Erie
Truck Accident Lawyer

On This Page

1. What Our Erie Truck Accident Lawyers Can Do for You
2. Types of Damages You Can Recover After an Accident With a Truck
3. Unsafe Trucking Company Practices That Can Lead to Accidents
4. Federal Regulations For Commercial Trucks Help Protect Other Drivers
5. Laws That Could Impact Your Truck Accident Lawsuit
6. Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Erie

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2024

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

A truck accident can turn your life upside down in a matter of seconds. Whether the crash involved serious injuries or property damage, the aftermath is often overwhelming—physically, emotionally, and financially. That’s where the Erie truck accident lawyers at Berger and Green come in. With decades of experience handling personal injury claims, our Erie personal injury lawyers understand how devastating these collisions can be. 

We know that truck accident cases involve more than just driver error—they often include negligent trucking companies, unsafe practices, and violations of federal regulations. If you were hurt in a truck crash, you don’t have to manage the legal process alone. We can review your case at no cost and help you understand your rights. Our team is ready to pursue the compensation you deserve, so you can focus on healing while we handle the rest.

What Our Erie Truck Accident Lawyers Can Do for You

Commercial truck accidents are often more complex than typical car crashes. In addition to the driver, other parties—such as trucking companies, cargo owners, vehicle maintenance crews, or even manufacturers—may bear legal responsibility for your injuries. Our Erie truck accident lawyers are skilled at identifying every potentially liable party and building a case that holds each one accountable.

We manage the legal complexities so you can focus on your recovery. Our team will:

• Investigate your accident thoroughly and gather key evidence, including medical records, witness statements, black box data, and police reports
• Review insurance policies and uncover all sources of compensation
• Assess the full value of your losses, including lesser-known or future expenses
• Negotiate with insurance companies and, if necessary, represent you at trial
• Explain each step in clear, straightforward terms
• Stand by your side from start to finish

By trusting our Erie truck accident attorneys, you’re not just hiring legal support—you’re gaining advocates who understand how to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

Our Truck Collision Attorneys Apply 40+ Years of Experience

Our personal injury firm has over four decades of experience with truck accidents and other personal injury cases. We apply that experience to our handling of your case, from dealing with a difficult insurance company and opposing lawyers to keeping track of paperwork and deadlines. Even if your case involves the loss of a family member, we can help.

Our accident lawyers have helped tens of thousands of people over the years, and we are committed to each of our clients. This commitment means we fight hard for a fair outcome, even if it means fighting for a client in court. You can expect your lawyer to fight hard in your case, too.

We Work for You on a Contingency Basis

We offer our services on a contingency basis, meaning we do not charge for our legal services unless we are successful with your case. This makes hiring an attorney very affordable, so don’t worry about paying any upfront costs or hidden fees. We can tell you more about how the contingency arrangement works during a free consultation.

Types of Damages You Can Recover After an Accident With a Truck

You could qualify to receive several types of damages as a result of your truck accident. They include:

• Medical bills, such as hospital stays, ambulance rides, medicine, surgeries, rehabilitation, mental health support, and out-of-pocket expenses
• The cost of medical equipment you need to recover from your injuries
• Changes to your home or car to accommodate wheelchairs or other mobility aids
• Property damage from the accident
• Lost income, including salaries, wages, or gigs
• Future loss of income if you are unable to return to work
• Lost benefits and opportunities from time away from work
• Pain and suffering, emotional distress, and reduced quality of life

In some cases, the court awards punitive damages if the defendant’s conduct was malicious or shows a reckless disregard for the rights of others. This is intended as a punishment to discourage negligent behavior from the defendant and other parties in the future.

If you were injured in a trucking accident due to someone’s negligence, taking stock of these losses can feel overwhelming, especially while you’re still in the midst of recovery. When you’re physically injured and emotionally traumatized, you don’t have the energy to figure out what compensation you deserve. Our law firm can handle cataloging all the expenses and personal losses associated with your crash.

