Coal Truck Accidents in PA
Accidents involving coal trucks are extremely destructive and can result in serious injuries and deaths. And, on top of being destructive, coal truck accidents are more complicated, legally, than most other motor vehicle accidents.
If you are involved in an accident with a coal truck, it is important to work with an experienced Pittsburgh, PA coal truck accident attorney who has experience handling these types of claims. Chaffin Luhana, LLP represents individuals in the Ohio Valley area in West Virginia, Western Pennsylvania and Eastern Ohio in accidents involving coal trucks and other vehicles related to the coal industry. To schedule a free no-obligation consultation with an attorney from our firm, contact us today.
Liability in Coal Truck Accidents
There are strict laws governing the operation of coal trucks and when a driver or company fails to follow these rules, they can be held accountable.
Multiple parties can share responsibility in coal truck accidents, including:
- The driver
- The owner of the coal truck
- The trucking company
- The coal company
- The maintenance company
- Coal truck parts and systems manufacturers
- The government
A prompt and thorough investigation is crucial to determine what happened and who is responsible. For instance, there are strict rules that govern how much coal a truck can carry, how long the driver can be behind the wheel without taking a break and the type of safety equipment that must be used.
The driver, the trucking company and/or the company that owns the cargo may be found liable if an accident is caused by, among other things:
- An overloaded truck
- An improperly loaded truck
- A truck that lacks the correct safety equipment
- Truck driver fatigue (in these cases, both the truck driver and his employer may be held liable if the employer pushed the driver to meet unreasonable deadlines)
Overloaded trucks are the most common causes of coal truck accidents. If a driver loses control of a 200,000 pound truck, the results can be disastrous for both the driver and for other drivers and passengers on the road.
Get Help from an Ohio Valley Injury Lawyer
Chaffin Luhana, LLP Pittsburgh truck accident lawyers can help you if you’ve been involved in a coal truck accident or another accident involving the coal industry. We understand the laws governing these types of cases and can ensure that your case receives a proper investigation. If you would like to speak with a coal truck accident attorney in the Ohio Valley area, contact our law office today. For the best results, contact us as soon as possible.