Are There Special Legal Deadlines for Truck Accident Claims?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident near Reading, PA, you’re probably overwhelmed by medical appointments, insurance calls, and financial stress. You might be wondering: Do I have more or less time to file a truck accident claim than a regular car accident? The answer can be more complicated than you think.
At HGSK Injury Lawyers, we help truck accident victims understand their rights and guide them through the process of seeking full and fair compensation. Truck accidents aren’t just “bigger car accidents”; they come with unique legal challenges, including deadlines that can sneak up on you if you’re not careful.
Standard Deadline in Pennsylvania: Two Years
In most Pennsylvania personal injury cases, including truck accidents, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. This time limit is called the statute of limitations. If you miss that window, your right to recover compensation may be permanently lost, no matter how strong your case is.
The statute of limitations applies whether your injuries happened in a collision with an 18-wheeler on I-78, a delivery truck on Penn Street, or a construction vehicle on Route 222. The two-year deadline is strict, and the courts rarely grant exceptions.
Why Truck Accident Cases May Require Faster Action
Even though the statute of limitations allows two years, you should act much sooner in a truck accident case. Here’s why:
Trucking Companies Control Critical Evidence
Truck accidents often involve black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, and GPS tracking, all of which can disappear if not preserved early. Trucking companies aren’t obligated to hold onto this evidence indefinitely, and some may destroy or overwrite it within months unless legally required to preserve it.
Your Reading truck accident attorney can send a spoliation letter to demand that this evidence be saved, but timing is key. The sooner you involve a Reading truck accident lawyer from our firm, the better your chance of preserving this critical proof.
Multiple Parties May Be Involved
Unlike a typical car crash, a truck accident may involve a:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Third-party maintenance provider
- Manufacturer (if a mechanical defect is involved)
- Cargo loader
Each of these parties could be liable, and they all have legal teams working to minimize their responsibility. Identifying who’s at fault takes time and investigation. Starting your case early gives your legal team more room to uncover the truth.
Injuries Are Often Severe
Trucks cause more damage due to their size and weight. Victims often suffer from catastrophic injuries, long-term disabilities, or wrongful death. The stakes are higher, which means insurance companies are more aggressive in defending these claims.
The earlier you contact our Reading truck accident lawyers, the sooner they can begin protecting you from lowball offers, sneaky insurance tactics, and mounting medical debt.
What If a Government Vehicle Was Involved?
If your truck accident involved a municipal or state-owned vehicle (like a PennDOT truck), different deadlines may apply. You may need to file a notice of claim within just six months. Failure to do so could bar your case before you even reach the two-year mark.
Don’t Risk Losing Your Right to Recover
Waiting too long to take action could hurt your health, your case, and your future. Even if you’re still receiving treatment or unsure about legal action, talking to an attorney early can help protect your options.
At HGSK Injury Lawyers, our job isn’t to pressure you or take credit for your injury claim; it’s to guide you. You’re the one doing the hard work of recovering; we’re here to make sure you’re not taken advantage of along the way. To learn more about how we can help you, call 267-551-8782 or contact us online today.