Depending on the nature of your commercial vehicle collision, there may be a number of parties involved in your truck accident claim. This answer may seem surprising; after all, the driver is the one responsible for operating the truck. However, the trucking company, insurer, truck manufacturer or even the company shipping the material could be held liable for your accident.
When a truck driver acts as an employee of a trucking company, the trucking company itself may share some responsibility in your accident. For example, if the company pushes the driver to meet a tight schedule, and he or she fails to get as much rest as federal guidelines require, you could receive compensation from them. If the truck driver is an independent contractor, you may need the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer to establish how much control the company had over his or her actions.
Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to have insurance in case of an accident. If the insurance company wrongfully denies your claim or offers a settlement that undervalues your accident, you could name the insurer as a defendant in your truck accident claim.
If the truck was poorly designed or defective, the company that manufactures the vehicle could be held accountable for your accident. A lawyer can work with a specialist to prove that the manufacturer knowingly produced and sold dangerous vehicles.
A business that ships hazardous materials is required to inform the truck driver and trucking company so they can take certain precautions. If the business fails to notify the appropriate parties, and the cargo caused serious injuries and/or damage, then the business can be included in a truck accident claim.
Hiring a Front Royal Injury Law Firm
Commercial vehicle accidents have the potential to cause life-altering damage. At Dulaney, Lauer & Thomas, our Front Royal personal injury lawyers have helped many clients with their truck accident claims so they could recover compensation for their collision. For a complimentary case evaluation, please call our law office at 1-888-534-5346 or complete our online contact form today.