Wrongful Death Damages After a Truck Accident

The significant difference in size between trucks and passenger vehicles makes truck collisions more likely to cause serious injury or even death. Indeed, most fatalities in crashes involving heavy trucks are passenger vehicle occupants, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

A deadly accident can devastate a family. If your loved one suffered a fatal collision, you might have damages you cannot comprehend or calculate. An Erie fatal truck accident lawyer from our firm can help you determine these damages and then attribute monetary values to them. Your family’s damages may include the following:

• Mental anguish
• Pain and suffering
• A reduced income
• Funeral costs and related expenses
• Your loss of spousal support
• Your children’s loss of parental support

Unsafe Trucking Company Practices That Can Lead to Accidents

Not every danger on the road stems from a direct violation of federal law—sometimes, the real problem lies in how a trucking company chooses to operate. Even when companies don’t technically break the rules, they often foster unsafe conditions that increase the likelihood of a serious accident.

At Berger and Green, our Erie truck accident lawyers investigate not only what happened during your crash, but also why it happened, and who allowed unsafe practices to continue unchecked. Many of the most dangerous incidents can be traced back to business decisions that prioritize speed and profit over public safety.

Some common unsafe trucking company practices include:

• Pushing drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, often encouraging them to skip breaks or exceed legal driving hours
• Inadequate training programs, especially for new drivers or those handling hazardous cargo
• Negligent hiring, such as failing to screen for prior violations or substance abuse issues
• Skipping routine vehicle maintenance to reduce downtime or cut costs
• Failure to discipline or retrain drivers with poor safety records
• Ignoring internal safety complaints or audit red flags

While some of these practices may eventually lead to federal safety violations, the behaviors themselves reflect a broader culture of negligence. In some cases, unsafe business practices result in direct violations of federal trucking regulations. These violations can provide powerful evidence of negligence—and may be key to strengthening your claim.

Our legal team uses these patterns to help demonstrate corporate responsibility and secure full compensation for our clients.

Causes of Truck Accidents That May Allow You to Pursue Damages

Truck accidents often result from a combination of human error, mechanical failure, and poor decision-making under pressure. When large commercial vehicles are involved, even a single mistake can have devastating consequences due to their size and weight. Identifying the cause of your crash is a critical first step in determining liability and building a strong case.

Some of the most common real-world causes of trucking accidents include:

• Driver fatigue: Long hours on the road, often under pressure to meet tight deadlines, can cause drivers to lose focus or fall asleep behind the wheel.
• Distracted driving: Activities like texting, eating, adjusting controls, or using GPS systems can pull a driver’s attention from the road at critical moments.
• Driving under the influence: Alcohol or drug use severely impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination.
• Poor training or inexperience: Some drivers are put on the road without adequate training in handling heavy loads, navigating traffic, or responding to emergencies.
• Equipment failure: Malfunctioning brakes, tires, lights, or steering systems can turn a routine drive into a catastrophic event.
• Improper cargo loading: Overloaded or unevenly distributed freight can affect a truck’s stability and stopping ability.

Truck drivers may also engage in unsafe practices like speeding, tailgating, or failing to yield. While many of these actions are preventable, they often result from systemic issues within trucking companies. In some cases, these behaviors may also violate federal safety standards.

Federal Regulations For Commercial Trucks Help Protect Other Drivers

Commercial truck drivers and the companies that employ them are subject to strict federal safety standards enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These regulations are designed to reduce the risk of crashes and ensure that both vehicles and drivers are operating safely on the road. Unfortunately, these rules are often ignored or violated—putting everyone around a commercial truck in danger.

Violations of FMCSA regulations can play a major role in truck accidents. If the trucking company or driver involved in your accident failed to follow these federal guidelines, that noncompliance could be critical evidence in your injury claim.

