Best Trucking Accident Lawyers in Bethlehem

A trucking accident can arise from many individual causes and often occurs as the result of a confluence of multiple causes. Some of the most common causes include:

Driver Fatigue: drivers put in too many miles or hours and wind up unable to pay attention, maybe even fall asleep at the wheel.

Improper maintenance of the vehicle: which often leads to steering, brake, or other system failure.

Overloading of freight: which leads the vehicle to become unreliable and subject to flipping.

Inadequate training: which leads to drivers that can’t handle the vehicle.

Mechanical failures: resulting from factory defects or overuse.

Weather conditions: poor visibility, slippery roads, tipping due to heavy wind, etc.

Poor road infrastructure: obstacles like cracks or potholes, which can cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle.

Because commercial trucks are significantly larger and heavier than other vehicles on the road, accidents involving them can result in serious damage and severe injuries. Addressing these factors requires a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the accident, which is crucial for seeking appropriate compensation.

Safety first. Even if you think your injuries are not severe, seek medical attention. There may be life-threatening internal injuries. If need be, summon police and fire rescue personnel. Talk to the police, answer all their questions, and get the names and badge numbers of any officers involved.

Make sure to document everything with pictures. Use your smartphone or a camera to get a complete photo record of the scene of the accident. If there were witnesses to the accident, try to meet them and collect their contact info. Their testimony may be crucial in obtaining a favorable judgment.

As soon as possible, make contact with a Bethlehem trucking accident lawyer. Acting quickly allows your attorney to preserve evidence and build the strongest case possible.

Trucking accidents are often among the most serious types of collisions due to the significant size and weight of commercial trucks compared to passenger vehicles. The sheer mass of a fully loaded truck can lead to catastrophic outcomes when involved in an accident, including severe injuries or fatalities for drivers and passengers of smaller vehicles.

Survivors may face long-term health complications, extensive rehabilitation, and financial burdens due to medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage. To navigate the legal aspects of getting fairly compensated for your injuries, it’s important to work with an experienced trucking accident lawyer in Bethlehem.

In the best cases, trucking accidents may only cause minor injuries that are easy to recover from. However, trucking accidents can be very serious, and many cause lasting injuries.

These can include:

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)

Spinal cord injuries

Fractures (broken bones)

Whiplash and neck injuries

Internal injuries (e.g., organ damage)

Lacerations and contusions

Burns (from vehicle fires or explosions)

Soft tissue injuries (e.g., sprains and strains)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Amputations

These injuries can vary in severity, often leading to long-term complications and significant medical expenses for the victims. Many even cause lasting emotional distress.

Trucking accidents are unfortunately common on roadways, particularly in areas with heavy commercial traffic. The large volume of commercial trucks on the highways is part of the reason for these accidents.

In the United States, there were approximately 151,000 large truck accidents in 2020, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Of these, around 4,842 involved fatalities, and more than 119,000 resulted in injuries. The numbers can vary from year to year, but these statistics reflect the general prevalence of trucking accidents.

If you think you may be entitled to compensation from the trucking company responsible for the accident due to medical bills, lost property, lost wages, or personal injury, a trucking accident attorney has the experience and specialized knowledge to guide you through the case.

Remember, the trucking company probably won’t go down without a fight. If you want the judge to compel them to write a big check, you need to defeat their counterarguments and present everything to the court in a neat, legally sound package that conforms with the relevant laws. A trucking accident attorney can make that happen.

The team at Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo understands trucking accident cases and knows how to win them. We know exactly what paperwork must be filed and how, what evidence must be presented, which burdens of proof must be cleared, and how to present an airtight case against the trucking company.

If the company is willing to settle, our trucking accident attorneys are prepared to fight on your behalf to negotiate the best settlement possible. If it goes to trial, we are relentless in the defense of our Bethlehem neighbors who have had their lives disrupted by the negligence of trucking companies.

We can help you prepare to give testimony and depositions, smooth the process of collecting monetary damages, and generally make the whole process easier and less intimidating. We’re here to guide you through the whole journey!

Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo is one of the most respected trucking accident law firms in the region. We are honored to have three consecutive wins in the U.S. News - Best Lawyers® in America “Best Law Firms" Award.

