Accidents involving trucks are a major public safety issue on America’s roads. Federal government and insurance industry statistics estimate that each year large trucks cause:

• 350,000 accidents resulting in property damage;
• 90,000 accidents resulting in 140,000 injuries; and
• 4,000 accidents resulting in over 5,000 fatalities.

When large trucks collide with passenger cars, the car occupants suffer the vast majority of the injuries and fatalities. The reasons are obvious—tractor-trailers weigh 20-30 times more than cars and their height and ground clearance makes them even more dangerous.

Truck drivers themselves can also be injured in accidents for reasons unrelated to their conduct.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky has litigated truck cases involving all of the common causes of these accidents, including:

• Driver error, substance abuse, fatigue, and distraction
• Truck design defects and malfunctions of major components such as brakes and tires
• Carrier violations of industry regulations, including overloading trucks, breaching hourly limits on driver work, and failing to properly maintain vehicles
• Poorly designed, constructed, and maintained roads

Unmatched Results

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s truck accident lawyers have secured numerous multimillion verdicts and settlements for clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, including:

Unmatched Knowledge

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s skilled lawyers understand the complex mechanical and physical factors that contribute to truck accidents. Their thorough investigations include:

• Comprehensive depositions of all drivers, carrier personnel, passengers, and witnesses;
• In-depth analyses to determine the relative roles played by driver error, carrier practices, and defective vehicles; and
• Biomechanics review: what happened to an injured driver or passenger during the crash sequence, and what does that say about how the accident happened?

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky also uses independent accident reconstruction experts to recreate how an accident occurred through the use of advanced three-dimensional animations and graphics—a powerful trial tool.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky pursues all potential defendants that may be liable in truck accident cases: truck drivers, carriers, vehicle part manufacturers, establishments that sell liquor, and state and local governments that design and maintain roads.

If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed, as a result of a truck accident, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining all of the compensation you need and deserve.

Trucking Accident FAQs

What makes commercial truck accidents different from car accidents?

Truck accidents are fundamentally different because of the size, weight, and regulations involved. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, making collisions far more likely to cause catastrophic injuries or death.

These cases also involve:

• Federal and state trucking regulations
• Multiple potentially responsible parties
• Commercial insurance policies with high financial stakes

What looks like a single accident is often a system failure involving the driver, trucking company, maintenance providers, or manufacturers.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s trucking accident lawyers understand the complex mechanical and physical factors that contribute to truck accidents. If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed, as a result of a truck accident, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our trucking accident attorneys for a free consultation.

Why are injuries in truck accidents often so severe?

The force involved in a collision with a tractor-trailer is exponentially greater than in a passenger vehicle crash. As a result, victims frequently suffer:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Amputations
• Internal organ damage
• Fatal injuries

Recovery is often long, uncertain, and life-altering. The legal response must account not only for what has happened but for what the injured person will need for the rest of their life.

Who can be held responsible in a commercial trucking accident?

Liability in a trucking accident may extend far beyond the driver. Depending on the facts, responsible parties may include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company or motor carrier
• A maintenance or repair contractor
• The company that loaded the cargo
• A vehicle or parts manufacturer

Identifying all responsible parties is critical in catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases and it requires immediate, in-depth investigation.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s trucking accident attorneys pursue all potential defendants that may be liable in truck accident cases including truck drivers, carriers, vehicle part manufacturers, establishments that sell liquor, and state and local governments that design and maintain roads.

What if the truck driver says the accident wasn’t their fault?

In trucking cases, fault is rarely determined by a single statement. Evidence such as

• Driver logbooks and electronic logging device (ELD) data
• Onboard black box data
• Maintenance and inspection records
• Dispatch communications
• Surveillance or dashcam footage

can tell a very different story. Much of this evidence is time-sensitive and can be lost or destroyed if action is not taken quickly.

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s truck accident lawyers understand the complex mechanical and physical factors that contribute to truck accidents. We conduct thorough investigations including comprehensive depositions of all drivers, carrier personnel, passengers, and witnesses; in-depth analyses to determine the relative roles played by driver error, carrier practices, and defective vehicles; and biomechanics review – what happened to an injured driver or passenger during the crash sequence, and what does that say about how the accident happened?

If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed, as a result of a truck accident, contact our trucking accident attorneys for a free consultation.

How soon should I speak with a lawyer after a truck accident?

Contact Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky immediately, especially if injuries are severe or fatal.

Trucking companies and their insurers often deploy investigation teams within hours of a serious crash. Their goal is to protect the company, not the injured person or family.

Speaking with a Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky lawyer helps:

• Preserve critical evidence
• Prevent damaging statements
• Level the playing field from the start

You can focus on medical care and recovery while your rights are protected.

What compensation may be available after a commercial truck accident?

Depending on the case, compensation may include:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost income and loss of earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Long-term care and life-care costs
• Loss of consortium or companionship
• Wrongful death damages for surviving family members

In catastrophic cases, accurately valuing future needs is just as important as proving fault.

If you have been injured, or a family member has been injured or killed, as a result of a truck accident, Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky is committed to obtaining the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our trucking accident attorneys for a free consultation.

 What if my loved one was killed in a trucking accident?

Truck accidents are one of the leading causes of fatal roadway collisions. When a death occurs, surviving family members may be entitled to bring a wrongful death claim.

While no legal action can undo the loss, these claims can:

• Provide financial stability
• Hold responsible parties accountable
• Prevent similar tragedies in the future

Saltz Mongeluzzi Bendesky’s guidance can help families navigate this process with care and respect.