Scanlon & Wojton accident lawyers can assist in the recovery of damages after a fatal multi-vehicle crash in Pittsburgh.

PITTSBURGH – October 12, 2020

A multi-vehicle accident on the South Side of Pittsburgh resulted in tragedy when a cement truck and a minivan had a head-on collision with further involvement of a parked car that was subsequently struck by the minivan. Both the driver of the minivan and the cement truck were taken to the hospital, and the passenger of the minivan suffered fatal injury at the scene.

Truck size.

The weight of a cement truck against the size and weight of a passenger vehicle can cause catastrophic damage in a crash between it and another moving vehicle, or stationary object.  Commercial trucking companies are deadline-imposed businesses, and occasionally driver errors caused by fatigue, safety violations, or weight distribution shifts may increase the chance of a truck accident.  A Pennsylvania truck accident attorney can guide a victim’s actions after someone has been fatally injured and assist with insurance claims, expediting payment to cover funeral expenses, and necessary litigation for damage compensation.

Regulations and insurance.

Pennsylvania commercial trucking laws are in place to protect the public and reduce motor vehicle accidents. There are state and federal regulations that require commercial vehicles to be inspected and maintained on a regular basis and the state of Pennsylvania may require higher insurance coverages than a passenger vehicle.  Insurance limitations on individual policies may not be high enough to pay when a fatality occurs.  The State of Pennsylvania uses both a “no-fault” system and a 3rd party liability system. Under Pennsylvania’s no-fault system, after a car accident, a driver may turn to his or her own insurance company for compensation for injuries up to the personal injury protection, or “PIP”  limit regardless of fault. Drivers also have the right to circumvent Pennsylvania’s no-fault law and proceed directly against the at-fault driver under certain circumstances that result in serious injury utilizing the modified comparative negligence rule.

Loss of life.

In Pennsylvania, family members, or legal representatives must file a wrongful death legal action to secure compensation when a loved one dies because of the negligent, reckless, or deliberate act of another.  A Pennsylvania personal injury attorney can assist with damages in these lawsuits that may include:

• Medical bills and treatment,
• Funeral and burial expenses,
• Lost wages compensation,
• Compensation for pain and suffering,
• Punitive damages based on the individual case.

Seek legal counsel.

Call an accident attorney in the Pittsburgh area to determine “fault” and actions toward a legal proceeding to address any damages and injuries sustained.  If you have lost a loved one in an accident with a truck, an experienced truck accident lawyer at Scanlon & Wojton will fight for your rights.

Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law

The Mitchell Building
304 Ross Street, Suite 510
Pittsburgh, Pa 15219

Phone:  (412) 918-1241

Fax: (412) 235-7275

Sources:

https://www.legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/42/00.071.002.000..HTM

https://www.nhtsa.gov/

https://www.wpxi.com/news/top-stories/1-person-dead-2-hospitalized-after-crash-involving-cement-truck-south-side/WFBFKK22LNBWNDPKFLD5EVMHOA/