Who Pays In A Commercial Truck Accident?
Who foots the bill in a commercial truck accident will depend on who was responsible for the accident. Responsible parties may include the truck driver, the truck drivers’ company, or the company responsible for the truck drivers’ cargo.
It will differ based on the accident, and you may be able to recover compensation from more than one responsible party. It could help to consult with an experienced attorney if you were involved in a truck accident.
Blame and payment: Who foots the bill in a commercial truck accident?
You may be able to take action against more than one entity in a commercial truck accident case. It may come down to the truck driver. But the fault may include several groups, including those responsible for the truck’s cargo or the truck driver’s company.
For example, the company may be responsible because the company is responsible for the actions of its employees. But it will depend on what specifically happened in the accident. For example, maybe the company hired an inexperienced truck driver, or they may have set structures that encourage their drivers to engage in risky behavior.
However, in other cases, the blame may rest with the driver. For example, if the driver was drunk or taking drugs, these factors can contribute to an accident. A truck driver may ignore proper road rules, which can also increase the risk of accidents. Or a driver may be highly fatigued or become distracted while driving.
Other times, the truck accident may be related to the truck’s cargo. If the cargo falls or weighs down the truck too much, it can lead to severe damage in an accident. The blame may rest with the people who loaded the truck or the company responsible for the cargo.
Sometimes, you may seek compensation from more than one group because more than one group is responsible for the accident.
A thorough collection of evidence and determining who was at fault
A lawyer can help review the evidence in a truck accident case to help determine who was at fault. An investigation may also involve law enforcement. Those investigating will look at the contributing factors and help to establish what sort of payouts need to occur.
An investigation may include:
- Looking at the damages that happened.
- Reviewing video footage or pictures taken at the crash site.
- Interviewing witnesses who saw the truck accident take place.
These investigations may trace the blame back to a truck company, or it may reveal that someone else was at fault.
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Compensation in a commercial truck accident case
Similar to other truck accident cases, you may be able to receive compensation in several areas, including the following:
- Medical bills from your injuries from the truck accident: Medical bills could include costs for the emergency care you received, surgeries, or follow-up visits with medical personnel.
- The money you lost while you were unable to work. For example, you may need to take time off from work to recover from your injuries.
- The money you lost due to a decrease in your earning capacity.
- The pain and suffering you experienced because of the truck accident, including both physical and psychological suffering.
Sometimes, the truck company may reach out and offer a compensation amount soon after the accident. But it can be helpful to consult with an attorney to see if accepting this offer is an intelligent choice.
Should I work with a lawyer in my truck accident case?
Truck accident attorneys specialize in these cases and can be an excellent resource after your truck accident case. For example, they can advise you about accepting an offer and help you negotiate to reach a settlement that covers your expenses.
When you initially consult with a truck accident attorney, they can often estimate how much you may be able to recover in compensation. This can help you gauge if it is worthwhile to continue pursuing your claim. Lawyers can also help you keep track of the many complex components in a truck accident case, making the legal process easier for you.
