Philadelphia Truck Accident Lawyer

Crashes involving commercial trucks on Interstate 95 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike can devastate entire families in seconds. Tractor-trailers outweigh passenger vehicles by tens of thousands of pounds, and when companies ignore federal safety rules on driver hours, maintenance, or training, the results can be catastrophic. Pennsylvania law lets injured victims recover compensation if they are less than 51 percent at fault under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102, though any award is reduced by their share of responsibility. Victims must also act quickly—42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 gives only two years from the date of the crash to file a lawsuit.

Grungo Law represents Philadelphia truck accident victims throughout the city and surrounding counties. Our team includes an attorney certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, and we are licensed in Pennsylvania with experience in Philadelphia courts and procedures. We preserve electronic logging device data, pursue multiple liable parties, including trucking companies and maintenance providers, and litigate catastrophic injury cases before the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas. Our firm has recovered over $135 million in settlements and verdicts for injured clients. If we can help, we will.

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Key Takeaways for Philadelphia Truck Accident Cases

• Federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 395 limit truck drivers to 11 hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty, but violations occur due to delivery pressures and driver pay structures.
• Motor carriers must keep ELD duty-status records and supporting documents for at least six months; data from electronic logging devices and black boxes are key evidence in proving violations of hours of service and safety requirements.
• Trucking companies carry minimum federal insurance of $750,000 under 49 CFR Part 387, with most commercial trucking liability policies exceeding the statutory minimum and reaching up to $1 million or more.
• Multiple parties may share liability, including truck drivers, trucking companies, maintenance providers, cargo loading companies, and vehicle manufacturers.
• Pennsylvania law 42 Pa.C.S. § 5524 imposes a two-year filing deadline, but immediate evidence preservation proves critical before trucking companies destroy maintenance records and driver qualification files.

Why Choose Grungo Law for Your Philadelphia Truck Accident Case

Truck accident litigation differs fundamentally from passenger vehicle cases through federal regulation complexity, corporate defendants with legal teams, and catastrophic injury severity. These cases move quickly, and defendants are sophisticated. Early leverage comes from applying federal safety rules, preserving evidence quickly, and funding expert analysis. Laws in New Jersey also shape how liability, insurance coverage, and compensation are determined, influencing the strategy we use to protect your rights from the start.

Federal Trucking Regulation Knowledge

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations create liability when trucking companies violate safety standards. Hours-of-service rules limit consecutive driving time; some companies pressure drivers to falsify logs or manipulate electronic logging devices. Violations of FMCSA hours-of-service regulations can be confirmed via electronic logs and often underpin negligence claims. Maintenance rules mandate systematic inspection and repair; brake failures and tire blowouts may reflect deferred maintenance. Inspection and maintenance violations are enforceable under 49 CFR Part 396.

We analyze ELD data for hours-of-service issues, review maintenance records for inspection failures, and examine driver-qualification files for inadequate vetting. Liability often hinges on compliance with FMCSA regulations, but defenses include demonstrating adherence to safety standards and proper maintenance.

Trial Certification and Resources

Richard Grungo Jr. holds certification by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, a distinction earned by approximately 2-3% of licensed New Jersey attorneys. Although the certification is in New Jersey, we are licensed in Pennsylvania and are familiar with Philadelphia courts. We litigate before the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas and understand First Judicial District filing requirements.

Truck accident cases require substantial litigation investment. We advance these costs under contingency fee arrangements.

Immediate Evidence Preservation

Motor carriers must keep ELD duty-status records and supporting documents for at least six months; prompt preservation is still critical to prevent loss or destruction. Truck event data recorders (black boxes) capture pre-impact data such as speed and braking. Data from electronic logging devices and black boxes are key evidence in proving violations of hours of service and safety requirements. Maintenance records face destruction after retention periods expire.

