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Under federal law, fully loaded tractor-trailers traveling on interstate highways can weigh a maximum of 80,000 pounds, making them by far the biggest and heaviest vehicles on any road. All that mass makes these vehicles difficult to operate in a safe manner without extensive training and experience, in large part due to their low center of gravity and their likelihood of tipping over during sharp turns or skids.
Professional truck drivers are expected to take proper steps to minimize the risks of rollover truck accidents in Philadelphia, and any trucker who causes a rollover wreck by acting irresponsibly should be held liable for the consequences of their misconduct. A knowledgeable truck accident attorney can demand fair financial recovery from the trucker directly involved in a crash and potentially from other entities who bear some—or most—of the fault for causing your injuries.
How Negligence Can Lead to a Semi-Truck Rolling Over
The majority of rollover truck accidents that happen in and around Philadelphia happen on curves. A truck driver who is speeding, not paying attention, or driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol may take a turn too quickly or at an awkward angle and cause their truck’s center of gravity to shift far enough to cause the vehicle to overturn. Rollovers also commonly happen due to a sudden loss of traction leading to a tractor-trailer skidding sideways across the road surface, which can stem from unsafe road conditions, failing to account for inclement weather, or a mechanical malfunction.
Rollover wrecks, while often the fault of an individual truck driver, can sometimes be traced back to negligence by third parties who were not present at the accident scene. For instance, if a mechanic fails to ensure a truck’s brakes and tires are in safe working order prior to transit, a malfunction that leads to a rollover could be the mechanic’s fault more than the person behind the wheel of the truck. If suppliers fail to properly secure cargo in a truck’s trailer, that cargo may shift during transit and affect the truck’s overall center of gravity, leading to a rollover crash even when the truck’s driver did nothing wrong. Guidance from seasoned legal counsel can be key to identifying everyone who may have played a part in causing an accident and should be held accountable.
Getting Paid Fairly for All Available Damages
A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand in Philadelphia should account for every past and expected future effect a rollover truck crash will have on an injured individual’s life. Examples of damages someone may be able to pursue financial compensation for include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Personal property damage, including vehicle replacement/repair costs
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses
- Psychological and emotional trauma
- Lost working ability and/or earnings
In accident cases involving egregious negligence, a court may impose additional punitive damages against the person or people at fault for the wreck in addition to compensatory damages awarded to the injured plaintiff. However, this is a rare outcome reserved for exceptional situations, such as accidents caused by drunk driving. A knowledgeable legal professional can further explain what types of compensation may be available in a particular accident case.
Discuss a Potential Rollover Truck Accident Claim With a Philadelphia Attorney
Rollover wrecks involving commercial trucks can cause devastating injuries to multiple people at once, often with life-altering consequences. Anyone who contributes to causing a crash through their own negligence should be held accountable for their actions, and representation from experienced legal counsel can be vital to doing just that.
After a rollover truck accident in Philadelphia, you have assistance available from a tenacious attorney with a track record of positive case results. Call Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys, today to schedule a consultation.
