New Castle, Pennsylvania – Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. (https://www.lgkg.com/truck-accidents/) has released a practical roadmap to help crash survivors navigate investigations, insurance communications, and litigation, reflecting the firm’s ongoing advocacy led by its Western Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers. The resource explains immediate post-crash actions, evidence preservation, and the timelines that govern claims under Pennsylvania law and applicable federal safety rules.
The guide outlines critical first steps after a collision involving a semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, emphasizing medical evaluation, police involvement, and documentation. In injury or tow-away events, police prepare an initial written crash report for PennDOT within 15 days, and if no investigation occurs, the driver must file Form AA-600 within five days. According to the firm’s Western Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers, careful recordkeeping of photographs, witness information, and incident numbers supports liability findings and later negotiations.
A dedicated section details the preservation of commercial motor vehicle evidence. Federal rules require motor carriers to retain ELD duty-status data for six months, while dash-cam or third-party surveillance video can cycle much sooner. The firm’s Western Pennsylvania truck accident lawyers highlight the importance of prompt preservation letters covering event data recorders, logbooks, dispatch notes, maintenance records, cell-phone data, and advanced telematics that may reveal fatigue, hours-of-service breaches, or neglected repairs.
The publication also addresses insurance and fault allocation. Most interstate carriers must maintain at least $750,000 in liability coverage, with higher limits for hazardous materials. Because responsibility may extend to the driver, carrier, broker, loader, maintenance provider, or component manufacturer, multiple policies may be implicated. Pennsylvania’s modified comparative negligence rule can reduce recovery by a claimant’s share of fault and bars recovery above 50 percent fault. The guide explains Pennsylvania’s choice no-fault structure under the MVFRL, including first-party medical benefits of at least $5,000 and the impact of limited tort versus full tort elections and statutory exceptions.
For case progression, the firm describes a sequence that begins with acute medical stabilization and a comprehensive demand package, followed by settlement discussions. Where offers fall short, litigation within the two-year statute of limitations allows discovery and mediation. While many matters resolve before trial, thorough trial preparation supports fair outcomes whether by settlement or verdict.
The resource further recognizes the severe harm common in large truck crashes, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, internal organ damage, fractures, burns, and psychological trauma. Team leadership includes Lawrence M. Kelly, Board Certified in Civil Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Super Lawyers honoree for 18 consecutive years and former member of the Disciplinary Board of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from 2013 to 2018, and Joseph A. George, an AV Preeminent-rated partner admitted in Pennsylvania and Ohio with recognitions from Super Lawyers from 2018 to 2024.
Media and community stakeholders can access the step-by-step guidance and contact the firm for further background on regional safety trends and litigation practices. For consultations regarding current matters, contact 724-658-8535. Based in New Castle, the firm serves clients throughout Western Pennsylvania, including Beaver Falls, Butler, Ellwood City, Cranberry Township, and surrounding communities.
About Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C.:
Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C. is a civil litigation law firm serving Western Pennsylvania from offices in and around New Castle. The firm handles personal injury matters with a focus on motor vehicle collisions, truck accidents, medical malpractice, and wrongful death, as well as related insurance disputes. Attorneys represent clients across Western Pennsylvania and parts of Eastern Ohio. For a free consultation, call 724-658-8535 or visit the firm’s website to request an appointment.
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Email: lmkelly@lgkg.com
Website: https://www.lgkg.com/
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Company Name: Luxenberg Garbett Kelly & George P.C.
Contact Person: Lauren Kelly Gielarowski
Email: Send Email
Phone: (724) 658-8535
Address:315 N Mercer St
City: New Castle
State: Pennsylvania 16101
Country: United States
Website: https://www.lgkg.com/