Stroudsburg Truck Accident Lawyer
Did you know that nearly 4,000 people died in large truck accidents in 2016? According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI), about 66 percent of those truck crash fatalities were occupants of smaller passenger vehicles, including cars and SUVs. Approximately 16 percent of the fatalities involved pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists, and 17 percent were large truck drivers. The rate of life-threatening and deadly truck accidents is on the rise, showing a 27 percent increase between 2009 and 2016.
Truck accidents can happen almost anywhere. Whether you are traveling on I-80 or are driving on a neighborhood street, a large truck collision can occur. Given that large trucks—also known as big rigs or 18-wheelers—tend to weigh around 20 to 30 times as much as a passenger vehicle and have greater ground clearance, many collisions involving large trucks and passenger vehicles result in fatalities. If you were involved in a recent trucking collision, or if you lost someone you love, you should speak with an aggressive Stroudsburg truck accident lawyer about your options for filing a claim.
Causes of Stroudsburg Truck Crashes
How do most truck accidents happen? There are many different causes of trucking collisions, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) large truck crash causation study, including but not limited to the following:
- Aggressive driving (for example, speeding or tailgating);
- Distracted driving (for example, using a cell phone behind the wheel);
- Drowsy or fatigued driving;
- Drunk driving;
- Poor truck maintenance;
- Improper truck loading;
- Defective truck part;
- Poor road conditions; and
- Inclement weather.
Responsibility for a Truck Accident in Stroudsburg
Who is responsible for a Stroudsburg truck accident? An injured plaintiff may be able to file a claim against multiple parties when a large truck crash occurs. Examples of potential defendants in a trucking accident may include any of the following:
- Truck driver;
- Driver of another motor vehicle;
- Motorcyclist;
- Owner of the truck;
- Trucking company owner;
- Loader of the truck cargo;
- Mechanic who worked on the truck;
- Auto garage that employs the mechanic;
- Designer of one of the truck parts;
- Manufacturer of one of the truck parts;
- Company that sold the truck or its parts; and/or
- Property owner where the accident took place.
How Long Do I Have to File a Stroudsburg Trucking Accident Lawsuit?
Under Pennsylvania law (42 Pa. Consol. Stat. § 5524), the statute of limitations for most truck accidents is two years from the date of the accident. Whether you are filing a negligence claim against the truck driver or another party, or a product liability lawsuit against the designer or manufacturer of the vehicle, you will need to file a claim within two years from the date of your injury.
If a plaintiff fails to file a claim within two years from the date of the accident, that plaintiff can be barred from filing a lawsuit to seek financial compensation for her losses.
Get Started on Your Truck Accident Claim with a Stroudsburg Truck Accident Lawyer
Two years might seem like a long time to consider filing a claim, but it is important to get started on your case as soon as possible with an experienced truck accident lawyer in Stroudsburg. An advocate at our firm can begin working on your claim today. Contact Needle Law Firm to learn more about how we can assist you.