Lawyers for Truck Accidents Due To Company Negligence in Erie, PA
Erie, PA Truck Accident Lawyers Represent Victims Injured in Truck Accidents That Are The Result Of Company Negligence
Any motor vehicle accident can be complicated due to the type of accident that occurred, the number of vehicles involved in the accident, and other factors. Truck accidents in particular can be complex because the injury claims process often involves several different entities who all share some level of responsibility for the accident. When a truck accident is due to company negligence, holding the trucking company accountable is particularly challenging — most insurance carriers will argue that the company is not responsible for the accident, or that they are not the only entity that is to blame.
Let us help. Skilled truck accident attorneys at Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. have extensive experience handling all types of truck accident claims, and our team brings unique, firsthand insight into the inner workings of insurance companies.
Related: What are come common examples of negligence or carelessness?
Common Causes Of Pennsylvania Truck Accidents
While all motor vehicles operate with some level of risk, trucks face increased risks simply due to their size and weight. Some of the most common causes of truck accidents in Pennsylvania include the following:
- Truck size in comparison to the size of a standard motor vehicle
- Weight of the truck and its impact on maneuvering and stopping
- Hazards of work zones
- Large blind spots
- Poor road conditions
- Making wide turns
- Making sudden stops
- Lane shifts
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs
- Truck driver fatigue
Related: Shipping Weight
When A Trucking Company Is Responsible For Your Accident
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates and provides safety procedures for commercial motor vehicles. The agency’s goal is to keep our nation’s roadways safe and to improve the safety for commercial motor vehicles. When a trucking company does not adhere to these federal regulations and guidelines, that trucking company can be held both legally and financially responsible for any accidents that take place as a result of the company’s negligence.
Current federal laws stipulate that when companies own trucking permits, those companies are responsible for any accidents involving their trucks, regardless of the lease agreements with truck operators or whether the driver was an employee or an independent contractor.
Truck Accidents May Involve Several Different Parties
Truck accidents may involve several different parties, and each of those entities may bear some level of responsibility for your accident. These entities may include:
- The driver of the truck
- The owner of the truck
- The individual or company that leased the truck from the owner
- The truck manufacturer
- The manufacturer of the truck parts
- The manufacturer of the truck tires
- The party that shipped or loaded of the truck’s cargo
When there are several parties involved in a truck accident, a significant amount of finger-pointing often ensues as each party argues that someone else is to blame for the accident. The truck company may argue that defective brakes are to blame; the manufacturer of the brakes may blame the leasing company for not properly maintaining the brakes. And on and on it goes.
At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C., we don’t give up when the going gets rough. Our skilled team fights for the rights of truck accident victims every step of the way, and we don’t stop until the parties responsible for your truck accident are held accountable.
Pennsylvania Truck Accident Victims May Hold Trucking Companies Responsible For Their Accident Injuries And Other Losses
If you have been injured in a truck accident due to company negligence, you are protected under personal injury law. You may file a personal injury claim to recover compensation for your truck accident injuries and other losses, known as “damages”. These damages may include — but are not limited to — any of the following losses:
- Medical bills
- Hospital expenses
- Surgical bills
- Cost of rehabilitative treatment
- Future anticipated medical expenses that are the result of the accident
- Cost of prescription medications
- Expenses for diagnostic testing, lab work, and imaging
- Emotional pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Lost wages due to time away from work
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of enjoyment in life
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of earned vacation time
- Loss of earned sick time
Questions About Your Pennsylvania Truck Accident Claim? Schedule A Free Case Evaluation
Experiencing a truck accident is traumatic and figuring out the next steps can be overwhelming and confusing. Let us help. At Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. our experienced truck accident attorneys offer a free case evaluation so that you can get answers to your questions regarding your truck accident claim and make the most informed decision possible in your situation.
About Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie, Pennsylvania is a city that is located on the south shore of Lake Erie. Erie is known as the “Flagship City” and is also referred to as “Gem City”. Erie is the county seat of Erie County and is not only the fourth-largest city in Pennsylvania — Erie is also the largest city in northwestern Pennsylvania. The local economy in Erie includes various industries — from technology, manufacturing, health care, and service industries to higher education and tourism.
Notable Results
Purchase, George & Murphey, P.C. publishes the following results.
$1.25 Million verdict · $700,000 settlement
Read more about these results
- $1.25 million verdict: McKean County car accident. Read the source account.
- $700,000 settlement: Motorcycle fatality; the underinsured motorist carrier paid the policy limits. Read the source account.
- $325,000 settlement: Truck driver’s injury claim grown from an initial offer of zero in six months. Read the source account.
- $260,000 evaluation: Rear-end accident underinsured motorist claim. Read the source account.
- $200,000 settlement: Pennsylvania premises liability case. Read the source account.
- $185,000 settlement: Accident settlement for a C5-C6 herniation requiring vertebral fusion. Read the source account.
Read the firm’s published results
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Each case is different and must be evaluated on its own facts.
What Our Clients Say
These excerpts describe experiences with the firm. They are not identified as cases in this practice area and do not predict another outcome.
“I am grateful to Mr. George, Lisa, Kim and everyone else involved at this office . Mr. George is in my opinion the best attorney in the area. If you need defended against false allegations, call this law firm first.”
— Wayne · Read the full Google review
“I had the pleasure of working with Craig Murphey on a recent case. Craig took the time to meet with me and my family to make sure we understood the complexities of the case and had reasonable expectations. He worked closely with us to ensure we were comfortable with his approach and ultimately obtained a positive outcome.”
— Kevin · Read the full Google review
Frequently Asked Questions About Pennsylvania Truck Accidents Due To Company Negligence
I was injured in a truck accident, and the trucking company’s insurance adjuster offered me a quick settlement. Do I have to take it?
No — you do not need to accept the initial settlement offer provided by the trucking company’s insurance adjuster. In fact, it is in your best interest not to accept. Initial settlement offers are typically offers that fall well below the compensation that you deserve. If you have received an initial settlement offer for your truck accident, it is best to consult with an experienced truck accident attorney regarding your next steps.
What kind of compensation can I expect to receive for my truck accident injuries?
Every truck accident is different — the injuries sustained vary, and the circumstances surrounding each accident are unique. Because there is no “one-size-fits-all” when it comes to truck accident claims, to receive an estimate on the level of compensation you may recover for your truck accident, it is best to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney who can evaluate your particular case.
Awards & Recognition
- AV Preeminent® — Martindale-Hubbell’s highest peer review rating for ethics and legal ability.
- Pennsylvania Super Lawyers — all three firm principals named to the list; Craig Murphey has been selected every year since 2011 and Eric Purchase every year since 2013.
- The Best Lawyers in America® — Craig Murphey listed since 2012 and named “Lawyer of the Year” for the Pittsburgh region in Personal Injury–Defense (2017) and Insurance Law (2019 and 2023); Tim Riley listed since 2008.
- Avvo — 10.0 “Superb” rating and Client’s Choice Awards for criminal defense and DUI defense.
- The National Trial Lawyers — Top 100 Trial Lawyers.
