When you’re on the road, there is a good chance that you’re going to be around large trucks. The unfortunate reality is that a large truck crash could lead to serious injuries, disabilities and deaths because of the weight of the vehicle and its impact on a smaller passenger car or truck.
There are some complex issues to address in truck collisions. The major issue is determining the cause of the crash and deciding who is at fault. While the driver is one possibility, others could also be held liable, such as the truck driver’s employer, maintenance teams who worked on the truck, manufacturers of parts that failed or others.
Commercial drivers owe you a duty of care
Commercial drivers know that they are in charge of large loads that could cause harm in a collision. The added weight to their vehicle means that impacts will be more forceful. They could crush other vehicles with their own or the materials they carry.
At the same time, other issues, such as brake or engine failure, overloaded trailers, tire blowouts or other problems could also add to the complexities of the case and make it difficult to see whom you should hold accountable.
What should you do if you’re injured in a truck crash?
After a truck crash, you need to seek medical attention. If you can, you should gather information from the scene, such as the driver’s license plate number, witness names and other information that will help with your case.
Take care of yourself, and others will help with the legal case
When you speak with your attorney, the goal will be to help you make a claim. At that time, you may not be sure whom to make the claim against. Your attorney will be able to determine if the driver is self-employed or works for an employer who may be liable for the collision. They will also look into other parties who may have played a role in the collision, so that they can help you build the strongest case possible to get the best compensation award in court or settlement offer from an insurance company.