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What You Need to Know About Trucking Company Legal Liability After an Accident
If you were the victim of a trucking accident, there may be more than one party at fault. In addition to the truck driver, the trucking company could also be held responsible, depending on the circumstances. Getting into an accident with a large truck can have major consequences to both your vehicle and you, including debilitating injuries or even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Virginia, you should contact a personal injury lawyer with experience handling trucking crashes. They can help you determine whether the trucking company can also be held liable for the crash and assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries under Virginia law.
When a Trucking Company Could Be Liable After an Accident
When gathering evidence for a trucking accident injury case, it may become clear that the trucking companies share part or even all liability for the crash. If so, they can also be held liable for the accident. Here are some circumstances where the trucking company may be held liable:
- Negligent hiring. If the company didn’t conduct proper background checks or hired unqualified drivers, they could be held responsible for any accidents caused by employee incompetence.
- Inadequate training. If the truck driver involved in the accident was not properly trained or supervised by the company, and that lack of training or supervision contributed to the collision, the company may be responsible.
- Negligent maintenance. Trucking companies are required to make sure their vehicles are both properly maintained and in safe operating condition. If they were negligent about maintenance, repairs, or both, and those factors contributed to the accident, the company could be held responsible.
Why Liability is So Important After a Virginia Trucking Accident
Determining fault or liability after a Virginia accident can be complicated. Virginia’s Contributory Negligence Law requires that if you want to file a personal injury suit after an accident, you must be zero percent responsible. Even if you know you were not at fault, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer experienced with Virginia trucking crashes.
Understanding the potential liability of the trucking company is important if you plan to file a personal injury lawsuit. Holding the trucking company accountable increases the likelihood of recovering full compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. It also sends a message that safety standards must be upheld and could help prevent similar accidents in the future.
How to Bring a Personal Injury Claim Against a Trucking Company
In a personal injury lawsuit arising from a truck accident, “damages” refers to the losses and expenses that affect the injured party due to the accident. The goal of seeking damages in a personal injury lawsuit is to compensate the injured party for the full extent of their losses and provide them with the financial means to move forward with their life after the accident.
Damages can include both economic and non-economic losses and may include:
- Medical expenses, including emergency room services, doctor and hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and ongoing treatment costs.
- Economic damages, in the form of lost wages or income, if the injured person cannot work due to their injuries from the trucking accident.
- Non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium (marital relations).
Bringing a personal injury claim against a trucking company requires careful navigation of Virginia law. Here’s how best to proceed:
- Contact a lawyer. Seek guidance from experienced Virginia personal injury lawyers with experience in truck accident cases. They can evaluate your case, gather evidence, and advise you on your legal options.
- Investigation. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, gathering evidence such as police reports, witness statements, and truck maintenance records to establish liability.
- Negotiation and litigation. Your lawyer will negotiate with the trucking company’s insurance provider to pursue fair compensation for your injuries. If a settlement cannot be reached, they will advocate for your rights before a judge and jury.
Recognizing when a trucking company may be liable for your injuries after a truck accident is crucial for pursuing the compensation you deserve. Seek assistance from a personal injury lawyer with experience with Virginia trucking accidents.