Truck Accident Lawyer in Pittston & Wilkes-Barre, PA
Northeastern Pennsylvania has become one of the busiest freight corridors on the East Coast. I-81, I-476 and Route 315 carry a steady stream of tractor-trailers to the warehouses and distribution centers around Pittston Township, Jenkins Township and Hanover Township. When a crash involves a commercial truck, injuries are often serious and the claim is more complicated than a typical car accident. Joyce, Carmody & Moran is a Pittston law firm that helps people hurt in truck crashes throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.
Why truck accident claims are different
More than one party may be responsible. Depending on what happened, responsibility can extend beyond the driver to the trucking company, the company that loaded the cargo, a maintenance shop, or the owner of the trailer.
Federal safety rules apply. Interstate trucking companies must follow Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules on hours of service, driver qualifications, inspections and maintenance. A violation can be important evidence.
The evidence can disappear. Trucks carry electronic logging devices and engine data that record speed, braking and hours on duty. Companies aren't required to keep all of it forever, so it's important to request that it be preserved quickly.
Insurance coverage is larger, and so is the defense. Commercial carriers carry higher insurance limits than personal drivers, and their insurers often send investigators to the scene within hours.
Truck crashes we help with
Tractor-trailer crashes on I-81, I-476 and Route 315
Jackknife and rollover accidents
Rear-end crashes caused by trucks that couldn't stop in time
Wide-turn and blind-spot ("no-zone") collisions
Crashes involving delivery vans and box trucks. See hit by a delivery truck.
Accidents in construction zones. See construction zone accidents.
Crashes caused by unsecured or shifting cargo
Common causes
Driver fatigue and hours-of-service violations
Speeding or following too closely, especially in winter weather
Distracted driving
Poor brake or tire maintenance
Overloaded or improperly loaded trailers
Inexperienced or poorly trained drivers
What a claim can include
Medical bills and future medical care
Lost wages and reduced ability to work
Pain and suffering (depending on your tort option and injuries)
Property damage
For families who lost someone, wrongful death and survival claims
Pennsylvania's general rules still apply: your own auto policy pays first-party medical benefits first, your tort option matters, and most claims must be filed within two years. Our truck accident guide explains more.
Hurt at work by a truck?
If you were injured on the job, for example at a warehouse loading dock or while driving for work, you may have a workers' compensation claim and a separate claim against a third party, such as another company's driver. See work injuries and third-party claims and warehouse and distribution center injuries.
What to do after a truck crash
Get medical care right away.
If you can, photograph the truck, its trailer number and the company name and USDOT number on the door.
Get names and contact information for witnesses.
Don't give a recorded statement to the trucking company's insurer before getting advice.
Talk to a lawyer early, so evidence like logbook and engine data can be requested before it's lost.
What it costs to talk to us
Truck accident cases are typically handled on a contingent-fee basis: the attorney's fee comes from a recovery, and if there is no recovery there is no attorney's fee. Clients may still be responsible for certain case costs depending on the outcome and the written fee agreement, which we explain before you sign. See how much a personal injury lawyer costs.
Where we help
We help people injured in truck accidents in Pittston, Wilkes-Barre, Jenkins Township, Pittston Township, Avoca, Dupont, Duryea, Moosic, Old Forge, Hanover Township and throughout Luzerne and Lackawanna counties. See all areas we serve.
Talk it through with someone local. If you were hurt in a crash with a truck, call our Pittston office at 570-602-3560 or request a free consultation. We'll review what happened and explain your options, with no cost for the first conversation and no obligation.
Let’s Work Together
When you work with us, you can expect clear communication, thoughtful strategy, and a team that is fully invested in your goals. We take the time to understand your needs, tailor our approach, and stand with you through every step of the legal process. Let’s move forward — together.