1. Kline & Specter, P.C.
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, product liability.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, override accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on truck collisions, cargo spill accidents, hazardous material truck accidents, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents.
Legal Services: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, electronic logging device (ELD) data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, punitive damage claims, wrongful death claims.
Background: Philadelphia personal injury firm with over 40 lawyers. The firm has achieved numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Tom Kline has been named to various legal rankings. The firm handles complex trucking accident litigation throughout Pennsylvania.
Location: 1525 Locust Street, 19th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Contact: (215) 772-1000 | https://www.klinespecter.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement (no fee unless recovery is obtained).
2. Raynes & Lawn
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, vicarious liability claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, accident reconstruction, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.
Background: Philadelphia personal injury law firm established in 1953. The firm has achieved significant verdicts and settlements in trucking accident cases. Attorneys are admitted to practice in Pennsylvania state and federal courts.
Location: 1845 Walnut Street, 20th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: (215) 568-6190 | https://www.rayneslaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis.
3. The Rothenberg Law Firm LLP
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries, construction accidents.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, property damage claims.
Background: Personal injury firm with offices in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey. The firm has recovered over $1 billion for clients since 1969. The firm handles trucking accident cases throughout the region.
Location: 150 S. Independence Mall W, Suite 700, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Contact: (800) 624-8888 | https://www.injurylawyer.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no fee unless recovery.
4. Anapol Weiss
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, tanker truck accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries from trucking collisions, product liability.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, override accidents, wide turn accidents, blind spot accidents, rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, tire blowout accidents, driver fatigue accidents, hazardous material accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, vicarious liability claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, wrongful death claims, punitive damage claims.
Background: Philadelphia personal injury firm handling complex trucking accident litigation. The firm has achieved substantial verdicts and settlements in catastrophic injury cases. Attorneys have significant trial experience.
Location: One Logan Square, 130 N. 18th Street, Suite 1600, Philadelphia, PA 19103
Contact: (215) 735-0364 | https://www.anapolweiss.com
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee arrangement.
5. Mincey Fitzpatrick Ross, LLC
Practice Focus: Truck accidents, 18-wheeler accidents, semi-truck collisions, commercial vehicle accidents, delivery truck accidents, construction vehicle accidents, bus accidents, wrongful death from truck accidents, catastrophic injuries.
Case Types Handled: Jackknife accidents, rollover accidents, underride accidents, wide turn accidents, rear-end collisions with trucks, head-on collisions, brake failure accidents, driver fatigue accidents, overloaded truck accidents, cargo spill accidents.
Legal Services: FMCSR compliance investigation, trucking company negligence claims, driver negligence claims, hours of service violation investigation, ELD data analysis, black box data retrieval, insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, wrongful death claims.
Background: Philadelphia personal injury law firm focusing on serious injury and wrongful death cases. The firm handles trucking accident cases throughout Pennsylvania.
Location: 123 S. Broad Street, Suite 1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109
Contact: (215) 525-5200 | https://www.mfrinjurylaw.com
Consultation: Free consultation available, contingency fee basis.
Truck Accident Laws and Regulations in Pennsylvania
Statute of Limitations: Pennsylvania provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from truck accidents under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5524(2). The deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the statute of limitations is also two years from the date of death.
Property Damage Claims: Claims for property damage resulting from truck accidents must be filed within two years of the accident date under Pennsylvania law.
Choice No-Fault Insurance System: Pennsylvania operates under a choice no-fault auto insurance system. Drivers can choose between traditional fault-based coverage or no-fault (limited tort) coverage. Drivers who choose limited tort may only sue for pain and suffering in cases of serious injury. Those who choose full tort coverage can pursue all damages regardless of injury severity.
Comparative Negligence: Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence rule under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 7102. An injured party can recover damages only if they are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If the injured party is found to be 51% or more at fault, they are barred from recovering any damages. If the injured party is 50% or less at fault, their recovery will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Pennsylvania requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $15,000 per person for bodily injury, $30,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $5,000 for property damage (15/30/5). First party medical benefits of $5,000 are also required.
Commercial Truck Insurance Requirements: Commercial trucks operating in interstate commerce must carry minimum liability coverage as required by federal law. Trucks carrying non-hazardous freight over 10,001 pounds must carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage. Trucks hauling hazardous materials may require $1 million to $5 million in coverage.
Vicarious Liability: Pennsylvania recognizes respondeat superior, holding employers vicariously liable for accidents caused by employees acting within the scope of their employment. Trucking companies can be held liable for negligent acts of their employed drivers.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations: Federal trucking regulations, including hours of service rules and vehicle maintenance requirements under 49 CFR, are applicable in Pennsylvania state courts. Violations of FMCSR regulations can establish negligence.
No Damage Caps: Pennsylvania does not impose caps on economic or non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, including truck accident cases.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against Pennsylvania state government entities require notice within six months of the incident. Claims against local municipalities have their own notice requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline to file a truck accident lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
In Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of the truck accident to file a personal injury lawsuit under 42 Pa.C.S. Section 5524(2). For wrongful death claims, the deadline is two years from the date of death. If a government vehicle was involved, you may need to provide notice within six months of the incident. Missing the deadline typically bars your claim. Consulting with an attorney promptly is important because critical evidence like electronic logging device data may be overwritten and witnesses’ memories fade.
How does Pennsylvania’s tort option affect my truck accident claim?
Pennsylvania has a choice no-fault system where drivers select limited tort or full tort coverage when purchasing insurance. If you selected limited tort (lower premiums), you generally cannot sue for pain and suffering unless you suffered a serious injury as defined by law, including death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement. If you selected full tort or if you are a pedestrian, you can pursue all damages. Truck accidents often cause serious injuries that exceed the limited tort threshold.
How does Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule affect my truck accident case?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system. You can recover compensation only if you are 50% or less at fault for the accident. If you are found 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering any damages. If you are 50% or less at fault, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $200,000 in damages and were found 20% at fault, you would recover $160,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to accident victims.
Who can be held liable for a truck accident in Pennsylvania?
Multiple parties may be held liable in a Pennsylvania truck accident case. These include the truck driver for negligent operation such as speeding, distracted driving, driving while fatigued, or violating hours of service regulations, the trucking company for negligent hiring, training, supervision, or for pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, the owner of the truck if different from the trucking company, cargo loading companies for improperly secured loads, manufacturers of defective truck parts or components, and maintenance contractors who performed inadequate repairs. Pennsylvania applies respondeat superior, holding employers liable for employee negligence within the scope of employment.
What types of damages can I recover in a Pennsylvania truck accident case?
You may recover economic damages including past and future medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitation costs. If you have full tort coverage or suffered a serious injury meeting the limited tort threshold, you may also recover non-economic damages including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Pennsylvania does not cap these damages in truck accident cases. Punitive damages may be available in cases involving reckless or intentional misconduct.