The weight and size of commercial trucks mean that any collision between trucks and cars can have devastating consequences for the smaller vehicle’s occupants. Safety features like airbags and seatbelts are primarily designed to protect people from head-on and rear-end collisions. Unfortunately, these features are less equipped to protect occupants in a crash that involves a semi-truck T-boning or sideswiping a car.
Whether on a highway or in an intersection, side-impact truck accidents in Philadelphia can have devastating and even permanent consequences. If you want a fair shot at achieving fair compensation for your losses, you should seek assistance from a truck accident attorney experienced with handling these types of collisions.
Establishing Liability in a T-Bone Truck Wreck
Side-impact auto accidents commonly happen where two or more roads intersect perpendicularly. They can also occur while multiple vehicles are merging onto or off a highway or navigating a cramped parking lot at the same time. Regardless of the specific circumstances, any ensuing civil claim must demonstrate that another party was negligent.
A truck driver is negligent and therefore liable for causing harm if they directly cause a collision to happen by acting in a reckless way contrary to their “duty.” Trucks are more difficult to control, and so the duty of care truck drivers must follow to avoid accidents is particularly strict. In the context of a side-impact crash negligence could include anything from an overt traffic violation to a momentary lapse in concentration. An experienced attorney in Philadelphia can help demonstrate how a side-impact truck accident would likely not have happened were it not for the trucker’s irresponsible actions.
Compensation Based on Comparative Fault
A successful side-impact crash claim can seek restitution for both economic and non-economic losses, such as:
- Past and future medical bills, including related costs such as assistive equipment and in-home care
- Lost working capacity and/or income
- Personal property damage
- Physical pain and discomfort from injuries
- Emotional and psychological trauma from injuries and the accident
- Lost quality/enjoyment of life
Full compensation for losses caused by a side-impact truck crash in Philadelphia is only possible if the injured person can prove someone else caused the accident. As per 42 Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes § 7102, a court can also evaluate the portion of fault assigned to a plaintiff based on their own negligence. For example, if the injured person committed a traffic violation prior to a T-bone wreck, they may be found partially at fault for the resulting injuries and losses.
Courts can use this comparative fault against the plaintiff to reduce their total compensation or even bar them from getting anything at all. It is essential to seek experienced legal representation that can defend against frustrating allegations of comparative fault.
Contact a Philadelphia Attorney for Help with a Side-Impact Truck Accident Case
Recovering after any accident can be a long, slow, and traumatic process, even if you only suffered minor physical injuries. Unfortunately, T-bone truck accidents increase the risk of suffering catastrophic injuries and long-term consequences. No matter what, you deserve fair financial restitution for any losses you suffered because of a truck driver’s misconduct.
After a side-impact truck accident in Philadelphia, a seasoned legal professional’s support could be essential to getting the compensation you deserve for the injuries you should never have suffered. Schedule your free consultation with Lowenthal & Abrams, Injury Attorneys today to get started.