With important shipping routes running through Delaware County, dozens of serious truck accidents take place there each year. Especially on highways like I-76 and I-476/The Blue Route, trucks can be a menace on the road. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident with an 18-wheeler or if a loved one was killed in a truck crash, contact the The Reiff Law Firm today.
The Reiff Law Firm’s Delaware Country truck accident lawyers represent injury victims in and around Delaware County in cases against large trucking companies and their drivers. Our attorneys do not back down against big trucking companies’ legal teams, and we fight to ensure our clients and their families are fairly compensated. To schedule a free consultation with our truck accident lawyers, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
Who Can You Sue for a Truck Accident in Delaware County?
Truck accidents in Delco may be caused by the truck driver or another driver on the road. If another driver caused the accident and the truck driver was a victim as well, you may not be able to sue the trucker or their employer. However, when the driver of a large truck causes a crash or the truck’s safety violations cause your injuries, you may be entitled to take both the driver and their trucking company to court.
A company is responsible for its employees’ actions and negligence. As long as the accident occurred while the driver was working in the scope of their employment, the trucking company that hired them should be financially responsible for any harm the employee caused. Trucking companies may try to fight claims by saying the driver was violating company policy and was outside the scope of their employment, but our attorneys are experienced fighting these kinds of defenses.
The driver is directly liable for any harm they cause behind the wheel. Whether the trucking company can be made to pay for damages or not, the driver is the one who directly caused the accident. To get compensation, you must take the driver to court; adding the trucking company merely gives additional backing to cover the damages. If your case against the trucking company fails for any reason, you may still be able to recover compensation from a lawsuit against the driver, potentially covered by their insurance.
The trucking company may also be directly liable for the accident. Instead of suing the trucking company only in their capacity as the driver’s employer, you may also be able to sue the company directly for its own errors. Their negligent hiring of a dangerous driver is their direct negligence, and they can be sued for this. Moreover, the trucking company is usually responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the truck, so any accidents caused by dangerous equipment could be the trucking company’s fault.
Regulations to Help Trucking Victims Sue for Injuries
To win your case against a truck driver and the trucking company that employs them, you must prove that the driver or the trucking company did something wrong. This is referred to as “negligence” under the law. Proving negligence means using rules or standard safety practices to show what the driver did wrong and how it contributed to your injuries. Aside from the normal rules of the road, there are additional regulations truckers and shipping companies must follow.
Truck drivers are bound to follow standard traffic laws. This means following any posted speed limits, signaling before making a turn or changing lanes, and driving between the lines. Many truck drivers fail to follow these rules after becoming too comfortable after hours on the road. Additionally, the size and weight of a truck often make it difficult for the driver to stay in their lane of travel while turning or to keep their vehicle under the speed limit. Truck drivers are also commonly found driving drunk or under the influence of drugs, which is illegal throughout Pennsylvania and the United States.
Trucking companies and the drivers they employ are also bound to follow other rules. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) writes rules and regulations for truckers dictating equipment maintenance and upkeep standards, the maximum hours for drivers, driver health standards, and other requirements that truck drivers and trucking companies must each follow. If an accident occurs because either the driver or the trucking company failed to follow these rules, the FMCSA regulations could help you prove how the driver and their employer were negligent.
Call Our Delaware County Trucking Victim Injury Lawyers Today
Truck accidents often cause severe injuries that require extensive medical treatment and missed work. Many of these injuries are exceedingly painful and lead to years of physical and mental suffering. If you or a loved one was injured in an accident involving an 18-wheeler or another large, commercial vehicle, contact The Reiff Law Firm today. Do not rely on medical insurance or your car insurance to cover your bills; call our law offices today to see what your truck accident lawsuit might be worth. To schedule a free, confidential consultation on your potential case, call (215) 709-6940 today.
