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Truck Accidents

We've Recovered Over 200 Million Dollars for Our Clients

New Castle Truck Accident Lawyer for Pennsylvania Victims

Understanding Large Truck Accidents in Pennsylvania

When semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and other large commercial vehicles collide with a car, the result is usually devastating. If you or someone close to you has been hurt in this kind of crash, you already know how quickly everything can change. The people in the smaller vehicles often face the worst injuries, traumatic brain damage (TBIs), spinal injuries, and, in the most serious cases, fatalities. Many truck drivers might walk away, but it’s your life, family, and future on the line.

You might be angry, scared, or simply unsure what to do next. That’s normal. You probably have a lot of common questions about truck accidents. Who is responsible after a crash? Can you get help with your medical bills? What happens if the trucking company calls? These questions matter, and you deserve honest, clear answers.

That’s where Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. can step in. You don’t have to handle this situation alone. Our team of Western Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers can fight to get you the support and compensation you need to start putting your life back together. We have stood by many families, and we care about every client who turns to us for help.

Trucking companies and their insurers know that we are serious about helping our clients fight for what they need. Our team has a proven history of getting real results, so you can focus on recovering, not stressing over paperwork and phone calls.

If you’ve been in a truck accident recently or need guidance on what to do next, reach out today. We are here to listen, answer your questions, and work with you every step of the way. Your recovery is our priority, and we’re ready to help you move forward.

Contact us today at (724) 658-8535 to learn how we can help you with your truck accident claim. Based in New Castle, we serve clients throughout Western Pennsylvania.

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Pennsylvania Truck Accident Claims

Moments after a truck accident, call 911, get medical help, and wait for the police. Under Pennsylvania law, police must investigate crashes involving injury, death, or a vehicle that requires towing, and they must forward an initial written crash report (the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Police Crash Report, historically the ‘AA-500’) to PennDOT within 15 days. If police do not investigate, the driver must file the Driver’s Accident Report (Form AA-600) with PennDOT within five days.

While you focus on treatment, a Western Pennsylvania truck accident lawyer can notify insurers, photograph the crash scene, and send a preservation letter promptly. Federal rules require motor carriers to retain electronic logging device (ELD) duty-status records for six months, but other electronic evidence, such as dash-cam or exterior surveillance video, can cycle or be deleted much sooner. Acting early helps secure both kinds of evidence.

Truck accident claims rely on evidence unique to commercial vehicles: the tractor’s black box (Event Data Recorder), driver logbooks, cell-phone records, maintenance files, dash-cam video, and advanced telematics. These records can reveal driver fatigue, hours-of-service violations, or neglected maintenance, which are less common in typical car crashes.

Next comes the insurance phase. Federal rules mandate most interstate haulers to carry at least $750,000 in liability coverage, with higher limits (e.g., $1 million or $5 million) for vehicles carrying hazardous materials. The driver, carrier, broker, loader, and even a parts manufacturer may share liability, allowing claims against multiple policies. Your lawyer can counter low-ball offers from adjusters and address Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence rule, which may reduce recovery if you’re found partially at fault.

Once you finish acute medical care, your attorney can prepare a demand package and open settlement talks. If offers come up short, a lawsuit is filed within Pennsylvania’s two-year statute of limitations. Discovery pries loose additional records, followed by mediation. Most cases settle, but thorough trial preparation ensures pressure on the defense for a fair settlement or verdict.

What to Do After a Truck Accident

After a truck crash, your first job is safety. Dial 911, get to a secure location if possible, and allow medical professionals to check you even if you think you’re fine. Adrenaline hides injuries, and prompt evaluation protects your health and your claim. Head hits are tricky; watch for headache, dizziness, confusion, or vomiting, and get checked again if symptoms show up later.

Record what happened by taking pictures of the vehicles’ placement, any damage, skid marks, road conditions, and your injuries. Get the truck’s DOT number, the driver’s name and employer, license and plate, and insurance. Get the names and contact details of any witnesses. Stick to clear, factual statements, and avoid making guesses about speed or who caused the accident.

