Jenkintown Truck Accident Attorneys

Jenkintown, PA Truck Accident Lawyers Fight to Protect the Rights of the Injured

With a population hovering around 5,000 people and a convenient location near Philadelphia, Jenkintown offers the slower pace of country life combined with the convenience of big-city access. 

Every day, thousands of vehicles pass through the Jenkintown area. Many travel toward Philadelphia, while others head deeper into Montgomery County. These include large trucks making deliveries or transporting goods and materials to keep businesses running. 

While these large trucks are essential to the local economy, they also create risks on the roads. A collision with a large truck can cause severe injuries or even death to those who suffer its impact. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck crash, talk to an experienced Jenkintown truck accident lawyer today. 

Pennsylvania Truck Accident Statistics

After a record low in crash deaths in 2019, Pennsylvania’s roadway crash deaths rose in 2020 and 2021, only to drop again in 2022. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) tracks Pennsylvania car and truck crash statistics, looking for ways to reduce the number of deaths and severe injuries in roadway collisions. 

Although vehicle crash deaths were down in 2022, truck crashes did not follow this trend. In 2022, Pennsylvania recorded its highest rate of total truck crashes in five years. PennDOT recorded 7,522 truck crashes in 2022一more than 2018, which saw 7,336 crashes and nearly 1,200 more than the 2020 low of 6,344 accidents. 

2022 also showed a higher number of fatal truck crash injuries than any of the previous five years. In 2022, 145 people were killed in a truck collision in Pennsylvania. 

Top Causes of Truck Crashes in Jenkintown and Montgomery County

PennDOT also tracks the causes of truck crashes on roads in the state. PennDOT’s statistics include crashes that occur in Jenkintown and Montgomery County.

The causes of a truck crash vary, depending on the facts of each situation. Common causes include vehicle failures, bad weather, and errors by truck drivers or others on the road. Many truck crashes involve more than one cause or party at fault, making these cases complex. 

Vehicle Failure

According to PennDOT, vehicle failures are a common cause of Pennsylvania truck crashes. Nearly any part of a truck may fail if it contains a defect or is not properly maintained. 

While vehicle failures can occur in nearly any part of the vehicle, some failures are more common than others. In 2022:

• 116 crashes were caused by tire or wheel problems on large trucks.
• 94 crashes were caused by brake-related issues, including brake failure.
• 48 crashes occurred because cargo or a trailer was not properly secured or was overloaded.

Other vehicle failures that caused truck crashes in Pennsylvania in 2022 included power train failures (17), total steering system failures (17), trailer hitch or improper towing issues (5), exhaust system failures (4), suspension failures (3), and lighting-related issues (2). 

When a large truck takes to the road, more than one party may be responsible for its safe operation. Drivers have a responsibility to check their trucks for obvious safety problems. A trucking company also has a duty to keep its trucks in good working order to protect its drivers and others on the road. A company that loads cargo must ensure the cargo is properly secured and the truck is not overloaded. Mechanics who work on trucks are responsible for carrying out repairs safely. Manufacturers who make and assemble truck parts must also build trucks that are reasonably safe for their intended use. If any of these parties fail in their responsibilities, serious injuries can result. 

Driver Error

The driver of a truck or another vehicle can also cause a truck crash by their actions. In a multi-vehicle crash, more than one driver may be responsible. 

Ways in which driver error can lead to a crash may include:

• A truck driver dozes off behind the wheel. 
• A truck driver becomes distracted and doesn’t pay attention to the road.
• A truck driver tries to do something unsafe, like pass another vehicle without enough space, change lanes without signaling, or make a too-tight turn. 
• Another driver on the road makes a dangerous maneuver, like cutting off a large truck, triggering a crash between that truck and another nearby vehicle. 

Other scenarios may also occur. It’s vital in any truck crash claim to unravel who is at fault and how their actions led to the crash. Doing so can be complicated, however. That’s why injured people and their families need the help of experienced Jenkintown truck crash lawyers. 

Common Injuries in Jenkintown Truck Collisions

Federal regulations allow large trucks to weigh up to 80,000 pounds and stand 14 feet high. By comparison, the average passenger vehicle weighs about 3,500 pounds and stands about 4 to 5 feet tall. When these two vehicles collide, the risk of injury – especially to those in the smaller vehicle – is extremely high.

