What Happens After a Fatal Truck Accident in Pennsylvania? A Guide for Families
Few events are more devastating than unexpectedly losing a family member in a highway collision.
When the death involves a tractor-trailer or commercial vehicle, grieving families may suddenly find themselves dealing with police investigators, insurance companies, medical bills, funeral expenses, and questions about what caused the crash.
Families should have the opportunity to focus on each other. At the same time, important evidence concerning a fatal truck accident in Pennsylvania may need to be preserved.
Who Investigates a Fatal Truck Accident?
Depending upon where and how the collision occurred, an investigation may involve state or local police and potentially other agencies.
The trucking company and its insurer may also begin their own investigation.
A family's attorney can conduct a separate civil investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death and potential legal responsibility.
What Evidence May Matter?
A fatal commercial-truck collision may involve evidence such as:
- Police investigative materials;
- Crash-scene photographs;
- Witness statements;
- Surveillance or traffic video;
- Dash-camera footage;
- Electronic truck data;
- Electronic logging device records;
- GPS information;
- Driver qualification records;
- Dispatch communications;
- Maintenance and inspection records;
- Cargo information; and
- Medical and other records.
The evidence required will depend upon the circumstances.
Why Does Early Preservation Matter?
Some evidence may be controlled by the trucking company or another third party.
Other information may be electronic and potentially subject to overwriting or retention practices.
Promptly identifying potentially important evidence can help ensure that the circumstances surrounding the collision can later be evaluated using the available objective information.
What Is a Pennsylvania Wrongful Death Claim?
Pennsylvania law provides legal remedies in certain circumstances when a person's death is caused by the wrongful conduct of another.
A separate survival claim may also be relevant.
Who may bring particular claims, what damages may be recoverable, and applicable deadlines are legal questions that depend upon Pennsylvania law and the facts of the case.
Families should obtain individualized advice rather than assume that insurance-company representatives will explain every potential claim available to them.
Should the Family Talk to the Trucking Company's Insurance Company?
Insurance representatives may contact family members after a fatal accident.
Before providing detailed recorded statements, signing releases, or resolving claims, consider speaking with an attorney.
A fatal trucking accident may involve substantial factual and legal issues that cannot necessarily be evaluated in the first days or weeks following the collision.
Pittsburgh Fatal Truck Accident and Wrongful Death Representation
At Frank Walker Law, we understand that no lawsuit can replace a family member.
Legal representation can, however, help a family investigate what happened, preserve important evidence, understand its rights, and determine whether another person or company should be held legally responsible.
If your family has lost a loved one in a fatal tractor-trailer or commercial-truck accident in Pittsburgh or Western Pennsylvania, contact Frank Walker Law to discuss your options.
If you believe this information could help another family, please like and share this article with your network. One of your friends or loved ones may someday face an unimaginable loss and need to know where to begin.
About Frank Walker Law
Attorney Frank Walker of Frank Walker Law is a National Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer, and Personal Injury Attorney who has been recognized as a Super Lawyer, a member of the National College for DUI Defense, Best Attorneys in America, Best Law firms of America, America’s Greatest Attorneys, and a Top AVVO Rated attorney, with offices in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania and Morgantown West Virginia.
Additionally, you can find Attorney Walker on YouTube, TikTok, the Pittsburgh Attorney Podcast and the West Virginia Attorney Podcast, where he gives legal tips (not advice!) and discusses the pressing legal issues of the day.
If you or someone you love are facing criminal charges or are seriously injured in an accident, contact Attorney Frank Walker immediately at 412-532-6805 (Pittsburgh), 304-413-0179 (Morgantown), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for aggressive and experienced Criminal Defense or Representation in a Civil Case.