Notify the police about the accident and ask for the incident number. If the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) responded, you or your attorney can request the official crash report online or through the mail. If a local police agency handled the scene, contact that department directly to obtain the report. Save every medical bill, time-off note, and repair estimate in one folder.

Notify your insurance company as soon as possible, but don’t provide a recorded statement to the trucking company’s insurer until you’ve spoken with an attorney. Commercial carriers must follow strict federal rules, including post-accident alcohol and drug testing in defined situations. That testing timetable matters in proving liability.

Call a New Castle truck accident lawyer as soon as you are stable. Your attorney can send preservation letters to secure black-box data, dashcam video, driver logs, and dispatch records before they are lost, coordinate an independent vehicle inspection, line up medical documentation, and handle all insurer contacts. Your lawyer can also pull the police report for you and help you avoid common pitfalls that cut the value of a claim. You focus on healing; your legal team builds the case and timelines grounded in Pennsylvania and federal safety standards.

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Western Pennsylvania Truck Accident Lawyers

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Lawrence M. Kelly

Larry Kelly has built a distinguished legal career representing the people of Western Pennsylvania with a blend of legal skill and heartfelt advocacy. His deep ties to the New Castle area and decades of courtroom experience make him a trusted ally for truck accident victims seeking justice.

  • Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy
  • Practicing since 1983 with extensive trial experience
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers honoree for 18 consecutive years
  • Top 1% by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel (2024)
  • Former member, Disciplinary Board of the PA Supreme Court (2013–2018)
Joseph A. George

Joseph A. George, Partner

An unwavering dedication to preparation defines Joe George’s approach to truck accident litigation. With dual bar admissions and a track record of successful outcomes, Joe is a go-to attorney for injury claims in Pennsylvania and Ohio.

  • Admitted in both PA and OH
  • AV Preeminent rating for legal ability and ethics
  • Focuses on personal injury, truck accidents, and medical malpractice
  • Super Lawyers selection (2018–2024)
  • J.D. from Duquesne University School of Law

Identifying the Causes of Truck Accidents

Pennsylvania uses a ‘choice no-fault’ system under the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law (MVFRL). Drivers must carry first-party medical benefits (often called ‘PIP’) of at least $5,000, which pay medical bills regardless of fault. When you buy your policy, you choose between limited tort and full tort.

With limited tort, your ability to recover non-economic damages (like pain and suffering) is restricted unless you suffered a ‘serious injury’, defined by statute as death, serious impairment of body function, or permanent serious disfigurement, or your case fits a statutory exception (for example, DUI by the at-fault driver or an at-fault vehicle registered out of state). Full tort preserves your unrestricted right to claim non-economic damages.

Truck accidents often cause serious injuries, so first-party medical benefits are frequently exhausted. In those cases, you can pursue claims against the driver, carrier, and other responsible entities. Keep in mind Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule: your compensation is reduced by your share of fault and barred entirely if you are more than 50% at fault.

Some of the most common causes of truck accidents include:

  • Truck driver error or negligence
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Hours-of-service violations
  • Overloaded trucks
  • Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo
  • Failure to conduct routine truck maintenance
  • Defective trucks or truck parts
  • Dangerous roadway construction or design
  • Improper truck repairs
  • Trucking company negligence
  • Unrealistic deadlines and quotas for truck drivers
  • Negligent hiring, training, or supervising
  • Pressure from trucking companies to violate state or federal law

At Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C., we can work with a team of highly skilled accident reconstructionists, as well as other professionals, to investigate these claims and determine how the accident occurred. Our New Castle truck accident lawyers use all available evidence to develop innovative legal strategies and build powerful cases on behalf of our clients.

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What Are the Common Injuries Suffered in a Truck Accident in Pennsylvania?

Truck accidents can result in a wide range of injuries, varying in severity from minor to life-threatening. These accidents involve large and heavy vehicles, which can lead to more devastating consequences compared to regular car collisions.

When a large truck is involved in an accident with a smaller vehicle, the occupants of the passenger vehicle often suffer severe and life-altering injuries. These injuries can range from traumatic brain injuries to broken bones and more.

