Who Can Be Held Accountable if I Was Injured in a Trucking Accident?
Trucking accidents are traumatic events that can incur major physical and financial loss. Obtaining the compensation you deserve will involve engaging with multiple parties, so retaining skilled representation is key. If you have been injured in a trucking accident, here’s a quick look at the various parties who could be held liable for damages:
Commercial Trucking Companies
Commercial trucking companies have long attempted to avoid liability for accidents by shifting all responsibility to individual drivers. This is no longer possible today, however. Federal laws have firmly placed liability on commercial trucking companies for the activities of their drivers. If you have suffered injuries as a result of a collision with a big rig truck, the licensed commercial trucking company will be in part responsible for the damages caused by the at-fault driver.
Truck Drivers
While commercial trucking companies are ultimately liable for damages in trucking accidents, drivers could also potentially share some measure of the responsibility. For example, a distracted or drunk driver who causes an accident will be held accountable for his actions. All drivers are required to hold a minimum amount of liability insurance, so your personal injury case will likely involve collecting from the at-fault driver’s insurance provider.
Truck Owners
In many cases, big rig trucks are owned by third parties separate from both the driver and the commercial trucking company. In these cases, the truck owner could potentially be liable for personal injury and property damages from an accident. In cases involving multiple parties, it is best to obtain the trusted counsel of a personal injury lawyer with experience handling trucking accident cases.
When the unexpected happens, you need a trusted advocate on your side to help you obtain the compensation you deserve. At Malman Law, we are dedicated to protecting the health and financial wellbeing of clients throughout the Chicago area. For a free consultation with an experienced personal injury attorney, call (312) 983-6193.
Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the firm or any individual attorney
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