PHILADELPHIA TRUCK ACCIDENT LAWYER
Content Legally Reviewed & Approved
This page has been written and edited by a team of experienced legal writers. This page was approved by Managing Partner, Michael Saile who has more than 20 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney.
Any vehicle crash can cause extensive damage and injuries. Commercial truck accidents, however, have a greater chance of resulting in life-threatening, long-term, or even fatal injuries. Expenses can pile up if you cannot return to work, leaving you with no way to pay your bills or obtain the medical treatment you need.
Filing and pursuing a claim is complex and fraught with legal pitfalls. You need an experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyer to help you navigate this daunting process. At Cordisco & Saile LLC, we’ll work to protect your legal rights, help you get medical treatment, and obtain the compensation you deserve.
We can help you recover after a truck accident. Contact us today at 215-642-2335 to get started.
Navigate This Page
- Why Choose Cordisco & Saile’s Truck Accident Lawyers?
- Who Was at Fault in My Commercial Truck Accident?
- How Will a Lawyer Establish Liability?
- What Damages Can I Recover for My Truck Accident Claim?
- How Much Is My Claim Worth?
- Trucking and Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
- Car Occupants Are at Higher Risk in Truck Accidents
- Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia Today
Why Choose Cordisco & Saile's Truck Accident Lawyers?
At Cordisco & Saile LLC, our clients are our priority. We take a people-centric approach, viewing each client as a person first and an accident victim second. We’ve been fighting for the rights of injured victims throughout Philadelphia and beyond for over three decades, working tirelessly to secure the compensation they deserve.
Over the years, we’ve built a robust reputation and a track record of success, securing tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements for car and truck accident victims. Our case results speak for themselves:
- $10,000,000 settlement for a local first responder injured in a truck collision
- $2,900,000 settlement for a motorcyclist who suffered a traumatic brain injury
- $1,377,000 verdict for a Bucks County car accident victim
Our award-winning team has earned national recognition from Super Lawyers, Elite Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel Top One Percent. Our accolades testify to our experience and dedication to helping clients like you get the compensation they deserve.
We understand how overwhelming and stressful the aftermath of these cases often is. While you focus on healing, we will handle every step of your case. We recognize the financial burden often accompanying injuries from accidents, so we never charge upfront fees. You only have to pay once we win.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, our experienced Philadelphia truck accident law firm can help.
What Our Clients Say About Our Philadelphia Truck Accident Attorneys
Our tireless work ethic, decades of experience, and unwavering dedication to our clients deliver results, as reflected in their testimonials. Read what they have to say:
When I was injured, my family reached out to Cordisco & Saile. From the first moment, I knew I had nothing to worry about and felt comfortable leaving everything in their hands. I was informed every step of the way of the ongoing process and game plan of the process. I highly recommend them if you want the comfort of knowing things are taken care of.
I’ve had a great experience working with Cordisco & Saile. Dealing with Joan G. was like dealing with family, she was down to earth, understanding, and compassionate. I hope I never have to do it again, but if I do, I want Joan from Cordisco’s!!!
Mike and Maria are a great team!! During a very stressful time in my life, they helped to make this process a lot easier. Communication was excellent! I would absolutely recommend Cordisco and Saile to family and friends!
Who Was at Fault in My Commercial Truck Accident?
Commercial trucks transport consumer goods nationwide every day, mostly without incident. However, when these large, unwieldy vehicles do crash, they can cause devastation for other motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
If a crash results from the negligence of a driver, trucking company, owner, or operator—or some combination of these—the responsible party or parties must take accountability for the damages they cause. In addition to the duty of care that truck drivers owe to the public, trucking companies and operators must maintain the vehicles, load trailers appropriately, and follow applicable laws and federal regulations.
Determining fault and proving liability for a truck accident requires an understanding of this complex industry—as well as the laws and regulations that govern it. We can help you navigate this legal minefield. We will thoroughly investigate the circumstances of the accident, whether it was a Philadelphia Amazon truck accident, Fedex accident, or any other commercial vehicle, to determine who was responsible before we document and submit your compensation claim.
Throughout the process, we will inform you of our progress on your case as we fight to get you the financial settlement you deserve for your injuries. This allows you to focus on healing, recovering, and getting your life back on track.
How Will a Lawyer Establish Liability?