Here is a list of injuries truck crash victims often sustain:

  • Brain Injuries: Truck accident victims may suffer a range of traumatic brain injuries, from mild concussions to severe permanent disabilities.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: These types of injuries can cause partial or full paralysis and require long-term medical care and rehabilitation.
  • Internal Bleeding/Organ Damage: Truck accidents frequently result in significant internal hemorrhaging, which is often life-threatening if not treated quickly enough.
  • Broken Bones: The forceful impact of trucking crashes can easily break bones around the body, including arms, legs, hips, ribs, skull, and more.
  • Soft Tissue Injury (Whiplash): Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly jerked back and forth beyond its normal range of motion due to an impact with a large truck or other commercial vehicle; this type of injury can lead to chronic pain over time if left untreated.
  • Burn Injuries: Chemical spills resulting from truck accidents can cause serious burn injuries that require specialized treatment for recovery and scarring prevention measures, such as skin grafts or laser treatments, are sometimes necessary in lieu of traditional surgeries like skin flaps or excisional surgery.
  • Emotional Trauma: Victims may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, and depression due to the sudden physical and emotional trauma of a truck accident.

Unfortunately, these victims are not always able to recover fully from their physical trauma due to the catastrophic nature of truck accidents. That’s why it is important for those who have been injured in a truck accident to seek legal guidance from experienced trucking accident attorneys near them. The New Castle truck accident attorneys at Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. understand how best to secure compensation for their clients’ losses. We can help you pursue compensation for all of your losses related to your trucking accident.

Parameter Description Pennsylvania/Federal Standard
Minimum liability insurance Required coverage for interstate trucks $750,000 for general freight
Hazardous materials coverage Required for vehicles carrying hazardous cargo Up to $5,000,000
ELD record retention Duration carriers must keep electronic log data 6 months
Comparative negligence rule Plaintiff can recover if fault is not greater than 50% Damages reduced by plaintiff’s fault percentage
Statute of limitations Time limit to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim 2 years from the date of the crash

Contact New Castle Truck Accident Attorneys for a Free Consultation

Our Family is Here to Help Yours

We invite you to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our attorneys today. With several offices located throughout Western Pennsylvania, we serve clients in New Castle, Beaver Falls, Butler, Ellwood City, Cranberry Township, and all of the surrounding areas. Our firm offers personal injury legal services on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not pay any attorney fees or litigation-related costs unless we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf.

Learn More

Determining who is liable for a truck accident is a complicated task. Often, there are multiple parties involved, including the truck driver, his or her employer, and various entities responsible for truck maintenance and repairs, cargo loading and securing, and tractor/trailer leasing. The truck driver may be an independent contractor; the tractor and trailer may be separately owned; the road on which the accident occurred may contain a defect that contributed to the accident.

It is important that you work with a skilled and experienced truck accident attorney, like ours at LGKG, when it comes to identifying the liable party. In some cases, you may have a claim against the trucking company or its insurance provider. In other instances, you could be entitled to compensation from a manufacturer, third-party motorist, or even the truck driver. Our team knows how to thoroughly investigate these claims and pursue all possible avenues of compensation on your behalf.

Victims of semi-truck and other large truck accidents are often left with debilitating injuries. Treating these injuries may require hospitalization, multiple surgeries, ongoing pain management, and other critical medical care. When these injuries result in lasting disabilities or impairments, victims may never be able to return to their once-normal lives.

At LGKG, we seek maximum compensation on behalf of truck accident victims, including but not limited to the following damages:

  • Past, current, and future medical expenses
  • Past, current, and future lost income and wages
  • Loss of employment benefits
  • Costs associated with home modifications
  • Past, current, and future pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement
  • Inconvenience
  • Loss of earning capacity due to disability or impairment
  • In-home assistance and care costs

In some cases, victims may seek punitive damages. Unlike compensatory damages, punitive damages punish and deter ‘outrageous’ conduct, i.e., conduct showing an evil motive or a reckless indifference to the rights of others. Mere negligence, even ‘gross’ negligence, does not suffice without that heightened state of mind.

Our truck accident attorneys in New Castle are prepared to seek all possible forms of compensation on your behalf. We understand just how devastating truck accidents are, both for victims and their families, and we work tirelessly to help you recover every penny you are owed.