If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in the Upper Darby area, you may face substantial medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The Upper Darby truck accident attorneys at The Reiff Law Firm represent the victims of truck accidents and fight to get them and their families the financial compensation they need.
With close access to Philadelphia and highways like the PA Turnpike, I-76, I-95, and the Blue Route, Upper Darby is at a crossroads where many truck accidents can occur. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident, do not settle for insurance payouts or low settlement offers from the trucking company. Instead, call The Reiff Law Firm today at (215) 709-6940 to schedule a free consultation on your case and find out what your claim could be worth in an injury lawsuit.
Truck Accident Laws
Many truck accidents are caused by serious traffic violations, driver error, drunk driving, and other issues. State traffic laws and federal trucking regulations work to keep other drivers and passengers on the road safe from 18-wheelers and tractor-trailers, but truck drivers and trucking companies may violate many of these rules. If the at-fault parties violated one of these laws, it may make it easier to prove your case against them.
PA traffic laws are in place to help drivers stay safe on the road. If a truck driver runs a red light, speeds, or makes a sudden turn without signaling, it can lead to serious accidents. Furthermore, Pennsylvania law protects drivers against drunk driving, drugged driving, reckless driving, and other problems with driver safety. If the truck driver who hit you was drunk or high when the accident occurred, your attorneys can use that against them in a court of law.
The federal government is responsible for most trucking regulations in PA. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) writes rules for truckers and trucking companies to help keep other drivers safe. Many of these laws deal with driver health and safety and trucking hours limits.
Drivers are required to pass medical examinations before they can be hired to drive a tractor-trailer. These medical exams check for problems with sight or hearing, motor control issues, and other disorders like diabetes and epilepsy which could lead to passing out or losing consciousness while driving. These rules do not screen for sleep apnea, but many trucking companies do, as this could also be a severe contributing factor to a trucking accident.
The FMCSA’s Hours of Service rules limit how much driving a truck driver can do. These limitations are in place to ensure that a truck driver is properly rested and alert before getting behind the wheel of a multi-ton piece of machinery. These rules give limitations for hours driven in one run, hours driven in a day, hours on-duty in a day (including break time), and weekly hour limits. Driving tired is nearly as dangerous as driving drunk, and the FMCSA’s rules are meant to prevent this.
Damages in an Upper Darby Truck Accident Injury Lawsuit
If you were injured in an accident, talk to an attorney about filing a lawsuit. The damages you receive in a settlement or an insurance payout are often too low to cover your needs in full. Because of this, you may need to file your case in court to get full financial compensation for your injuries and the other effects of the crash.
Auto insurance commonly covers damages for a portion of your medical expenses and lost wages. These policies often have limits that prevent victims from getting full compensation, and you may still end up with some financial losses if you file through insurance. Additionally, insurance policies typically refuse to pay damages for pain and suffering, which can be one of the most substantial parts of your lawsuit.
Instead, taking your case to court can open access to the full value of damages for medical expenses and lost wages, plus damages for pain and suffering. Medical expenses can be claimed to cover the cost of emergency transportation, medical imaging, surgery, ongoing treatment, and physical therapy. These damages are often quite high after a truck accident, as victims can face serious harm.
Damages for lost wages can include the wages you missed while you were recovering from your injuries as well as any wages you will miss going forward. If your injuries keep you from work for a prolonged period, you can claim damages for the full value of these wages now and going forward, including the reduced earning capacity if you must take a less demanding replacement job.
Damages for pain and suffering are unique to each case. The effects that the injury had on your life and your ability to perform activities, interact with your family, and perform housework all factor into these damages. The severity of your injuries and the pain of the recovery process are also defining factors for pain and suffering damages.
Call Our Upper Darby Truck Accident Lawyers Today
If you were injured in a truck accident in the Upper Darby area, call our Upper Darby truck accident injury lawyers today. The Reiff Law Firm’s legal team has decades of experience in personal injury law, and we may be able to take your case and fight to get you the compensation you and your family need. To schedule a free legal consultation with our truck accident attorneys, contact our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
