Downingtown, PA Truck Accident Lawyers

Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries and extensive property damage, leaving victims with significant physical, emotional, and financial losses. A serious truck accident can tear a community apart, leaving entire roads blocked off and leading to substantial economic losses. If you’ve been involved in a truck accident in Downingtown, PA, you could be entitled to compensation from the liable party. However, be prepared for an uphill battle. Trucking companies work hard to limit their liability, even when it’s obvious that their driver is at fault.

That’s where we come in. At Kingbird Legal, we fight aggressively on behalf of our clients to help them get the compensation they’re owed. Set up a consultation now by calling us at 484-289-4880.

Truck Accidents on Pennsylvania Roads

Truck accidents are a common occurrence on Pennsylvania roads, given the state’s extensive network of highways and strong transportation industry. Tractor-trailers can weigh dozens of times more than a standard passenger vehicle, making them a massive threat to drivers and passengers. The threat is even greater when a truck is carrying hazardous materials, as these hazardous materials may cause fires, explosions, and serious health issues. Common causes of truck collisions include fatigue, impairment by drugs or alcohol, speeding, and following too closely.

In Pennsylvania, truck accidents have trended upward in recent years. They decreased substantially in 2020, when there were significantly fewer vehicles on the road, but quickly bounced back in 2021. Between 2020 and 2021, accidents went from 6,344 to 7,244. They then jumped dramatically to 7,522 in 2022. Unfortunately, fatalities have followed this trend. In 2022, 145 people died in truck collisions in Pennsylvania.

While most accidents are the result of human error, some are caused by mechanical failures. This is more common among tractor-trailers, due to the large loads they carry and the amount of miles they put on every day. The most common mechanical failures that led to crashes in 2022 included tire and wheel issues, brake failures, overloaded trailers, and power train failures.

Different Types of Truck Accidents

There are many types of accidents you may see on Pennsylvania roads. Some are similar to those affecting passenger vehicles, but others are unique to tractor-trailers because of their unusual size and shape. They include:

• Rear-end collisions: Trucks require longer stopping distances, making them more susceptible to rear-end collisions, especially in congested traffic. Tractor-trailers have sizable blind spots, and when drivers swerve in front of trucks and slow down, rear-end accidents may be unavoidable.
• Jackknife accidents: When a truck’s cab and trailer fold in on each other—creating the appearance of a jackknife—the driver loses control of the truck and it spins out of control until it loses momentum.
• Rollover accidents: Trucks are prone to rollover accidents, thanks to their high center of gravity and the massive amount of cargo they often carry. The damage can be catastrophic, particularly if the truck rolls over onto another vehicle.
• Underride accidents: These occur when a smaller vehicle becomes wedged beneath the trailer of a truck. As a result, the top of the smaller vehicle is torn off. The occupants of the smaller vehicle often suffer fatal or catastrophic injuries.
• Wide-turn accidents: Trucks require wide turns, and if a driver misjudges the turn, they may strike vehicles in neighboring lanes.

Understanding the type of truck accident you experienced is an essential part of determining liability and seeking the compensation you deserve.

Evidence in Downingtown Truck Accident Claims

Building a strong truck accident claim requires a substantial amount of evidence. Not only do you need to prove what happened, but you must be able to show that what occurred led to your injuries. Luckily, truck accidents generate an enormous amount of evidence. Your attorney may look into a wide range of evidence types, including:

• Accident scene photographs and video footage: Visual proof of the accident can paint a picture of what happened, the actions taken by both parties and what damage was caused along the way. When you take photos and video footage, ensure that you capture both vehicles’ license plates, road signs, lane markings, nearby buildings, and other identifying markers.
• Eyewitness testimony: Statements from witnesses who observed the accident often provide valuable insight into what happened and how the victim was injured after the collision. It’s important to talk to eyewitnesses as soon as possible, as memories fade rapidly after an accident.
• Trucking company records: Inspection reports, maintenance logs, hiring protocols, and driver records can uncover negligent hiring, missed inspections and maintenance needs, and FMCSA regulation violations.
• Electronic logging device data: While trucking company records can be a valuable source of information, they don’t always tell the whole story. In fact, when an accident occurs, companies may take steps to hide their FMCSA violations and careless inspection routines. ELD data gives a brutally honest picture of what happened before, during, and after a crash.

How Kingbird Legal Can Fight for You

At Kingbird Legal, we fight to help our clients seek justice after a truck accident. Truck accidents can cause hundreds of thousands of dollars in accidents, and without fair compensation, you’ll be left shouldering those expenses on your own. If another driver caused you severe injuries and financial losses, it is crucial to seek legal counsel as soon as possible.

From the very beginning, we’ll prioritize your best interests. We’ll investigate the accident and gather time-sensitive evidence. Once we’ve built the strongest case possible, we take it to the other party’s insurance company and demand a fair settlement. Most cases end in a settlement, but don’t worry—if they refuse to play fair, we are more than prepared to take your claim to court and make your case in front of a judge.

Reach Out Today to Start Your Truck Accident Claim

The sooner you connect with Kingbird Legal after a truck accident, the sooner we can start learning more about your accident and injuries. To schedule your consultation immediately, just contact us online or call us at 484-289-4880.