law Firm to witness firsthand the devastating injuries truck accidents inflict on individuals and families. Coping with any one of these injuries is difficult enough, let alone trying to pay your bills and stay afloat.
These injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Head trauma of any kind or severity can result in cognitive impairments, depression, memory loss, personality changes, and degenerative brain diseases.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, significantly impacting the victim's mobility and quality of life.
- Amputations: The crushing force of a truck accident can lead to the loss of limbs, a traumatic injury that requires major physical and emotional adjustment and continual rehabilitation.
- Internal Injuries: The blunt force trauma from a truck collision can cause organ damage, internal bleeding, and other potentially life-threatening internal injuries.
- Burn Injuries: In some cases, truck accidents can result in fires or explosions, leading to severe burns that can cause excruciating pain, disfigurement, and long-term complications.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: The immense force of a truck accident can cause multiple broken bones, fractures, and crushed limbs.
Do I Have a Truck Accident Claim?
We must establish that the other party or parties were negligent to have a successful truck accident case. In legal terms, negligence refers to the failure to exercise reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person.
To prove negligence, four elements must be present:
- Duty of care: The other party had a legal obligation to act reasonably and avoid causing harm.
- Breach of duty: The other party failed to uphold their duty of care.
- Causation: The breach of duty directly caused the accident and your injuries.
- Damages: You suffered quantifiable losses, such as medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering because of the accident.
Don't Fight with the Insurance Companies
In the aftermath of a truck accident, you may receive a call from the insurance company representing the trucking firm or the driver. They may offer you a settlement for your injuries or losses.
Never accept these initial offers or engage in negotiations without legal representation. Insurance companies are more concerned with protecting their profits and bottom line, and their initial offers are usually far below what you truly need.
An experienced Williamsport truck accident lawyer stands between you and the insurance companies. We handle all communications professionally and in your best interest. We will never settle for anything less than what you deserve.
Who May Be Liable in a Truck Accident Case?
We handled some truck accident cases that named a single defendant. Usually, however, multiple parties have some liability in the crash.
Potentially liable parties may include:
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- The cargo loading company
- The maintenance or repair facility
- Other third parties (i.e. a government entity that maintains the roads)
Our truck accident lawyers investigate your case exhaustively to identify all potentially liable parties and ensure you receive the full compensation you deserve.
What Compensation is Available to Truck Accident Victims?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, you may be entitled to various types of damages, including:
Economic Damages:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation and therapy costs
Non-Economic Damages:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (for spouses)
In truck accident cases involving a wrongful death, the surviving family members may recover compensation for funeral expenses, loss of income and support, and other related damages.
Are There Time Limits for Filing a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Williamsport?
Pennsylvania has a statute of limitations for filing a truck accident lawsuit. The statute limits the time you have to take legal action after the accident occurs. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including truck accidents, is generally two years from the accident date.
There are some exceptions to this rule, but they are relatively rare. Call our Williamsport truck accident lawyers today to ensure you don't miss this critical deadline.
Contact the Williamsport Truck Accident Lawyers at Waffenschmidt Today
Truck accidents are violent, traumatic crashes that leave survivors feeling anxious, angry, and confused about what to do next. A Waffenschmidt truck accident lawyer can bring perspective and hope to your situation. We're here to take this fight on for you so you can move forward.
If a truck accident in the Williamsport area injured you or a loved one, call us right away. The recovery journey may be long and difficult, but you don't have to go through it alone. At Waffenschmidt Law Firm, our team of truck accident lawyers is ready to help.
Contact us today at (570) 505-3015 for your free, no-obligation consultation. We'll listen to your story, evaluate your case, and provide you with the guidance and support you need during this difficult time.