Common types of injuries in Pennsylvania truck crashes include:

Back and Neck Injuries

Back and neck injuries are common in car accidents, including large truck crashes. Whiplash, herniated discs, and other injuries may occur during a crash. Because these injuries aren’t always obvious right away, it’s important to see a doctor even if you think you weren’t hurt. 

Brain and Head Injuries

Injuries to the skull, head, and brain can also occur during a truck crash. For example, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) like concussions can result. Even a mild concussion can cause stubborn, ongoing problems with memory, mood, and focus, plus other symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and nausea or vomiting. It’s essential to get medical treatment as soon as possible if you suspect a brain or head injury. 

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord runs from the brain down the spine. It connects the brain with all the other parts of the body, allowing the brain to send signals to other body parts. Spinal cord injuries can cause permanent paralysis and other lifelong problems. They can also be tough to treat and require expensive lifelong care. Even mild injuries can require an extended period of healing and rehabilitation. 

Burns

If a vehicle catches fire during a crash, thermal burns from the fire may result. Chemical burns are also possible if chemicals leak from a vehicle’s engine or a truck transporting hazardous materials. Those involved in a crash may also suffer electrical burns if a vehicle’s wiring is exposed during a crash. 

Amputations

The forces generated in a crash can, in some cases, sever a person’s fingers, toes, or limbs. In some crashes, a body part is not completely removed by the crash, but it is so badly injured it must be amputated later to save the person’s life. An amputation requires a long period of rehabilitation and often challenges survivors to re-learn basic life activities. 

Broken Bones

Broken bones may occur during a crash. They may need surgery, in which a physician inserts rods, screws, pins, or plates to hold the bones together as they heal. Depending on the location and type of break, this hardware may be permanent – causing lifelong pain or sensitivity at the site. Some hardware can be removed with additional surgeries, which means additional medical costs, pain, and recovery time. 

Internal Injuries

Internal injuries affect the internal organs, like the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, or digestive system. Severe internal injuries can occur even if there is no visible damage to the body. These injuries may come from the force of the crash directly or from safety features like airbags. 

Scarring and Disfigurement

Scars and disfigurement may occur from the crash itself or necessary medical care after a crash, like surgery to fix a broken bone. These marks are often permanent. They can cause pain and restricted mobility. They also serve as a mental and emotional burden when they remind someone of the crash that changed their life forever. 

Many truck crash survivors have more than one type of injury, more than one injured body part, or both. These injuries can become complex, requiring more intense medical treatment because they occur together. An experienced attorney can help you seek compensation for your medical bills following a crash. 

What to Expect in a Jenkintown Truck Wreck Case

Time Limits to File a Pennsylvania Truck Accident Case

In Pennsylvania, the statute of limitations sets a time limit on filing certain court claims. For personal injury claims, that time limit is two years. 

Typically, you have two years from the date of your injury to file a claim in court. If you don’t bring your claim within these two years, the Pennsylvania courts will likely refuse to hear your case. 

While some exceptions apply to the two-year time limit, they tend to be narrow. It’s important to speak to an attorney as soon as possible after your crash. A lawyer can determine exactly when the two-year deadline arrives in your case and can work to protect your legal rights. 

Compensation in a Jenkintown Truck Crash Claim

Injured people file truck accident claims to seek compensation for their losses. Compensation covers a wide range of losses, including:

• Medical bills, including emergency care costs, ambulance costs, surgeries, doctor’s appointments, prescriptions, and medical equipment like wheelchairs. 
• Lost wages if you have to miss work due to your injuries. 
• The costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle. 
• Any other financial losses you had as a result of the crash. 

Compensation may also cover losses that aren’t directly financial. Known as “non-economic damages,” these losses may include:

• Pain and suffering related to your crash injuries.
• Mental and emotional trauma after the crash. 
• Loss of enjoyment of activities and life events you can no longer do because of your injuries. 
• Scarring or disfigurement if your injuries leave permanent marks. 

Every Pennsylvania truck accident case is unique. What happened in a friend’s case won’t be exactly what happens in yours. To understand your unique case, speak to an experienced Jenkintown truck accident lawyer. 

Speak to a Dedicated Jenkintown Truck Accident Law Firm Today

Truck accidents can be devastating. If you or someone you love has been injured in a truck crash, you already know how difficult these collisions can be. 

You don’t have to face the future alone. Talk to the dedicated Jenkintown truck accident attorneys at MyPhillyLawyer today. Our experienced legal team will help you understand your rights and options, so you can make an informed choice. To schedule a free, confidential case evaluation, contact us today.