Of course, we don’t do it for the awards — we do it out of a burning passion for justice, especially on behalf of those who have been injured by trucking accidents. Our relentless pursuit of fairness is the foundation of our sterling track record, including:

Over Half a Billion Dollars in Settlements Recovered for Our Clients

$95 Million: Highest Verdict Obtained

190+ Combined Years of Experience Serving the Lehigh Valley Area

It’s easy! Just call the number above, email us, or fill out the short contact form to get us started. We’ll get you set up with a consultation where we’ll hear your story, look at the available evidence, and help you assess the best course of action. You don’t have to have everything put together in a neat little package — that’s our job! Just come as you are with what you’ve got. We’ll take the reins.

First things first — the size of the vehicle. Commercial trucks are much larger than consumer automobiles, and as such, they are capable of causing much more damage to both people and property.

Additionally, whereas auto accidents are usually between two people and personal liability is at issue, with a trucking accident, there may be a trucking company at fault, and commercial liability may be at issue. Different laws apply to commercial liability. Trucking companies also have different insurance policies to consider.

The result — trucking accidents are not only serious but also more complex to win in court. It’s critical to choose an attorney who has specialized experience in trucking accident cases.

The chain of liability in trucking accidents can be long and somewhat convoluted. Possible defendants in a trucking accident case might include:

Truck Driver: The most common defendant in a truck accident case is the driver of the truck. If their negligence, recklessness, or violation of regulations contributed to the accident, they can be held accountable.

Trucking Company: Often, the trucking company employing the driver can also be held responsible. If they had inadequate safety policies, pushed drivers to violate regulations, or failed to provide proper training, they might share liability.

Truck Owner: In cases where the truck is owned by a separate entity from the trucking company, the owner might be liable if they failed to maintain the vehicle properly, leading to mechanical failures that caused the accident.

Manufacturer: If a defective part of the truck, such as brakes or tires, played a role in the accident, the manufacturer of the faulty component could be held accountable.

Maintenance Contractors: Companies responsible for maintaining the truck might be at fault if their negligence or improper maintenance led to the accident.

Loading Companies: If the accident was a result of improper loading that caused the truck to be unstable or unbalanced, the company responsible for loading the cargo could be held liable.

Third Parties: Sometimes, other drivers or entities on the road might contribute to the accident. For example, if a car cut off the truck causing it to swerve and crash, that driver could share liability.

Determining the appropriate parties to sue in a truck accident case is a complex task, and it often requires thorough investigation, legal experience, and a deep understanding of the trucking industry's regulations and practices. An experienced truck accident attorney will work to identify all potentially responsible parties, build a compelling case, and seek rightful compensation for injuries, damages, and suffering.

Compensation varies from case to case, with more severe accidents usually eligible for more compensation. Each award of monetary damages must be correlated to a specific reason for the liability. Examples that typically apply to trucking accident cases include:

Reimbursement of medical bills

Outlays for future medical bills

Reimbursement for lost wages or earnings

Outlays for loss of future earnings

Compensation for pain and suffering

Reimbursement for lost or damaged property

Punitive damages (in extreme cases)

Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence law, which impacts compensation in all personal injury cases. Under this law, both parties involved are assigned a percentage of fault based on their actions leading up to the incident. If an injured party is found to be 50 percent or less at fault, they can recover damages, but their compensation is reduced by their degree of fault.

For example, if a plaintiff is awarded $100,000 but is deemed 30 percent at fault, they would receive $70,000. However, if the plaintiff is found to be more than 50 percent at fault, they cannot recover any damages at all.

Accurately establishing fault is key, and seeking legal representation is often necessary to navigate these complexities. A trucking accident lawyer in Bethlehem can help you determine what your percentage of liability might be and whether you have a solid case to pursue compensation.

If you're involved in a truck accident, enlisting the help of specialized Bethlehem personal injury lawyers is highly advisable. The legal landscape surrounding truck accidents is intricate, and a minor oversight can significantly weaken your case.

Facing a courtroom, especially when up against seasoned lawyers representing the other party, can be daunting. An experienced truck accident attorney offers much more than legal counsel; they serve as your emotional and strategic guide during an emotionally taxing period.

Truck accident attorneys can do much more than take over the tedious legal work that you’re not trained to do — they can be your counselor and your advocate through a trying time. Your attorney's proficiency extends beyond routine legal tasks. Our truck and car accident lawyers serve as your advocates—proficient in negotiation and courtroom dynamics.

Truck accidents are subject to specific laws and insurance policies that differ from car accidents and other personal injury cases. Choose an attorney with a proven track record in truck accident cases for the best chance of success.

Court filing fees are usually minimal, but they can vary from case to case and from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Many law firms operate on a contingency basis, meaning you won't pay them unless you win. However, this arrangement is not a given. Always clarify the fee structure with your attorney to understand your financial obligations.