We send preservation letters within 24 hours of retention to trucking companies, maintenance providers, and cargo loading companies. These letters legally obligate defendants to preserve:

• Electronic logging device (ELD) data and supporting documents
• Event data recorder (engine control module) downloads
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Driver qualification and training files
• Dispatch communications and load sheets/bills of lading
• In-cab and external dash camera footage

I-95 Corridor and Pennsylvania Turnpike Knowledge

Interstate 95 through Philadelphia carries heavy commercial truck traffic daily. Chronic congestion creates rear-end collisions when trucks follow too closely. Construction zones generate lane-shift accidents. Pennsylvania Turnpike sections involve high-speed collisions at 65 to 70 mph with steep grades contributing to brake failures.

Call (856) 475-6122 for an immediate case evaluation. We respond 24/7 to truck accident cases. For seriously injured clients, we conduct consultations at homes and hospitals throughout Philadelphia and the surrounding counties.

Understanding Federal Trucking Regulations and Pennsylvania Law

Federal and state regulations create safety standards that establish negligence when violated. Liability in trucking cases often turns on compliance with federal and state safety rules. When companies cut corners on hours, maintenance, or driver vetting, those violations help establish negligence. The sections that follow explain the most common rule sets and how they affect liability. Grungo gives supports our broader mission to help families rebuild after devastating accidents, reflecting our firm’s commitment to both justice in the courtroom and compassion in the community.

Hours of Service Violations and Driver Fatigue

Federal regulations under 49 CFR Part 395 limit truck drivers to 11 consecutive hours driving after 10 consecutive hours off duty. Drivers may not operate beyond the 14th consecutive hour after coming on duty. Weekly limits restrict driving to 60 hours in seven consecutive days or 70 hours in eight consecutive days.

Trucking companies may pressure drivers through per-mile pay structures, unrealistic delivery schedules, and dispatcher communications demanding on-time arrivals despite insufficient driving hours. Violations of FMCSA hours-of-service regulations can be confirmed via electronic logs and often underpin negligence claims. Fatigued driving can impair judgment and reaction time, comparable to alcohol impairment. Microsleep episodes can cause drivers to drift across lanes or fail to brake before collisions.

Vehicle Maintenance Failures

Systematic inspection and maintenance rules require annual inspections and documented repairs under 49 CFR Part 396. Inspection and maintenance violations are enforceable under 49 CFR Part 396. Trucking companies defer maintenance despite brake wear, tire tread depth below legal minimums, lighting defects, and steering mechanism problems. Brake failures cause inability to stop before rear-end collisions. Tire blowouts create loss of control and rollover accidents.

Driver Qualification Deficiencies

Commercial driver requirements include biennial medical certification, knowledge and skills testing, and background verification under 49 CFR Part 391. Negligent hiring occurs when companies skip background checks, hire drivers with disqualifying violations, provide inadequate training, or ignore poor safety records.

Weight and Cargo Loading Regulations

Federal weight limits under 23 CFR 658.17 restrict gross vehicle weight to 80,000 pounds on interstate highways. Pennsylvania Vehicle Code provisions in 75 Pa.C.S. § 4941-4960 impose state-specific weight restrictions. Overweight trucks require extended stopping distances, strain brake systems, and create tire blowout dangers. Improperly loaded cargo causes vehicle imbalance, leading to rollover accidents.

Multiple Liable Parties in Philadelphia Truck Accidents

Pursuing all responsible parties can increase the total available recovery. Truck drivers face liability for speeding, reckless operation, distracted driving, and impairment. Trucking companies bear vicarious liability for employee negligence under the doctrine of respondeat superior (employer responsibility for employees’ acts) and direct liability for negligent hiring, inadequate training, supervision failures, and maintenance neglect. Personal injury law firm in NJ Grungo Law stands ready to investigate every angle of liability, ensuring negligent parties are held accountable and victims receive the full compensation they deserve.

Maintenance providers face claims when outsourced brake or tire service proves defective. Cargo loading companies bear responsibility for overweight violations and improper weight distribution. Manufacturers may face product liability claims for defective components, including brake systems, tire failures, and steering mechanism problems.

