Were you or a loved one hurt in a truck accident in Kingston, Pennsylvania? You may be owed compensation to cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other losses. An experienced Kingston truck accident attorney with Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC can help you from start to finish while you focus on your health and well-being.
Our team of Kingston truck accident lawyers has 100 years of combined experience and has won more than $150 million for injured clients throughout the state. We understand how devastating a truck crash can be, and we’re dedicated to helping you seek the financial recovery you deserve.
Contact our law offices in Kingston, PA at (570) 714-4878 office today to schedule a free initial consultation. We can review your case and provide preliminary legal advice when you meet with us.
How Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC Can Help After a Truck Accident in Kingston, PA
Truck accidents can be much more complex than standard car crashes. Tractor-trailers carry large insurance policies, and several parties—like a trucking company, the truck owner, or the cargo loader—may share responsibility. This can lead to confusion, with insurers blaming each other or trying to push fault onto you. Hiring a Kingston personal injury attorney with a strong background in truck accident cases can make a huge difference.
If you hire Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC, our award-winning Kingston personal injury lawyers can:
- Internally investigate your truck accident
- Figure out who’s liable
- Determine your best legal strategy
- Calculate all of your damages
- Work with leading expert witnesses as needed
- Negotiate a full settlement on your behalf
- Protect you from allegations of blame
- Represent you in court and file a lawsuit if necessary
Since we work on contingency, you only pay attorney’s fees if we successfully recover money on your behalf. Contact our Kingston truck accident attorneys today to schedule a free case evaluation.
Insurance Considerations for Pennsylvania Truck Accident Cases
Pennsylvania has unique insurance rules. While auto accidents often follow the state’s “choice no-fault” system in a relatively straightforward manner, truck accidents can be more complex. Your case may still hinge on whether you’ve selected “full tort” or “limited tort” coverage, but there are unique issues that may come up as well.
For instance, federal and state rules for trucking companies can affect who pays and how much.
Other common issues include:
- Multiple policies: A single truck accident might involve coverage from the trucking company, the driver’s personal policy, and even cargo loaders if they contributed to the crash.
- High policy limits: Commercial truck insurance can range from $750,000 to several million dollars, depending on the cargo and the route.
- Complex negotiations: Adjusters for big trucking insurers often try to minimize payouts or drag out claims. Having a lawyer helps you push back effectively.
Understanding these insurance details is crucial if you want a fair settlement, especially if your medical costs are high or you’re out of work long-term. Our attorneys can pinpoint which insurers should pay and then fight for every dollar you’re owed.
How Much Is My Kingston Truck Accident Claim Worth?
The value of a truck accident claim can vary widely.
Serious injuries tend to lead to bigger settlements or jury awards, but other elements can also play a part:
- How severe your injuries are: Catastrophic harm like brain injuries or paralysis can increase the compensation you recover.
- Insurance policy limits: Commercial vehicles often have high coverage, which may allow for larger payouts. However, if multiple victims are involved, it can complicate the distribution of funds.
- Evidence of fault: Strong proof that the truck driver or company acted negligently can enhance the case’s value.
- Any shared blame: Under Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence laws, you can still collect damages if you’re less than 51% at fault, but your award is reduced by your percentage of blame.
A skilled personal injury attorney in Kingston can examine these factors to give you a realistic estimate. They can also help ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve, especially if you might need long-term care or lose future earning potential.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Kingston
Truck crashes often stem from several types of negligence. Because big rigs can weigh tens of thousands of pounds, even a minor slip-up can cause a serious collision.
Typical reasons include:
- Driver fatigue: Federal law from the FMCSA limits how many hours truckers can drive, but some push it, leading to drowsy or distracted driving.
- Distracted driving: Checking a phone or adjusting the GPS can be deadly, given a semi-truck’s massive size.
- Speeding or aggressive driving: Drivers under deadline pressure might break traffic rules, tailgate, or fail to yield.
- Poor maintenance: Worn brakes, bad tires, or faulty lights can cause mechanical failures at high speeds.
- Improper cargo loading: If freight shifts or is too heavy on one side, the truck might become hard to handle or tip over.
- Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drugs can impair reaction times, raising the crash risk significantly.
No matter what led to your accident, our firm can investigate the root cause and build a strong argument for the at-fault party’s liability.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident in Kingston, Pennsylvania?
If you can prove the truck driver or another party was responsible, you may be able to seek compensatory damages in Pennsylvania courts.
These include both economic and non-economic losses.
- Economic damages: Medical bills, hospital stays, physical therapy, surgeries, prescription costs, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, and property damage (like vehicle repairs).
- Non-economic damages: Pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Punitive damages are rare and apply only if you show “clear and convincing evidence” of extreme wrongdoing, such as a driver knowingly operating while intoxicated. Our attorneys can help you calculate and document each of these losses so you have a better chance of recovering a fair amount.
What Does It Cost To Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Kingston, PA?
Most truck accident lawyers in Kingston, including those at Fellerman & Ciarimboli, work on a contingency fee basis. This fee structure lets you hire top legal help without paying anything upfront. Instead, you pay a percentage of any settlement or verdict you receive. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe no attorney’s fees.
This arrangement allows injured people, no matter their financial situation, to get professional representation. It also motivates your lawyer to fight for the highest amount possible.
We’ll Fight for Compensation for All of Your Truck Accident Injuries
Truck accidents frequently cause severe or life-altering injuries because of the immense weight and momentum of commercial rigs.
Our attorneys are prepared to help if you’ve sustained any of these:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord damage or paralysis
- Burns, lacerations, or crushing injuries
- Broken bones or fractures
- Internal bleeding
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries
- Wrongful death if a loved one died in the crash
No matter the type or extent of your injury, we can negotiate with insurers and, if needed, take your case to trial to seek the compensation you require.
What if I’m Being Blamed for My Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania follows a modified comparative negligence system. Under this law, if you share some of the blame for the accident, your compensation will be reduced by that percentage. However, if you’re more than 50% at fault, you can’t collect any damages. Insurers often try to claim you contributed to the crash so they can pay you less or deny your claim.
Our lawyers know how to investigate the facts and challenge unfair blame. We’ll advocate for your rights, whether in settlement talks or in the courtroom. Note that this law only applies if you are eligible to file a claim against the at-fault party; claims made against your own “no-fault” insurance can be made no matter who caused the crash.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Truck Accident Lawsuit in Pennsylvania?
Most truck accident lawsuits in Pennsylvania fall under the state’s two-year statute of limitations. This means you must file suit within two years from the date of the crash, or you’ll likely lose your right to pursue damages. Exceptions can apply in unusual cases, such as if you need to file a lawsuit against a government entity.
Acting quickly not only keeps you within legal deadlines but also helps preserve evidence and witness testimony. If you wait too long, it becomes harder to build a strong case.
Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Trusted Kingston Truck Accident Attorneys
If you’ve been hurt in a collision with a commercial truck in Kingston, Pennsylvania, you deserve legal guidance tailored to your needs. Fellerman & Ciarimboli, Law PC brings 100 years of combined experience to every case, along with a track record of winning more than $150 million for our clients. We understand the complexities of truck accident cases, from insurance hurdles to the serious nature of injuries.
Call our Kingston truck accident attorneys today for a free consultation. We’re passionate about fighting for the rights of accident victims in Kingston and will work hard on your case from the start.