We will begin by investigating your accident, gathering all available evidence, and analyzing it to identify the cause and the parties responsible. In truck accidents where the driver was at fault, these are some of the most common causes:
- Fatigued driving
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while impaired
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Speeding
- Ignoring roadway signage
- Disobeying traffic laws
In accidents where the trucking company, owner, or equipment manufacturer was at fault, these are some of the most common causes:
- Violation of safety regulations
- Lack of driver qualifications
- Improper driver training
- Improper vehicle service or maintenance
- An improperly loaded trailer
- Mechanical defects and failures
Once we identify who was at fault and why, we will prove the four legal elements of negligence.
Duty of Care
Commercial truck drivers, trucking firms, and operators must exercise a duty of care to the public. They must obey traffic laws, limit their driving hours per laws and regulations, and never drive while impaired or distracted. Commercial trucking companies also have a legal duty to properly service, maintain, and inspect the vehicles for safety while following all industry regulations.
Breach of Duty
When semi-truck drivers fail to operate the vehicle safely, they violate their duty of care. When the trucking company disregards maintenance requirements, fails to provide driver training, or improperly loads a trailer, that company also has breached its duty of care.
Causation
If a breach of duty ultimately leads to an accident in which someone dies or sustains injuries, that party is liable for the accident and resulting damages.
Actual Damages
The final step is to prove actual damages. We will provide documentation in the form of medical bills, wage statements, and expert testimony to show how much your truck crash has cost you. We will also present evidence showing the effects of your injury on your life.
Armed with this evidence, we can negotiate with the insurance company. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate a reasonable settlement, we can file a personal injury lawsuit and fight for your case in court.
What Damages Can I Recover for My Truck Accident Claim?
Victims injured in truck accidents can recover two primary types of damages: economic and non-economic. Economic damages cover the monetary expenses associated with your accident, including the following:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of or diminished future earning capacity
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
Non-economic damages cover the harder-to-quantify, non-financial impacts on your life, including the following:
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Physical disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
In rare cases, Pennsylvania courts may also award punitive damages to punish the defendant for their actions and deter future misconduct. However, since the courts only award these damages in cases involving malicious, wonton, willful, oppressive, or reckless indifference to the rights of others, they’re rare in personal injury cases.
A skilled Philadelphia truck accident attorney can help you navigate your case and determine fair compensation amounts.
How Much Is My Claim Worth?
The ultimate value of your claim will depend on the circumstances of your accident, the nature of your injuries, and the likelihood of making a full recovery. We will assemble the documentation necessary to support your request for a fair truck accident settlement.
We’ll use essential information to begin building your case, including your medical bills, care costs, and lost wages from the date of the crash onward. Using information and testimony from doctors and medical experts, we will also project your future costs for treatment, therapy, rehabilitation, and any other medical needs you will have.
Next, we will project your future lost wages and any loss of earning potential. If you experienced any long-term or permanent injuries or disability, we will assign a value for your loss. You will also likely be eligible for non-economic damages, which we will calculate before fighting for every penny.
The final value of your claim will depend on the losses you suffered because of the crash. If you became paralyzed, lost a digit or limb, or sustained permanent damage to an organ, for example, your claim will have a significantly higher value.
This process is complex, and given insurance companies’ tactics for minimizing payouts, having help from an experienced Philadelphia truck lawyer is essential. Your lawyer can help you understand the average truck accident settlement and determine a fair amount for your case.
Trucking and Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies have one objective—to pay as little as possible for your claim. Considering the size of 18-wheelers and semi trucks on Philadelphia roadways, the damage resulting from accidents is often extensive and expensive. They don’t want to pay for that.
You could attempt to take on the insurance company alone. However, they will likely deny your claim outright or send a team of high-powered lawyers to intimidate you. Their seemingly endless resources, with adjusters, investigators, and lawyers, can quickly become intimidating.
Insurance companies use the common tactic of offering a quick settlement for a tiny fraction of your claim’s true value. They may also try to obtain a statement from you that they can later use against you. They may even trick you into signing away your rights to compensation.
When you have one of our skilled, experienced attorneys representing you, the insurance company and lawyers will realize you are serious about pursuing the compensation you deserve. Our resources and knowledge give you an advantage over going it alone.
