Pennsylvania Trucking Accidents

In 2006, the United States had 8.8 million registered large trucks, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). A large truck is defined as a truck with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) over 10,000 pounds.

The sheer number of trucks on U.S. and Pennsylvania roads makes truck accidents inevitable. The massive size of those vehicles means that when collisions occur between trucks and smaller vehicles such as passenger cars, the results can be catastrophic, leading to serious injury or death for the crash victims. Due to the extreme size of a tractor-trailer or 18-wheeler, smaller cars can be crushed and the passengers severely injured. Broken bones, head trauma and permanent injuries are not uncommon.

According to the PA Department of Transportation, there were 3,364 tractor-trailer wrecks in 2007 that resulted in injury and 178 that resulted in death. Total truck collisions involving heavy trucks in 2007 were the second highest since 2003, with a reported 7,087 accidents. Fatal truck accidents in 2007 were the second highest during the last five years. Only 1.9% of crash deaths in 2007 involved the occupants of those heavy trucks. For more information on this subject, review our Truck Accident Injury Statistics page.

About 320 of the heavy truck crashes in 2007 involved vehicle failures as primary contributing factors. The most common failures were brakes, tires and wheels, and unsecured or overloaded trailers.  For more information on this subject, review our Causes of Trucking Accidents page.

An 18-wheeler can cause an accident that involves multiple vehicles and multiple travel lanes. About three-fourths of all Pennsylvania truck collisions in 2007 occurred on federal interstates or state highways. The risk of a truck accident on Pennsylvania highways is only part of the story. Many tractor-trailers transport hazardous materials. When those chemicals are released at an accident scene, they can cause even more injury and death and delay first responders from delivering immediate aid to victims. Among the 196 truck crashes in 2007 where hazardous materials were part of the cargo, 39 resulted in a toxic spill or release.

If you’ve been involved in a serious truck accident, you’ve seen first-hand how devastating those crashes can be. In the stressful time following the tractor-trailer wreck, you'll be forced to deal with many tough decisions. You may be approached by insurance companies as they attempt to negotiate a settlement. Depending on the severity of the injury, you'll be facing numerous medical bills for hospitals, medicine, and possible future treatment or rehabilitation. You may be faced with the loss of income that a deceased family member provided. While the insurance company’s offer may look tempting, remember that they’re interested in minimizing their payout. A settlement with the insurer could mean you don’t get the fair compensation you deserve.

As the victim of another's negligence, you have the right to hire a competent Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer and take the issue to court. At Munley, Munley & Cartwright, our tractor-trailer wreck lawyers are dedicated to fighting for the rights of truck accident victims. We successfully handle cases involving large trucking companies in Pennsylvania and across our nation. Our PA truck accident attorneys are familiar with national and state trucking laws and understand how both trucking and insurance companies operate in legal matters. About 80% of our cases end in settlement before trial because the other side knows that the truck wreck lawyers of Munley, Munley & Cartwright fully prepare their cases -- and know how to win in court.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident in Pennsylvania, the truck accident attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright are standing by to help. Our professional and caring PA truck collision lawyers have more than 40 years of experience in representing the people of Pennsylvania in trucking accidents and winning compensation for our clients.

The Pennsylvania truck accident attorneys of Munley, Munley & Cartwright offer a free, no obligation consultation. If we accept your case, you don’t pay unless we win you monetary compensation. Contact us today at 1-800-318-LAW1 or contact us online.