Can I Sue If A Truck Hit Me? | Truck Accident Attorneys
4,014 people were killed in large truck accidents in 2020. Sixty-eight percent of those who died were in passenger cars, 15% were in trucks, and the remaining 16% were either motorcyclists, pedestrians, or cyclists. Sadly, truck accidents claimed the lives of 28% more individuals in 2020 than they did in 2009. (the year it was the lowest since fatal crash data collection started in 1975). Additionally, there were 35% more truck occupants who perished in 2010 than in 2009.
You have legal rights if a truck accident caused severe, fatal, or catastrophic injuries to you or someone you care about. The right to make a claim for compensation is one of those rights. You have the right to sue for damages if you don’t obtain a complete and reasonable settlement offer. It is in your best interests to contact a knowledgeable truck accident attorney to guide you through this frequently difficult and drawn-out process.
Do I Have a Case If A Semi Truck Hit Me?
If you were hurt in a semi-truck accident, you have every right to bring a lawsuit to receive compensation for your losses. Truck accidents can result in severe injuries and expensive losses, and victims and their families should be compensated.
However, you normally need to make a claim with the at-fault parties’ insurance carrier before bringing a lawsuit. The specifics of your case will determine whether or not they give you a settlement. If you have retained a truck accident attorney, they can assist you in negotiating a just settlement with the relevant parties. Your next course of action is to launch a lawsuit in order to request a court judgement for compensation if they refuse to provide you such a settlement.
Exactly who is responsible for your truck accident?
Due to the possibility of numerous parties being at fault, truck accidents are legally complicated. Reaching a settlement agreement between all parties involved becomes much more difficult when more than one party is at fault since they frequently have a tendency to point fingers at one another. In a truck accident, the following persons may be held accountable:
- Drivers of trucks
- Transport companies
- Other merchants
- Shippers and loaders of cargo
- Makers of trucks and trucks’ parts
- Governmental agencies and their suppliers
Driving a truck
Some truck drivers engage in careless behaviour, such as speeding or operating a vehicle when tired or preoccupied. Inspecting their vehicles to verify adequate upkeep or cargo loading is another duty of truck drivers.
Carriers
The drivers and vehicles that truck companies put on the road are subject to their control, including hiring and training practises. If they don’t conduct extensive pre-employment checks, they can find up recruiting truck drivers who have a history of reckless driving. Additionally, such records can show a history of DUIs or infractions of the federal regulations governing operating a big rig.
Other Suppliers
Depending on the scale of the truck carrier’s business, there can be suppliers engaged that handle administrative tasks like hiring drivers or running background checks, or truck maintenance, repair, and dispatching services. Any aspect of fleet operations can be finished by vendors. If one of these vendors’ carelessness results in a truck accident, they could all be held accountable.
Cargo Loaders And Shippers
The originator, shipper, loader, and transporter of the goods are each accountable for adhering to all applicable federal and state laws. They risk being held accountable for any injuries they cause if they don’t comply with them.
Vehicle and component manufacturers
Defective vehicles or components can lead to tyre blowouts, issues with the steering or coupling (kingpin) systems, and braking failures. If the manufacturer or distributor is responsible for the accident’s cause, truck accident lawsuits can occasionally develop into product liability claims.
Contractors and Governmental Entities
A big rig crash may occasionally be caused by or involve other road hazards, such as soft shoulders or damaged pavement. In such cases, the local or state government body in charge of maintaining that section of highway may be held liable for any negligence. Additionally, negligent maintenance contractors employed by government organisations may be held accountable if their subpar work caused an accident or if they created a work zone that facilitated truck accidents.
Damages Caused by Truck Accidents
The injured party’s damages are what determine how much compensation is awarded in personal injury cases like those brought about by truck accidents. Damages are a monetary depiction of the losses, adjustments, and hindrances a victim, and occasionally their family, experience as a result of the irresponsible party’s acts. Damages can be both financial and nonfinancial.
Economic Damages Examples Include:
- Lost paychecks and revenue
- Damage to property
- Medical costs
- Court costs and expenses
Economic damages, often referred to as special damages, are typically supported by invoices, receipts, or other forms of value evidence, making them reasonably easy to compute.
Since there is generally no documentation of the precise value of non-economic or general losses, proving their existence might be more difficult.
Non-Economic Damages of the Following Types
- Distress and suffering
- Humiliation
- Mental suffering
- Discoloration and scarring
- Body component or bodily function loss
- Loss of group support
- The inability to enjoy life
Both economic and non-economic damages should be taken into consideration in a full and reasonable settlement offer. Working with a lawyer will help you get the most money.
What Happens If a Commercial Truck Hits Me?
If a commercial truck has caused you harm, a lawyer can assist you in seeking compensation or in bringing a lawsuit. Call us right now or use our contact form to get put in touch with a qualified lawyer in your area. An attorney will get in touch with you to discuss your case within 10 minutes of it being submitted.