The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) reports that approximately 6,750 large commercial truck accidents happen in the Commonwealth each year. Due to their large size, these trucks are disproportionately likely to be involved in catastrophic or fatal collisions. You need to know exactly who is at fault for a truck accident. In this article, our Philadelphia truck accident attorney explains the key things to know about fault for trucking accidents in Pennsylvania.
Every Truck Accident Requires a Thorough and Detail-Focused Investigation
Fault for a truck accident will depend on exactly what happened and why it happened. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, every commercial truck accident must undergo a thorough investigation in order to determine the root cause and identify all potential at-fault parties. The investigation will typically involve collecting and analyzing evidence from the scene of the accident, including witness statements, vehicle damage, and data from any onboard electronic systems. Your crash should always be investigated by an experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyer.
Many Different Parties Can Bear Liability for a Commercial Truck Accident
Trucking is a highly complicated industry. There are many parties involved in large-scale commercial truck operations. Any of these parties could potentially bear fault for a crash. Some notable examples of parties that may be named as defendants in a truck accident claim include:
- The Truck Driver: If the driver was negligent or otherwise reckless in their operation of the vehicle, they may be held liable for the accident.
- The Trucking Company: The company that employs the driver may be liable if they failed to properly maintain the vehicle or if they otherwise failed to follow safety precautions.
- Manufacturers: If a defect in the vehicle or its components contributed to the accident, the manufacturer may be held liable through a defective product claim.
- Other Drivers: If another driver’s actions contributed to the accident, they may be held partially or fully responsible for the trucking accident.
Pennsylvania Operates Under a Comparative Fault Standard
Under Pennsylvania law (42 P.S. § 7102), truck accidents are subject to a comparative fault system of liability. Multiple parties may share fault for the same truck accident in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Liability is proportionate to each party’s degree of fault. If someone is 25 percent responsible for causing a truck accident, they may bear 25 percent of the total damages. An injured victim may be partially responsible for their own truck accident, which would reduce their compensation. A lawyer can protect you from an unjust assignment of liability.
Get Help From Our Philadelphia Truck Accident Attorney Today
At the Quinn Law Group, our Philadelphia trucking accident lawyer is here to be your voice and your advocate. We know how to get results. If you have any questions about fault for a trucking accident, our team can help. Contact us today for a free, no commitment case review. From our Philadelphia office, we handle truck accident claims in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey.
