Truck Accidents Lawyers
Commercial vehicle, tractor-trailer and 18-wheeler collisions.
Truck Accidents claims in Pennsylvania
A collision with a tractor-trailer, box truck or other commercial vehicle is not an ordinary car accident. Federal safety regulations, electronic logging data, maintenance records and several layers of insurance all come into play.
Trucking companies often have investigators working the same day. Getting your own record of what happened, early, is what keeps a claim on even footing.
Munley Law offers a free, confidential case review and does not charge a fee unless it recovers compensation.
Free case review — tell us what happened and we'll take it from there.Why families bring these cases to Munley Law
Munley Law has represented injured people and their families from its Scranton base since 1959. The attorneys listed below handle this type of case, and the results shown are published matters the firm has reported.
Marion MunleyPartner
Daniel W. MunleyAttorney
Caroline MunleyManaging Partner
James Christopher MunleyAttorney$26 Million
Settlement
Truck accident settlement.
$20 Million
Settlement
Commercial vehicle settlement.
$19.8 Million
Settlement
Truck accident settlement.
$11 Million
Settlement
Settlement for truck accident.
Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
“I'm so beyond thankful for my lawyers who have never steered me wrong and were ready to go to war for myself and my children. It has been an amazing experience working with them and I'm so thankful for them. As no amount of money will ever change what happened they made sure we were forever taken care of.”
“A loaded tractor trailer rear ended me… The day after the accident, Munley Law was contacted. The wheels went in motion immediately. They knew exactly what had to be done, and they did it with aggression and professionalism. They always kept my wife and I abreast of the progress.”
Types of truck crashes
Rear-end and underride
A loaded tractor-trailer needs far more stopping distance, and a car can travel beneath the trailer in a rear or side underride collision.
Jackknife
The trailer swings out of line with the tractor, often on wet roads or during hard braking, and can sweep across several lanes.
Rollover
High centers of gravity, shifting cargo and ramp speeds contribute to rollovers.
Blind-spot and squeeze play
Sideswipes and right-turn squeeze collisions happen where a truck's mirrors do not reach.
Wide-turn and backing crashes
Turns and reversing manoeuvres in tight areas can trap a nearby vehicle, cyclist or pedestrian.
Cargo and debris
Unsecured loads and separated parts can strike following traffic.
Causes and crash types
Driver fatigue
Hours-of-service limits exist because tired driving slows reaction time. Logs and electronic records show whether they were followed.
Unsafe speed for conditions
A loaded truck needs far more distance to stop, particularly on grades or wet roads.
Improper loading
Overloaded or unsecured cargo shifts weight, lengthens stopping distance and can cause rollovers.
Maintenance failures
Brakes, tires and lights are inspected on a schedule. Skipped or falsified inspections are documented.
Blind-spot and lane-change crashes
Sideswipes and squeeze-play collisions often happen where a truck's mirrors do not reach.
Underride and jackknife collisions
Rear and side underride crashes and jackknifing frequently cause the most severe injuries.
FMCSA rules that often matter
Interstate trucking is governed by federal safety regulations covering driving hours, inspections, weight, licensing and driver qualification. The lookup tool on this site lists the rules with their citations.
- Driving-hour limits and required rest breaks (49 C.F.R. Part 395)
- Inspection, repair and maintenance duties (49 C.F.R. Part 396)
- Driver qualification files and medical certification (49 C.F.R. Part 391)
- Drug and alcohol testing requirements (49 C.F.R. Part 382)
- Federal weight limits on the interstate system (23 U.S.C. § 127)
Evidence that tends to decide these cases
- Electronic control module ("black box") and telematics data
- Electronic logging device records and dispatch communications
- Driver qualification file, training records and prior violations
- Inspection, repair and maintenance history for the tractor and trailer
- Bills of lading, weight tickets and cargo securement records
- Dashcam, traffic and business surveillance footage near the scene
Injuries frequently seen in these cases
- Traumatic brain injury and concussion
- Spinal cord injury and permanent paralysis
- Multiple fractures and crush injuries
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Amputation and severe burns
- Fatal injuries giving rise to a wrongful death claim
Who may be responsible
Responsibility depends entirely on the facts, and no one can determine it from a web page. These are the parties whose conduct is typically examined.
The driver
Fatigue, distraction, impairment or an unsafe maneuver behind the wheel.
The motor carrier
Hiring, training, supervision, scheduling pressure and maintenance practices.
Maintenance or repair contractors
Work performed on brakes, tires and safety systems before the crash.
Shipper, broker or loader
How the cargo was loaded, secured and documented.
A parts manufacturer
Where a tire, coupling or safety component failed.
Damages that may be recoverable
What a claim may include depends on the injuries, the available insurance and the evidence. Nothing here is a prediction of value.
- Medical treatment already received, from the emergency room through rehabilitation
- Future medical care and therapy a physician expects will be needed
- Wages lost while unable to work, and reduced earning capacity in longer-term cases
- Property damage, out-of-pocket costs and travel to treatment
- Pain, suffering and loss of life's pleasures where the law allows it
Steps that protect a claim
- Get medical attention and follow through with the recommended treatment
- Request the police crash report and note the carrier and USDOT number
- Photograph the vehicles, the cargo, the roadway and any skid marks
- Preserve evidence quickly — electronic control module and log data can be overwritten
- Do not give the carrier's insurer a recorded statement before you understand your injuries
- Keep damaged property, clothing and equipment exactly as it is
Frequently asked questions
Who can be held responsible for a truck accident?
Depending on the facts, responsibility can involve the driver, the trucking company, a maintenance provider, a shipper or loader, or a parts manufacturer. Which of them matters in a specific crash depends on the evidence.
How quickly does truck accident evidence disappear?
Some of it is time-sensitive. Electronic control module data, dashcam footage and electronic logs can be overwritten or lawfully discarded within weeks, which is why preservation letters are usually sent early.
What are hours-of-service rules?
Federal rules limit how long a commercial driver may drive and require rest breaks — for example the 11-hour driving limit and the 14-hour on-duty window in 49 C.F.R. § 395.3. A violation does not by itself decide a case, but it can be important evidence.
Is a truck insurance policy different from a car policy?
Interstate motor carriers are required to carry substantially higher minimum coverage than personal auto policies, and several policies can apply to one crash.
How long do I have to file?
Pennsylvania generally allows two years from the date of injury under 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524, but exceptions apply and other states differ. Confirm the deadline for your situation with an attorney.
Question not answered here? Ask Robert — Munley's virtual intake assistant answers common truck accidents questions 24/7.
Related guides, tools and pages
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Where we serve
Munley Law represents clients across Pennsylvania. See the areas we serve for local courts, hospitals and roads, or browse the free tools.
This page is general information about this type of case. It is not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Last reviewed 2026-09-01.
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