Who Can Be Held Liable In A Truck Accident?

Who Can Be Held Liable In A Truck Accident?

Commercial trucks travel the highways every day, delivering goods we need to states all over the U.S. According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, there were over 500,000 accidents involving commercial trucks in 2016 alone. One reason for these high numbers is the fact that drivers must stick to very tight schedules and often drive while fatigued. The following is an overview of personal injury law and how it may help those hurt in a commercial truck accident. If you have been hurt in a collision with a large, commercial vehicle contact a truck accident lawyer trusts to find out who can be held liable for your damages and medical expenses.

Truck Accident Injuries

The vast majority of those traveling in passenger cars suffer very serious or debilitating injuries when involved in a collision with a commercial vehicle. This is due to the large size and heavy weight of the truck. Some of the most common truck accident injuries are:

• Closed Head Injuries
• Injuries to the Spinal Cord
• Paralysis
• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Severed Limbs
• Burns
• Neck and Back Injuries
• Crush Injuries
• Broken Bones
• Internal Organ Damage

Common Truck Accident Causes

While driver fatigue is certainly one of the primary causes of truck accidents in the United States today, some others also occur such as:

• Driving While Intoxicated
• Road Rage
• Distracted Driving
• Aggressive Driving
• Speeding
• Improper Lane Changes
• Tailgating
• Driving Under the Influence of Prescription or Illegal Drugs

Who Can Be Held Liable?

There are several people that may be held liable for your injuries after a commercial truck accident. Some common examples are:

• The Trucking Company
• The Truck Driver
• The Manufacturer of the Truck or Defective Parts
• The Shipping Company

Proving Negligence

One of the most difficult aspects of personal injury cases is proving who was negligent and caused the accident. In order to be awarded a settlement, you must be able to show the truck driver, owner, or loader knew a danger existed or ignored safety protocol that lead to the accident. Because this area of personal injury law is complex, it is usually best to speak with a lawyer before moving forward.

How Can a Lawyer Help Accident Victims?

While nothing can change the severity of your injuries after the fact, a lawyer can protect your rights and help secure a financial award that may help you in the long run. After an accident, some things a lawyer can do to help you include:

• Speaking with Witnesses
• Asking For a Copy of the Police Report
• Negotiating with the Insurance Company
• Talking with Medical Experts to Prove Your Case
• Filing Court Documents Related to Your Lawsuit
• Represent You If a Trial Is Necessary

Contact a lawyer today for an examination of your case. Once your lawyer has spoken with you and obtained all of the facts, he or she will recommend how you should proceed. Hiring a lawyer to help you through this difficult time is one way to maximize your results as you recover.