A garbage truck crashed into a Pittsburgh home and attorneys may help with monetary recovery.

Pennsylvania – June 1, 2021

A garbage truck crashed into a house in Etna near Pittsburgh minorly injuring one person, but severely damaging the property. The accident occurred at the intersection of Kittanning Street and William Flynn Highway on Tuesday afternoon. The front of the house was ripped off, but the mother and her two children, who were inside, were not injured. Crews stabilized the house, fearing it could collapse further. It is unclear if mechanical failure in the truck was the cause of the accident, as there was significant hydraulic fluid and oil leakage on the roadway, causing subsequent issues. Emergency crews were able to safely evacuate the family and their pets from the home, but the fire chief believes the house will be condemned after the damage to the structure. A skilled personal injury attorney can help sort out any insurance claims, or initiate civil litigation for damages arising out of the crash. They can effectively communicate with insurance carriers for the house, the truck, and the commercial garbage collection company after fault has been established.

Commercial trucking laws.

Pennsylvania commercial trucking laws are in place to protect drivers and mandate specific safety requirements for commercial drivers, in the hopes of reducing accidents. Size is a factor in the extensive damages caused by vehicles that are commonly 65 feet in length and weighing up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded. Size definitely contributed to the damage of this home, and accident attorneys can valuate damage compensation addressing temporary and long term living arrangements for the family that has been uprooted.

Insurance.

Federal regulations require large trucks to carry insurance coverage based on the transported cargo. The state of Pennsylvania requires a tractor trailer truck to carry a much higher minimum liability insurance policy than a typical automobile. The coverage amount needed depends on what freight is being hauled and where it is going. Pennsylvania utilizes the 51% rule, and accident parties can be 50% responsible for an accident and still collect damages in a personal injury claim.

A Pennsylvania accident lawyer can explain valuation determinations for insurance claims, and civil actions to pay damage compensation for economic loss, including lost wages, medical bills, medical care, property loss, plus household expenses; and non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, loss of consortium, or companionship. Punitive damages are contingent upon proving that a defendant deliberately, with reckless disregard, acted in a manner to cause harm to another person, and awarded on a case-by-case basis.

Damage capitations.

Monetary awards in Pennsylvania have no cap on most damages, but there is a cap of $500,000 against local government claims, and a $250,000 limit on claims against the State, and if the garbage truck was run by a municipal government, this cap may apply.

Hire a lawyer.

Truck accident victims should contact an experienced injury lawyer to fight for their rights. The laws and regulations related to the trucking industry can be difficult to understand, but the legal professionals of Scanlon & Wojton Attorneys at Law will be instrumental in property replacement and harmful losses.

Scanlon & Wojton, Attorneys at Law

Phone: (412) 918-1241

Fax: (412) 235-7275

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

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