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Sheridan & Murray: Trusted Pennsylvania and New Jersey Truck Accident Lawyers

At Sheridan & Murray, our Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers know that large trucks present serious dangers on the road. These vehicles are bigger and far more difficult to operate and steer than standard size cars and other small vehicles that share the road. Each year, large trucks are involved in an astonishing number of accidents on our roadways. In 2004 alone, an estimated 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents throughout the United States. Out of the nearly half a million accidents involving trucks and semis, 4,862 were involved in fatal accidents.

At Sheridan & Murray, our trial lawyers believe that it is the responsibility of the truck drivers and the trucking companies that employ them to operate and manage their vehicles in a safe manner. Reckless driving, extra-large cargo loads, and various other hazardous practices not only put the public in danger, but the truck drivers as well. Our Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers are experienced in handling these types of cases and can help answer any questions you may have. At Sheridan & Murray you will get an experienced and aggressive team of trial lawyers that will fight for your right to be compensated.

Please take the time to review the important information below. If you have further questions, our truck accident lawyers will be happy to provide you with answers you need.

• What do I need to know about trucking accidents?
• How are trucking accidents investigated?
• What are the main causes of trucking accidents?
• Why should I choose Sheridan & Murray?

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Trucking Accidents: What you need to know

Our Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers want you to know that you have rights if you have been involved in a truck accident.

Did you know that…

• In 2004, one out of every eight traffic fatalities resulted from a collision involving a large truck.
• 98 percent of vehicle occupants killed in two-vehicle accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a large truck were occupants of the passenger vehicle.
• Large trucks have higher fatal crash rates per mile traveled than passenger vehicles. In 2004, an estimated 416,000 large trucks were involved in traffic accidents in the United States. Of those, 4,862 were involved in fatal accidents.
• A total of 5,079 people were killed and an additional 116,000 people were injured in accidents involving a large truck. Of the 5,079 people killed, only 15 percent were truck occupants, while 77 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles, and 8 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.
• Of the 116,000 people injured, 24 percent were truck occupants while 73 percent were occupants of passenger vehicles, and 3 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

At Sheridan & Murray, our Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers know that trucking companies have the resources to avoid being held liable for their mistakes. This makes it very important that you have a knowledgeable lawyer and experts working diligently to protect your rights. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, please contact our trial lawyers today.

Our trial attorneys and experts have the experience and expertise needed to handle even the most serious trucking accident cases, and can help you obtain the compensation you and your loved ones deserve.

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How are trucking accidents investigated?

It is important to know your rights when you are involved in any type of accident. However, our New Jersey and Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers believe that it is imperative that these critical steps are followed:

• In every truck accident case, it is very important to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation.
• Immediate attention must be taken to preserve and document the scene of the accident and the different vehicles involved.
• Do not give statements or sign any releases for medical records or employment records until you have spoken to an attorney. Often the medical release allows the adjuster to communicate with your doctors without you or anyone being present.
• Do not speak with the insurance companies and adjusters for the trucking company - they are working against you and will not help you.

The Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers of Sheridan & Murray typically hire a private investigator and accident reconstruction expert to investigate the accident. This often includes examining and photographing the accident scene and vehicles involved, checking any equipment for apparent defects, analyzing pertinent evidence, reconstructing the accident, and conducting interviews of witnesses, police officers, EMS personnel, and wrecker drivers. This is necessary because far too many accidents are NOT properly investigated by the responding police departments (which sometimes lack well-trained experts in accident reconstruction).

At the Philadelphia and New Jersey offices of Sheridan & Murray, our trucking accident lawyers perform their own investigations utilizing highly trained experts in order to protect our clients’ rights. The lawyers of Sheridan & Murray work to level the playing field when individuals are injured in trucking accidents.

Contact our offices today if you have been involved in a trucking accident. Our trucking accident attorneys are experienced in trial litigation and are your best choice for legal representation.

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What are the main causes of trucking accidents?

Our New Jersey and Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers want you to feel safe on our nation’s roads. It is imperative that you are educated in what to look for to avoid a trucking accident.

Like car accidents, truck accidents can occur due to a wide variety of reasons, including:

• Inadequate driver training
• Overloaded trucks
• Oversized trucks
• Unsecured cargo / loads
• Air brake failure
• Improper / Defective equipment
• Unsafe & improper towing
• Poor maintenance of trucks
• Poor weather conditions
• Inexperience of truck driver
• Aggressiveness of truck driver
• Carelessness of truck driver
• Recklessness of truck driver
• Speeding truck driver
• Tractor trailer leaving the roadway
• Jack-knifing of tractor trailer
• Truck driver fatigue / Driving too long without sleep or rest
• Failure to yield
• Alcohol / Drug usage
• Unsafe safety systems, lights, reflectors, and warning devices
• Lack of underide protection underguard on truck
• Violation of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations

Accidents involving trucks and big rigs are regulated by a complex set of laws, which require substantially more evidence than the average car accident case. Due to the complicated nature of these cases, it is imperative that you have a knowledgeable and experienced lawyer working to protect your rights.

Dealing with trucking and insurance companies can be extremely difficult after you have been in an accident. Companies often employ aggressive accident investigators that are called to the accident scene soon after the crash occurs to begin collecting evidence. Their main focus is not to help the victims, but to build and support the case to protect the financial interests of the trucking company. This is why it is so important for victims to retain a trial attorney and their own team of experts to help them fight the trucking and insurance companies.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, please contact the Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers of Sheridan & Murray. Our trial attorneys have the experience and expertise needed to handle these complex and difficult cases to obtain the compensation you deserve.

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Why should I choose Sheridan & Murray?

Our Pennsylvania and New Jersey truck accident lawyers are experienced and aggressive trial lawyers that know how to deal with insurance companies. We work with engineers, bio mechanical experts, toxicologists, visual acuity experts, physicians, and various other experts to ensure that our clients receive the attention and representation they deserve. We want to help you obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.

The trucking accident lawyers of Sheridan & Murray understand the rules of the road and the special duties imposed upon commercial and common carriers. Our trial attorneys understand the scientific and engineering principles necessary to unravel just how a trucking accident occurred. You will not find a more dedicated team of trial lawyers to represent you and your loved ones.

Contact the law offices of Sheridan & Murray today for your no cost consultation.