Butler
Truck Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. We Can Support You Through Your Truck Accident Case
2. Am I Eligible for Truck Accident Compensation?
3. How Do I Prove Fault After a Truck Accident?
4. Types of Truck Accidents
5. You Have Limited Time to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit
6. Secure a Butler Truck Accident Lawyer Today

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

January 01, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Truck victims, you have options. A lawsuit or out-of-court settlement could reimburse you for your losses. At Berger and Green, we’re here to stand up for those in need. We can negotiate with insurers, submit relevant documents, and take your case to court if needed. While you recover from your injuries, our personal injury lawyer will fight for your compensation.

We Can Support You Through Your Truck Accident Case

After a truck accident, you probably have a lot of questions, such as:

• Do I have a case?
• How do I pursue compensation?
• Who’s responsible for my injuries?
• Do I need to file a lawsuit?

At Berger and Green, we’re here to help you put those questions to rest. Providing legal advice is one of our many services. We want to bring your stress levels down and offer you much-needed breathing room. After all, being in a truck accident can be incredibly stressful.

How We Build Your Case for Compensation

Legal guidance isn’t our only service, though. Our team can fight for your fair compensation. These are the ways that our lawyers can support you:

• Gathering evidence and building a case
• Negotiating with insurers and other relevant parties
• Protecting your interests every step of the way
• Advising you on your legal options
• Taking your case to court – we’re not afraid of filing a lawsuit

You Don’t Have to Pay Any Upfront Costs or Fees

To maintain the financial accessibility of our legal services, we work on a contingency-fee basis. This means that:

• You won’t need to pay us anything upfront
• Our services are risk-free – we won’t require payment until we win

Our client testimonials page provides more information on the quality of our services and the impact we make on injured people in Pennsylvania.

Am I Eligible for Truck Accident Compensation?

There are two types of damages in a truck case, economic and non-economic damages. 

Economic damages cover your out-of-pocket expenses:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Property loss

Non-economic damages account for the emotional and physical trauma of your accident, and include:

• Pain and suffering and inconvenience
• Emotional anguish
• Lowered quality of life

We Can Identify Your Best Path for Compensation

If you can demonstrate that another party caused your injuries, you can qualify for the economic damages that can be proven. However, to qualify for non-economic damages, one of the following situations must apply to your case:

• You carry full tort insurance
• Your injuries pass the “serious bodily injuries” threshold
• Another exception denoted in the low or your insurance policy applies

If you’re unsure about whether you will qualify to pursue damages, our team can help. We will pursue the best course of action for your recovery.

How Do I Prove Fault After a Truck Accident?

After a truck accident, your lawyer will need to prove that another person was responsible for your injuries. Proving fault typically requires that we demonstrate:

• The liable party had a responsibility to keep you from harm.
• They breached this duty by behaving negligently.
• Their negligence resulted in your accident.
• You were injured and suffered other losses in that accident.

An Example of Negligence

In a practical truck accident example, this could look like:

• You were driving alongside a semi-truck on a public road
• A trucker was distracted while driving, and therefore behaving negligently
• The trucker struck your car by drifting into your lane
• Your medical records demonstrate that your injuries came from the truck accident
• Your legal team gathers evidence to prove that your injuries were caused by a negligent truck driver

To prove fault, our team reviews relevant evidence, including:

• Medical records
• Traffic camera footage
• Images of the accident scene
• Statements from crash reconstruction specialists
• Eyewitness interviews

Who Can I Receive Compensation From?

Who is liable (financially responsible) for your accident depends on who caused it or contributed to it. If it was an individual driver (not all truck accidents are caused by truck drivers), you’ll likely need to deal with their insurer. If a trucker caused the accident, you may be able to receive compensation from their employer.

In Butler and the rest of the state, the legal doctrine of respondeat superior applies. This means that employers can be held liable for the actions of their employees. However, for this rule to apply, you must prove that the truckers’ actions before the accident fell within the “scope of employment.” 

Operating within the “scope of employment” means that the trucker was:

• Carrying out duties associated with their job
• Using a trucking vehicle for work purposes
• On the clock

Discussions involving respondeat superior can become complicated quickly. If you believe that a trucking company is responsible for your accident, our team can conduct a thorough investigation. You worry about healing; our Butler truck accident lawyers can deal with trickier parts of your case.

Types of Truck Accidents

Accidents caused by trucks usually involve:

• Rollovers: Trucks are very top-heavy vehicles. If they take a turn too quickly, they can flip over, causing an accident.
• Lane drifting: Truck driving often entails driving on narrow two-lane highways. When truckers become inattentive, they run the risk of drifting into traffic.
• Jackknifes: Jackknifes occur when the cab of a truck turns sharply away from the trailer. This can block multiple lanes of traffic. 

Keep in mind that just because your accident involved a truck doesn’t mean it was caused by a truck. It’s possible that another party is responsible for your injuries. We will determine who is responsible and hold them accountable for your losses.  

You Have Limited Time to File a Truck Accident Lawsuit

Residents of Butler are subject to Pennsylvania’s statute of limitations, per Pa. C.S.A. § 5524. This law provides truck accident victims with a two-year deadline to file a lawsuit. Specific case factors may alter this deadline.

Not every truck accident will involve a lawsuit. In fact, most personal injury cases are settled outside of court. However, lawsuits are valuable bargaining chips during negotiations. Therefore, it’s best to initiate your case as soon as you can. You want every tool available when pursuing compensation, and time is a very valuable tool.

Secure a Butler Truck Accident Lawyer Today

If you were injured in a truck accident and believe that another party was responsible, we can help. During a free initial case evaluation, we can determine your case eligibility and explain your next steps. Contact our offices to get started today.