Interstates 80 and 79 cross in Mercer County, so tractor-trailers pass through here around the clock. A wreck involving one of those trucks is not handled like a crash between two cars. Federal safety rules apply, more than one company may be at fault, and evidence can disappear quickly. At Conlon Tarker, P.C., our attorneys handle truck accident claims in Mercer County with those differences in mind.
Who Can Be Held Responsible Besides the Truck Driver?
The driver is only the first place we look. A commercial truck is hired, loaded, and repaired by different businesses, so our attorneys also investigate:
- The trucking company that hired and scheduled the driver
- A crew that loaded the trailer
- The shop that serviced the truck
- A manufacturer of a part that failed
These companies frequently blame one another. We sort out who did what before that finger-pointing slows your claim.
How We Preserve Truck Black Box Data
Most big rigs carry a “black box,” also called an event data recorder. It stores speed, braking, and other details from the seconds leading up to a crash. Some of that data can be overwritten once the truck returns to service. Our attorneys send the trucking company a written notice to keep the recorder and the driver’s logs untouched.
What FMCSA Rules Do Truck Drivers and Carriers Break?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, sets safety rules for commercial trucks. Under 49 C.F.R. § 395.3, most property-carrying drivers may drive no more than 11 hours after 10 consecutive hours off duty. When we prepare an I-80 tractor-trailer accident lawsuit, we look for violations such as:
- Driving past the hour limits
- Falsified logbooks
- Skipped inspections
- Missed drug testing
The same rules apply when a truck leaves the interstate and takes Routes 18, 19, or 62. A tired driver is dangerous on any of them.
Damages After a Serious or Fatal Truck Crash
Truck crashes often cause brain injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, and burns. Your claim may ask for payment covering:
- Medical treatment, now and later
- Wages you lost
- Pain and emotional distress
After a fatal crash, certain family members may seek funeral costs, final medical bills, and lost financial support. Our case results include $2 million for the four adult children of a Marine Corps veteran after a commercial box truck pulled into his motorcycle’s path. Results vary by case.
If the insurer will not settle fairly, we can file your case in the Mercer County Court of Common Pleas in downtown Mercer. Our lawyers prepare each claim as if it will end up there.
Why Choose Conlon Tarker for a Mercer County Truck Claim?
Once you hire Conlon Tarker, the insurance adjusters deal with our office. Our team sends investigators to the crash scene early to gather information. Behind that work is over three decades of combined experience with injury claims.
Talk With Us About Your Mercer County Truck Accident
Anyone can promise a big result. Our attorneys would rather earn your trust with work you can see. If you were hurt in Hermitage, Sharon, Farrell, Greenville, Grove City, or Mercer Borough, call 724-285-7700 or contact us online. Let’s talk about what happened.
