Proving negligence in your truck collision case starts before you file a personal injury claim. The trucking industry pays millions in settlements each year from the thousands of commercial vehicle crashes resulting in injuries and fatalities worldwide. If you were injured in a truck collision, as a survivor, you can secure your legal options by:
- Contacting the police to file a detailed accident report
- Taking photographic evidence of the accident scene that includes damages and injuries
- Gathering contact information from witnesses or bystanders
- Going to the doctor immediately for a medical examination
- Speaking with a commercial truck wreck attorney to weigh your legal options
If you cannot perform the aforementioned actions, a board-certified personal injury attorney can help you recover the compensation you deserve. Learn how fault is established and what the legal team can do to help you prove negligence to win a settlement.
Parties that Can Be at Fault for a Truck Accident: Explained
Commercial vehicles are so large that when an accident occurs, there is a heightened chance of multiple vehicles being involved. In case you didn’t know:
- Multiple parties can be responsible for your truck wreck
- Depending on the rules of your state, you may collect compensation if you also contributed to the crash
- It may be possible to file several lawsuits for each party that is at fault for your damages and injuries
All of these components can complicate and prolong your personal injury claim. However, it can also make it easier for you to recover the full amount of your losses and will guarantee that the proper parties are held accountable.
A thorough investigation into all aspects of the event will be required to identify those who can be held accountable because the cause of a wreck may not always be immediately apparent. In a truck accident, the following parties may be found at fault:
- Truck driver
- Manufacturer or owner of the commercial truck
- Other motorists
- Truck company
- Shipping broker company
Proving Negligence By Party in a Truck Accident Claim
Determining fault can be complicated, but proving negligence in a truck accident falls on the victim. Four elements are used in presenting the burden of proof:
Obligation of Care
Also known as the duty of care, it is a commitment to be honored by people under certain conditions such as drivers on the road, to act responsibly. This includes following the laws of the road and driving safely. Truck drivers are typically held to high state and federal standards since they have to be trained in order to operate safely.
Violation of Duty
Victims must demonstrate that the other motorist or other party violated the duty of care, either intentionally or unintentionally. For instance, the trucking company would have willfully violated its obligation if it had sent a truck driver out onto the road that surpassed their driving hours for the day.
Breach Led to Causation
The plaintiff or the plaintiff’s attorney must demonstrate that the defendant was aware of the potential risk and yet carried out the action. You can strengthen your case to establish causation, for instance, if you can show that the trucking company has a history of forcing drivers to drive longer than 12 consecutive hours or are employing inadequately trained drivers.
Damages
A personal injury claim must result in damage that can be measured. This implies that you must demonstrate that the accident caused you to suffer financially. This is simple to demonstrate using medical bills, estimates for automobile damage repairs, or previous pay stubs that demonstrate how much money you lost as a result of missing work due to your injuries.
Although proving negligence in a truck accident case may seem simple, the trucking company’s lawyers will start attempting to limit or discharge its obligation as soon as a collision occurs. A knowledgeable personal injury attorney can compile the necessary evidence to create a compelling case and defend you against the defendant’s claims of negligence.
Who Is Responsible for Paying Damages and Medical Bills After a Truck Accident?
Ultimately, if you did not contribute to the trucking accident, all losses will be handled by the at-fault driver. The payment obligation may vary in the beginning based on the following factors:
Accident Reimbursement in an At-Fault State
The driver who is assigned at-fault for an accident in an at-fault state is normally liable for the costs of the damages and injuries that resulted from the collision. In this kind of state, the at-fault driver’s insurer is often in charge of paying for the harm and losses suffered by the other driver.
In an at-fault state, if you are hurt in a truck accident, you would normally submit a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance provider to get money for your losses. To understand your rights and alternatives in this type of situation, it’s vital to speak with a trucking accident lawyer before speaking with the insurance company to avoid jeopardizing your claim.
Accident Reimbursement in a No-Fault State
In a no-fault state, regardless of who was at blame for the collision, each driver’s individual policy normally covers their own injuries and losses. This means that if a truck accident occurs in a state where there is no proof of fault, your injuries and damages will be covered by your insurance policy, and the other driver’s injuries and losses will be covered by their insurance policy.
To explore your legal alternatives in this kind of scenario, it is best to speak with an insurance expert or a commercial vehicle accident lawyer. It is crucial to keep in mind that the precise rules and regulations regulating no-fault states can differ.
How an Attorney May Help You Prove Negligence After a Truck Wreck
Commercial truck accident lawyers are invaluable in helping victims prove that negligence led to their truck accidents. The following actions process takes place to assign fault, prove negligence, and win the victim a lucrative personal injury settlement:
Investigation
This portion is usually conducted with specialists such as forensic toxicologists, investigators, or accident reconstructionists. The purpose is to locate and preserve evidence that determines the cause.
Examination of Records
An attorney can obtain EDR data from the trucking company, medical records, police reports, and truck company logs to examine if alcohol, drugs, lack of training, or an infraction occurred that may have led to the collision.
Identify Responsible Parties
From the evidence collected at the scene, witness statements, and other records, your attorney may pinpoint who the potential at-fault parties are.
Proving Carelessness
Further examination of data will also lead your truck accident lawyer to find proof of negligence. The most common forms of negligence in truck crashes are:
- Driver fatigue
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Driver error
- Improper loading by the shipping broker
- Equipment failure
- Poor fleet maintenance
Calculate Your Truck Accident Damages
Sometimes, calculating the full extent of your injuries requires the help of medical professionals and financial advisors who can estimate future treatment and costs. Your lawyer will take their advice to demand a fair settlement amount on your behalf.
An experienced lawyer can help you prove negligence after a truck wreck, help you navigate the process, and obtain fair compensation so that you can fully recover.
