Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawyer Pittsburgh, PA

PA Personal Injury Attorney Represents Commercial Vehicle Accident Victims in Allegheny County, Butler County, Washington County, and Across Western Pennsylvania

If you have been injured in a truck accident in which the defendant was driving a commercial vehicle, then Pennsylvania law may give you a right of action for significant damages as compensation for your losses. Commercial vehicle accidents — unlike “normal” auto accidents involving personal vehicles — tend to favor injured plaintiffs in the sense that they can potentially sue the employer for damages.

Here at Matzus Law, LLC in Pittsburgh, PA, we have litigated numerous truck accident, tractor-trailer accident, and commercial vehicle accident claims. We encourage you to get in touch with an experienced Pittsburgh commercial vehicle accident lawyer at our firm for further assistance on how to proceed with your claims and secure the compensation to which you are entitled.

Vicarious Liability in Pennsylvania Work Accident Cases

The doctrine of vicarious liability — in Pennsylvania and elsewhere — imposes liability on employers for the losses caused by the negligent conduct of their employees, so long as the employees were acting within the course and scope of their employment. Vicarious liability is not an independent claim brought against the employer. Instead, the claim that you bring against the driver-employee applies to the employer as well.

For example, suppose that you are injured in an accident involving a trailer truck on a road in Pennsylvania. The driver is a professional employed by the shipping company. It turns out that the driver was speeding and had improperly loaded their cargo, which led to a rollover accident that caused you to suffer severe injuries. Although the employer may not have been independently negligent, you could may be able to hold them liable for the damages.

Negligent Hiring & Liability in Greensburg, PA

Negligent hiring claims are separate and independent claims brought against the employer in commercial vehicle accident scenarios. In other words, you can impose vicarious liability on the employer (for damages caused by the driver’s negligence), as well as negligent hiring liability.

When bringing a claim for negligent hiring in Pennsylvania, you are asserting that:

1. the employee acted negligently, causing you to suffer injuries;
2. the employer was aware of the particular risks posed by the employee, or should have known about such risks; and
3. the employer hired the employee despite such knowledge.

Let’s clarify with an example. Suppose that you are injured by a delivery truck driver in a collision accident on the highway. It turns out that the driver is unlicensed, and that they were incapable of competently operating the vehicle given their lack of training/licensure. You could arguably bring a negligent hiring action against the employer for negligent hiring — because the employer either knew about the lack of licensure, or should have known. They failed to conduct the proper background checks, which would have revealed the incompetence of the driver-employee.

Contact an Experienced Pittsburgh Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney at Matzus Law for Help

Attorney Jason Matzus has over two decades of experience representing injured claimants involved in a range of auto accidents, including commercial vehicle accidents in which the driver is an employee acting in the course and scope of their employment. Here at Matzus Law, LLC in Pittsburgh, PA, we are therefore well-equipped to assist injury victims with the complications typical of motor vehicle accident litigation where various third parties — employers and otherwise — are potentially liable.

Unlike many other personal injury firms in Pennsylvania, we are deeply committed to the provision of legal representation that prioritizes our clients. It is not enough for us to simply win a case — we strive to ensure that our clients can secure the maximum compensation they are entitled to under the law. For example, we have a licensed physician-assistant on staff to help us evaluate injuries more closely and guide our case strategy. We believe that client-oriented, comprehensive advocacy is also the most effective. As such, we keep clients engaged throughout the litigation process. If you have any questions or concerns about your Pittsburgh commercial vehicle accident case, we are more than happy to clarify the issues.

Call (412) 206-5300 today to schedule a free and confidential consultation with an experienced Pittsburgh commercial vehicle accident attorney at Matzus Law.