Truck accidents are often more harmful to the drivers and passengers in other cars than they are to the truck. The size and weight of trucks helps protect the driver but also make them a danger on the road, and thousands of Americans are killed and injured each year in serious truck accidents.
York County covers the intersection of I-83 and Route 30, and its proximity to both Harrisburg and Baltimore make it an important trade hub. This means that millions of trucks pass through the area every year, potentially putting you and your family at risk. If you or a loved one was injured in a truck accident in York County, contact the York County truck accident lawyers at The Reiff Law Firm today. Our attorneys offer free legal consultations on potential truck accident lawsuits. Call (215) 709-6940 today to schedule your free consultation.
Who Do You Sue for a Truck Accident in York, PA?
In any auto accident, the driver is immediately responsible for the crash. However, truck accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents often have multiple parties who can be considered at-fault for the crash.
The driver of the large truck is not automatically responsible for a crash simply because they were driving a larger vehicle. Instead, there must be some identifiable error that the driver made, which you can use to prove they were at fault. Many accidents arise from a driver who fails to check their blind spot, drives under the influence, or drives while drowsy. Other accidents result from traffic violations, such as running a red light, failing to yield to oncoming traffic while turning left, or speeding.
If the driver is at fault for the accident, you may be able to hold their employer responsible as well. Common court rules allow you to hold the employer responsible when an employee commits acts of negligence while working within the scope of their job duties. Trucking companies may attempt to avoid blame by saying that the driver was in violation of company policy when the accident happened, but our attorneys are prepared to fight these kinds of defenses.
The trucking company may also share some of the direct blame for the accident. If the accident was caused by faulty equipment, the trucking company is usually responsible. If the company put a dangerous vehicle on the road after failing to properly maintain its tires, its engine, or any other parts of the equipment, they could be directly responsible for the accident. The trucking company can be similarly responsible for putting a dangerous driver behind the wheel. Negligent hiring or retention is often a claim you can add to your lawsuit to hold the trucking company partly liable.
In any case, the trucker or the trucking company may have insurance that covers the damages.
Should I Settle My Truck Accident Case?
Trucking companies often employ big legal teams to shut down claims before they make their way to court. One method commonly used is to offer low settlements that fail to cover your needs. Many people jump at the opportunity to receive a lump sum after a truck crash, but these damages may fail to cover your full medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering damages.
Never accept a settlement until you speak with an attorney about what your case is worth. Our attorneys can help guide you to understanding how much compensation you may be able to claim in court. In many cases, you sacrifice some of these damages by settling your case early.
In a jury trial, the jury calculates your damages. This means they can typically award you the full value of any damages you claim. The highest portion of these damages is often pain and suffering, which a sympathetic jury may value at substantial amounts.
Many other opportunities arise to settle your case through insurance claims. If you make an insurance claim against the truck driver’s insurance, it may be impossible to get full damages for your case. Insurance policies typically cover medical expenses and lost income at only a fraction of the full price. Additionally, most insurance policies will not pay damages for pain and suffering. Instead, you may be required to take your case to court to claim full damages.
Call Our York Trucking Victim Lawyers for a Free Consultation
The Reiff Law Firm’s York County truck accident attorneys have decades of experience handling personal injury and truck accident cases in Pennsylvania. If you or a loved one faced serious injuries in a truck accident, contact our attorneys today. Our lawyers offer free legal consultations to help you understand your potential claim and how much your case could be worth. To schedule a free consultation to discuss your case, call our law offices today at (215) 709-6940.