The FMCSA has a wide range of rules covering everything from how long a driver can be behind the wheel to how trucks must be maintained. Some of the most important include:

• Hours-of-Service (HOS) Regulations: Designed to prevent driver fatigue, these rules limit the number of hours a driver can operate a vehicle before taking mandatory rest breaks. Violating HOS rules is one of the leading causes of drowsy driving accidents.
• Driver Qualification Requirements: Drivers of certain commercial vehicles must possess a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL), meet medical standards, and maintain a clean driving record. Companies are responsible for verifying a driver’s eligibility before allowing them on the road.
• Drug and Alcohol Testing: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to conduct drug and alcohol testing at several stages—pre-employment, randomly throughout the year, after certain accidents, and before returning to duty after a violation.
• Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance Standards: Trucks must be regularly inspected and properly maintained. This includes brakes, tires, lights, and other critical components that affect safety.
• Cargo Securement Rules: The FMCSA outlines how cargo must be loaded and secured to prevent items from shifting, spilling, or falling during transport. Improperly secured cargo can lead to rollovers, jackknifes, or lost load accidents.

Common Violations That Lead to Serious Accidents

Even with these clear federal standards in place, violations are common. Many are the result of corner-cutting, poor oversight, or pressure to meet unrealistic delivery schedules. Some of the most frequently seen violations in truck accident cases include:

• Driving beyond the allowed hours without required rest, often to meet tight deadlines.
• Neglecting vehicle maintenance, resulting in worn brakes, faulty steering, or bald tires.
• Failing to conduct or document required inspections, creating blind spots in truck condition records.
• Operating without a valid or current CDL, or allowing disqualified drivers behind the wheel.
• Skipping mandatory drug and alcohol testing, or ignoring positive test results.
• Improper cargo loading or overloading, which can make trucks unstable or increase stopping distance.

When FMCSA violations are involved, they can serve as strong proof of negligence. Our legal team has experience identifying these violations and using them to build compelling claims for injured victims. We work to hold trucking companies accountable for cutting corners that lead to devastating consequences.

Laws That Could Impact Your Truck Accident Lawsuit

Pa. C.S.A. § 5524 imposes a statute of limitations on automobile accident lawsuits, whether a truck was involved or not. The deadline is typically two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file your lawsuit within two years of the incident, you will most likely lose the right to pursue damages.

Exceptions in Fatal Accidents

If you lost someone to a fatal motor vehicle accident, two claims potentially arise—a wrongful death claim and a survival action.

• A wrongful death claim is a claim brought on behalf of the deceased’s family for losses associated with the death of a loved one. This includes the funeral, burial and cremation, and loss of guidance or support.
• A survival action is for the deceased’s damages. This includes any remaining medical bills as well as acknowledgment of the suffering a loved one went through in the accident and until their death.

Because a wrongful death claim is for expenses associated with a loved one’s death, the statute of limitations begins to run at the time of the death. For any survival action, the statute of limitations starts at the time of the accident, as that is when the decedent’s injury began to occur.

Other Circumstances Can Affect Your Case

Pennsylvania’s fault laws can impact your legal action, with some circumstances limiting who can pursue damages depending on their role in the accident. Cases involving minors can also affect the deadline for filing a lawsuit.

Do not leave your case up to chance. Get information now about how long you have to file, any laws that could affect your case, and what types of claims and suits you can pursue.

Steps to Take After a Truck Accident in Erie

After a truck accident, your safety and health come first. Call 911 immediately to report the crash and request medical assistance, even if injuries seem minor. If you’re able, document the scene by taking photos, gathering witness contact information, and noting road conditions.

Avoid discussing fault or giving detailed statements to insurance representatives before speaking with a lawyer. Instead, notify your insurance company of the incident and seek a medical evaluation as soon as possible—some injuries may not be immediately apparent.

One of the most important steps you can take is to contact a truck accident lawyer right away. Trucking companies and their insurers often move quickly to minimize liability. Having legal representation early ensures critical evidence—like driver logs, truck maintenance records, and black box data—is preserved. It also protects your rights and gives you a stronger foundation for pursuing fair compensation.

Let an Erie Truck Accident Attorney Help With Your Next Steps

Contact our legal team at Berger and Green. After your free consultation and evaluation with a member of our team, your Erie truck accident lawyer can start working on your case, aiming for maximum compensation.

During your consultation, we will review your case with you and advise you on how to proceed. Contact us today and put our 40+ years of experience to work for your truck accident case.