We understand how this process works and know how to protect your rights. We can build a convincing claim using evidence like witness statements, accident scene photos, safety records, vehicle maintenance and inspection data, and medical and safety expert testimony. We may even consult accident scene reconstruction experts to help demonstrate fault and liability.
Even more importantly, our attorneys take a personal interest in your case. We will not stop until we establish the at-fault party’s liability and hold them responsible for the damages they caused. We will do everything we can to get the results you need to recover from your truck crash.
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, our experienced Philadelphia truck accident lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC are here to help.
Car Occupants Are at Higher Risk in Truck Accidents
In 2022, 7,646 truck accidents on Pennsylvania roadways contributed to 2,218 injuries and 158 fatalities. While truck accidents are a mere percentage of the hundreds of accidents that occur throughout the state every day, they often have more serious consequences due to the sheer size of these vehicles.
An 18-wheeler far outweighs smaller cars and trucks traversing Philadelphia roadways by a long shot. These trucks weigh a whopping 80,000 pounds fully loaded and up to 35,000 pounds empty.
Compared to the average weight of a car at around 4,000 pounds, it’s no surprise that occupants of these vehicles are at a much higher risk of injury or death in truck accidents. The resulting injuries can range from mild to severe, including:
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Crush injuries
A knowledgeable Philadelphia truck accident injury lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve to offset the costs associated with your injuries.
Contact a Truck Accident Lawyer in Philadelphia Today
If you or a loved one has sustained serious injuries in a truck accident in Philadelphia caused by another’s negligence, the knowledgeable attorneys of Cordisco & Saile LLC are here to help. Our experienced team will protect your legal rights and fight diligently on your behalf.
We offer complimentary consultations to help you take the first steps toward pursuing the compensation you deserve. Call us today at 215-642-2335 or fill out our online contact form to learn more.
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Our Attorneys
Real Stories. Real Results.
“I was in a serious accident in 2021. My injuries were new however they mimicked some of the injuries I received in a 2017 accident. After treating with 2 doctors, both who stated my injuries were permanent, I was recommended to Cordisco & Saile. My attorney, Steven DeBonis, was wonderful. He listened and guided me through the process. He worked endlessly to ensure I received a proper settlement. I am so grateful for his effort and kindness. I would highly recommend him to anyone who needed someone to fight for them. The staff was friendly, informative and helpful. They are the best legal team around. Thank you for all you have done.”
I had a slip and fall on Saturday, December 21, 2024. I waited a few days before calling Barbara’s firm and when I decided to reach out, I left a message late at night on the 23rd. First thing Christmas Eve day, Barbara calls me to let me know. She received the message and wanted to chat about my fall. She was extremely professional, detailed the process, and what they would look for in terms of backup documentation, but also instilled a sense of safety and security because she was kind, compassionate and empathetic. She gave the distinct impression that my case would be well researched thoroughly but also be done ethically without having me jump through a whole lot of extra hoops. Five stars, would highly recommend.”
“I had a car accident in January 2019. I called Cordisco and Saile. Michael Saile Jr. worked with me along with his associate Steve, and para legal Michele. They treated me with kindness and respect. I had injuries to my neck and spine. I went through months of physical therapy. The person who t- boned my car had no license, registration or insurance, therefore Mr. Saile had to put together a lawsuit against my own insurance company. I had limited tort insurance but Mr. Saile and his people fought to get me the most money that I was entitled to from my insurance company. It took four years due to the pandemic but they kept at it until they reached the maximum. I cannot thank them enough. Everyone in their office worked very hard for me. I would highly recommend this firm to anyone who has had an accident, or any legal work.”
We’re here to listen, help you understand your legal options, and support you during this difficult time. Remember, there is never any cost or obligation when you call our team to learn about your options.
What to expect when you submit the form:
- You will receive confirmation that your form has been submitted.
- A legal professional will reach out to you during your preferred time within 24 hours.
- We will send you information about our law firm and the process of filing a lawsuit.
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Read Our Blogs
Average Truck Accident Settlement in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the average truck accident settlement can range into the millions, depending on the circumstances.
Can I Sue After Getting Hit by a Semi-Truck in Pennsylvania?
You may be eligible to sue after getting hit by a semi-truck in Pennsylvania if your case meets certain criteria.
How Is Fault Determined After a Truck Accident?
Fault is typically assigned based on a party’s negligence. To prove negligence, a party must establish the four elements.
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