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Philadelphia Truck Driver Negligence Attorneys

Most drivers throughout Pennsylvania know that it’s safer to give large commercial trucks extra space and stay out of a truck’s blind spots when traveling on the highway or city streets. These are only a few of many precautions motorists must take when driving alongside or near large trucks. However, even the most vigilant driver cannot always avoid an accident with a truck whose driver is negligent.

Truck drivers can be considered negligent when they fail to operate their vehicle in a reasonably safe manner. Whether or not a truck driver was negligent in causing a serious injury or fatal collision is often based on evidence as to whether the accident could have been prevented had it not been for inaction, distracted driving, disregard for safety rules, or oversight.

With the help of a truck accident attorney in Pennsylvania, individuals injured and family members of those killed in commercial truck crashes because of truck driver negligence can obtain compensation to help curb the costs associated with expenses, damages, and losses caused by the accident.

Unfortunately, truck driver negligence occurs in many forms. Some of the most common types of truck driver negligence include:

• Distracted driving;
• Texting or using a cell phone while driving;
• Reckless or aggressive driving practices;
• Violation of Hours-of-Service (HOS);
• Speeding;
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs;
• Failure to inspect the truck before driving;
• Failure to report necessary repairs or maintenance;
• Failure to stop or control the truck;
• Failure to use turn signals;
• Overloading the truck; and
• Improperly securing cargo.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) implements specific rules and regulations for truck drivers and the trucking companies that employ them. However, truckers and even trucking companies have been known to put profits ahead of safety or simply fail to make the effort to follow the law - and at a significant price to others on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2009, 3,380 fatalities and 74,000 injuries were the result of accidents involving large trucks. State and federal trucking rules and regulations are in place because of the tragic consequences caused by large trucks weighing tens of thousands of pounds colliding with much smaller vehicles.

Proving truck driver negligence is no easy task for someone without years of experience successfully handling truck accident cases. Fortunately, the Philadelphia trucking accident attorneys at Reiff and Bily have the legal knowledge and skill to win our clients’ cases. We know the ins and outs of how insurance companies negotiate for vehicle accident compensation and try to make you settle for a drastically smaller amount of money than you deserve and can actually obtain. Call our firm today at (800) 421-9595 to find out more about how we can protect your rights.

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(800) 421-9595
(215) 246-9000