Truck & Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Kraemer, Manes & Associates LLC is a personal injury law firm serving victims of accidents in Pennsylvania. We represent people hurt by tractor-trailer trucks and other commercial vehicles (buses, delivery vehicles, construction vehicles, etc.) to make sure they are fairly compensated for their injuries.  On the road, trucks and commercial vehicles are many times larger than a normal passenger vehicles, which means that a physical impact is not a fair fight. We work to turn the tide of the legal fight in your favor. Call a KM&A commercial vehicle accident lawyer at 412-626-5626 or email us at lawyer@lawkm.com. 

When should you contact a truck or commercial vehicle accident lawyer?

If someone you know has been involved in a semi truck or commercial vehicle accident, speak with an experienced injury attorney immediately. Unfortunately, trucks, buses, and delivery vehicles cause accidents and injuries all the time. Swift action is so important because insurance companies are experts at quickly (1) inducing the injured person to sign full release, (2) undermining the injured’s legal case, and (3) undervaluing the worth of the injuries. If you want the best recovery to compensate you for your injuries, it is vital that the case is handled professionally from the start.  An early misstep may completely ruin the chance of a good result.

Why you need an attorney for a truck accident?

The insurance companies who cover 18-wheeler trucking companies and other commercial drivers have one goal in mind: reduce their liability and exposure. They don’t want to pay you fair compensation for your injuries. They try to avoid responsibility, and in fact, they have entire departments dedicated to minimizing the amount of money they pay to victims of truck accidents caused by their customers. Here are the top 3 reasons to retain a commercial vehicle accident attorney:

Truck and Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer: 412-626-5626

• Insincere Insurance Agents – The semi trucker’s insurance company might call you after the accident to ask if you and your family are “okay.” Remember, their job is not to take care of you, it’s to take care of their customer and to take care of their company’s bottom line. If they can find a way to avoid paying you the fair amount you deserve, they will. They may offer you quick money thinking that you will accept any amount in desperation without consulting with an injury lawyer to find out the full extent of your legal rights. They may engage in stalling tactics to drag your claim out if you refuse their first offer. They may try to sneak in language in a release agreement that gives up all of your rights to sue when you thought you were just settling part of the case.
• Evidence –  Think about the accident that occurred. What if truck driver suddenly and inexplicably changed his entire story? You can bet he will be pressured by his company, their insurance provider, and their attorneys. As an injured party, you can’t afford to trust that the commercial driver who caused the accident will look out for your best interests. You need a professional to take over and manage gathering the independent evidence that will bolster your claim in the legal battle.
• Money Settlements  – Valuing a semi truck or commercial vehicle injury case is a complicated process. There are a number of unique variables involved, including the accident and the injured person, actuarial tables of prior awards, assessed strength of the case, and the extent of the injuries and damages. As a broad evaluation, we know that the typical categories for recoverable damages include those listed below in the next section.

What kind of monetary compensation are you entitled to?

The big question most clients have is “how much is my accident/injury case worth?” Every case is different at the detailed level, but there are some things that are generally true. You may be entitled to compensation in a number of different categories. The most common categories for monetary compensation are below:

• Medical Costs – Costs include treatment by physicians, medical centers, clinics, hospitals, emergency rooms, ambulances, paramedics, chiropractors, and physical therapists, other licensed professionals and the cost of medical devices. Future medical costs may be recovered as well.
• Pain and Suffering, Disability, and Mental and Emotional Distress – Damages include physical pain, disfigurement, discomfort, loss of ability to work, inability to partake in recreational activities, and mental distress and emotional trauma including fear, anxiety, grief, shock, PTSD, loss of dignity, embarrassment, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of Earnings and Earning Capacity – Damages include the loss wages, including other benefits, and expected future earning capacity if the ability to earn money has been impaired.
• Loss of Consortium – If you are married or in a domestic partnership you may recover for the loss of the benefits of married or domestic partnered life.
• Property Damage – You can recover the value of your property that was damaged in the accident.
• Other Economic and Out of Pocket Costs – In addition to the economic costs associated with the items described above, you may recover damages for other economic harm and out of pocket expenses.

Common factors involved in causing truck accidents

One of the important aspects to investigate is what caused the accident and who is at fault. There are a number of reasons that can cause a truck or tractor-trailer to collide with your vehicle:

• Exhaustion
• Intoxication
• Defective equipment
• Poor training
• Inexperience
• High speeds
• Illegal practices

As we investigate the cause of the accident and who is at fault, we will also be investigating the responsible parties. Those parties can include the semi truck driver, the trucking company, and the tractor trailer truck manufacturer.

Red flags – when you should never go without a truck injury lawyer

It is always wise to consult with an attorney to make sure you don’t give up valuable claims and settle with an insurance company for a fraction of the true cost of the injuries. With that said, there are certain red flags that make it even more important that you are represented by an attorney. Red flags include these kinds of accidents involving 18-wheeler semi trucks or commercial vehicles:

• There are serious injuries.
• The injury has the potential for long-term long-term repercussions.
• The other driver or drivers are uninsured or underinsured.
• There is a potential for a dispute over who was at fault.
• A claims adjuster is quickly offering to write a check.
• A claims adjuster is requesting the injured to sign legal documents.
• The compensation is insufficient and does not fully compensated for current and future medical costs.
• The statutes of limitation laws may come into effect before you can challenge the settlement claim on your own.

If your case involves any of the above, don’t wait any longer before consulting with a lawyer.

Pennsylvania Injury Lawyers

Kraemer, Manes & Associates is dedicated to serving our clients in the best way possible. We are responsive. We are high-tech. We are fast and efficient. Most importantly, we are prepared to fight for you. With our main office in Pittsburgh, we represent injured people from accidents anywhere in Pennsylvania.

To learn more about how this Pennsylvania accident law firm can help after your commercial vehicle collision, or to discuss your accident claim with an experienced personal injury lawyer, call KM&A at (412) 626-5626.