No auto accident is good and it’s never fun to be involved in an accident while out on the road. However, commercial truck accidents can be especially devastating. Road accidents involving 18 wheelers and larger delivery and transportation vehicles can cause widespread damage and severe injury or even loss of life. This is why commercial truck accident attorney services are becoming more and more sought after. With shipping demands increasing across the country, more trucks are on the road and more drivers are being pushed to their limits. Accidents are becoming more commonplace than ever before.
Finding a skipped and experienced attorney truck accident representative is important for any driver that has been involved in an accident while driving a commercial vehicle. Dealing with car semi accident reports and even single-vehicle accidents such as rollovers can be very complicated and time-consuming. An experienced attorney or law firm can help with all the involved paperwork and details associated with this kind of accident. Don’t wait to become another one of the commercial truck accident statistics, get legal representation today by calling your local law firm.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 500,000 accidents involving a semi truck occur annually. Luckily, only a small fraction of those accidents, around 5,000, result in fatalities. Having said that, due to the size of commercial truck and trailer rigs, almost all accidents result in vehicular damage and bodily harm to drivers in both parties.
If you’re involved in a trucking accident, it may be in your best interest to secure the services of semi truck accident attorneys. However, depending on the circumstances, it may be that your employer is at fault and will be the one needing truck accident injury lawyers. If you drive a rig for a living, learn about the law to better protect yourself, just in case the worst should happen.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Car Accident Injury Claim?
The one thing you need to keep in mind, according to Nolo.com, is that you, your employer, or both of you can be brought into court by injury accident attorneys following an accident. Oftentimes, it makes more financial sense to go after the trucking company you work for. In certain circumstances, your employer isn’t liable for any damages whatsoever. In those cases, semi truck accident attorneys can be your best friends.
How to Determine Who’s Liable Following a Trucking Accident
- Were You Performing Duties for Your Employer?
If you were discharging your duty as an employee when your accident occurred, your employer may be held reliable under a concept known as “vicarious liability,” according to Nolo.com. For instance, if you are delivering a trailer full of retail goods for your employer and you run into another vehicle, your employer will likely be found liable as you were acting as their agent at the time.
- Did Your Employer Provide You with Adequate Safety Knowledge?
As written on AllLaw.com, employers are commonly found liable following an accident due to negligent supervision. Say, for example, you fall asleep at the wheel after driving for too long. If your employer neglected to inform you about federal safety regulations requiring that you rest for a certain amount of time each day before getting back on the road, that may be a case of negligent supervision. Further, if you lack the necessary know-how to safely operate a commercial trucking rig, and your employers never took the steps to ensure you had this essential capability, they may likewise be held responsible under negligent supervision.
Keep in mind, these are just the very basics when it comes to traffic and injury laws. If you want to get a more in-depth understanding and better protect yourself, contact experienced semi truck accident attorneys. With their knowledge and experience, they can answer any questions you might have. Visit here for more information: St. louis truck accident attorney