Pennsylvania comparative negligence under 42 Pa.C.S. § 7102 allows recovery when victims bear less than 51% fault. Pennsylvania law disallows recovery if the injured party is found to be more than 50% at fault, but damages are reduced proportionally if less than 50% responsible. Insurers may attribute fault by alleging excessive speed or unsafe lane changes. Event data recorder analysis showing truck speed violations and ELD records of hours violations counter these defenses.

Philadelphia Truck Accident Compensation

Truck accident injuries typically exceed the severity of injuries in passenger vehicle collisions due to size and weight disparity. Commercial insurance policy limits of $750,000 to $5 million under 49 CFR Part 387 provide substantially higher coverage than the standard coverage held by drivers of passenger vehicles. Most commercial trucking liability policies exceed the statutory minimum and can reach up to $1 million or more.

Economic Damage Documentation

Medical expenses form the foundation of economic claims. Future medical care projections through life care planning establish lifetime treatment needs.

Lost earning capacity claims address total disability preventing return to work. Vocational assessment and economic testimony project lifetime earning losses. Property damage claims cover vehicle total loss, diminished value, towing, and rental expenses.

Noneconomic Damages and Wrongful Death

Pain and suffering, permanent disability, loss of life enjoyment, and emotional distress address injury impact beyond financial losses. Chronic pain, permanent paralysis from spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injury causing cognitive impairment, and amputation disfigurement qualify for noneconomic recovery. Pennsylvania imposes no caps on personal injury damages.

Pennsylvania wrongful-death law under 42 Pa.C.S. § 8301 allows spouses, children, and parents to seek compensation for financial support, companionship, and funeral expenses. Economic testimony projects a deceased’s lifetime earning capacity.

Common Philadelphia Truck Accident Locations

Interstate 95 through Pennsylvania carries heavy commercial truck traffic daily. Chronic congestion during rush hours creates rear-end collisions. Construction zones with lane shifts generate sideswipe accidents. Bridge approaches, including Girard Point Bridge and Tacony-Palmyra Bridge, present wind hazards. Causes of truck accidents often trace back to driver fatigue, speeding, equipment failure, or improper loading, all of which can transform a moment of negligence into a devastating event on these busy corridors.

Pennsylvania Turnpike sections through the Philadelphia region have high speed limits. Long-haul truckers face fatigue from monotonous highway driving. Steep grades west of Valley Forge contribute to brake overheating and failure. Interstate 476 through Delaware, Montgomery, and Chester counties includes steep grades and weather hazards on elevated sections.

On narrow Philadelphia streets, double-parking and backing maneuvers by delivery trucks create hazards. Port of Philadelphia container trucks carry overweight loads. Northeast Philadelphia industrial corridors generate heavy truck traffic. Contributing factors to accidents include distracted driving, speeding, and violations such as running red lights.

Steps After Philadelphia Truck Accidents

Contact a truck-accident attorney promptly to preserve evidence. Attorneys send preservation letters within 24 hours to trucking companies, maintenance providers, and cargo loading companies. Decline recorded statements to trucking-company insurers without counsel. Bring complete documentation to consultations including police reports, medical records, photographs, witness information, and truck company details.

Contact Grungo Law for Your Philadelphia Truck Accident Case

Grungo Law serves Philadelphia, Bucks County, Montgomery County, Delaware County, and Chester County. Our team includes an attorney certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, and we are licensed in Pennsylvania with experience in Philadelphia courts and procedures.

If we can help, we will. You’re not a case file—you’re someone facing life-altering injuries or grieving a family member’s death while trucking companies send investigators to build defenses. We act immediately to preserve ELD data before it is lost. Call (856) 475-6122 for a free consultation with 24/7 availability. For catastrophically injured clients unable to travel, we conduct consultations at homes and hospitals. We will fight for the compensation you need for medical treatment, lost earning capacity, and moving forward.

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