Truck accidents can cause catastrophic injuries and harm to victims, which is why it is essential for truck accident victims to be familiar with the legal protections available to them. Legal protections could help them with the physical, financial and emotional damages they have suffered.
Depending on the circumstances, truck drivers and trucking companies may be liable to compensate truck accident victims for the harm and damages they have suffered. Both trucking companies and truck drivers could be liable, depending on the cause of the truck accident. Victims of truck accidents could recover compensation for damages including medical expenses, lost wages and pain and suffering damages.
Truck drivers may be liable for causing a truck accident if they are driving while fatigued, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs or are driving too fast for the roadway or weather conditions, among other ways a truck driver can be negligent and cause a truck accident. A trucking company can be liable for causing a truck accident if they fail to properly or safely maintain the truck; falsify time logs that keep drivers on the road longer than is legally permissible; pressure a driver to not take required rest breaks and remain on the road too long; or fail to properly hire or train a truck driver, as well as other circumstances.
Depending on the relationship between the parties, both may be liable for the harmed suffered by victims. Truck accident victims who suffer injuries in an accident may be able to bring a personal injury claim for damages to get help with the costs and losses they have suffered. As a result, victims should be familiar with the legal protections available to them.