Unlike personal vehicles, the buck does not necessarily stop with the trucker in case of a trucking accident. There may be more than one party responsible for the injuries or damage to property you may suffer from such an accident, which makes truck crashes different from ordinary car crashes. If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, here is what you need to know.
Various federal and state laws regulate the trucking industry because of the risk of catastrophic injuries involving trucks. Therefore, truck drivers and trucking companies are supposed to observe these regulations, failure to which they could be held liable in case of a crash.
Possible liable parties
If the driver was speeding, driving under the influence, or was negligent in their actions, they may have to carry their cross. The trucking company may also bear responsibility if it pressured its drivers to work beyond the federal hours of service, failed to carry out routine maintenance of the truck, or screen their drivers as required by law. Equally, if a defective car part was the reason the truck caused the accident, the car manufacturer may be held responsible.
What does it mean for your case?
The existence of several potentially liable parties may seem to complicate things, and rightly so. Dealing with the different parties’ representatives can be a hectic affair, but with the necessary knowledge of handling truck accidents, you will likely end up with the compensation you deserve.
Most importantly, do not rush into a settlement agreement with either party. You may end up accepting a deal that will count for nothing once you start developing complications for your injuries. Instead, take your time and proceed with caution, making informed decisions along every step of the way.
