If you have been injured in an accident involving a commercial truck, you may be wondering about your options for compensation and legal action. It is important to explore all of your options and evaluate your rights before making a decision regarding a claim or lawsuit. In general, you can typically sue the trucking company for your injuries when an employee or vehicle of theirs was responsible for the accident. To learn more and secure skilled representation, work with an experienced truck accident lawyer at Stathis & Leonardis today.
Can I Sue the Trucking Company for My Injuries?
Yes, you can sue the trucking company for your injuries after an accident, however, you will only be successful if they are genuinely liable for the damages. Trucking companies are typically responsible for the actions of their employees when they are on the job through what is known as vicarious liability.
If a truck driver acts negligently and causes your accident and injury, the parent company can generally be held liable for damages. However, there are other situations where the trucking company could be sued. Consider the following.
- The company was negligent in their hiring and hired a driver with a poor driving record or someone who is unqualified
- The company failed to provide proper training to its employees
- The company violated safety regulations like hours of service rules, maintenance, inspections, load weight limits, and more
- The company failed to identify or address an issue with the truck when it reasonably should have done so
Any time an accident occurs as a result of the trucking company being negligent or reckless in their actions, the company can be held liable for the ensuing damages.
How Can I Prove Liability?
To successfully sue the trucking company, you need to prove that the company’s or one of its employees’ negligence caused the accident and your injuries. You must show how they were negligent, how their negligence caused the accident, and a direct connection between the accident and your compensable damages.
To do this, you can collect compelling evidence, including the following:
- Truck maintenance and inspection reports
- Surveillance footage
- Dashcam footage
- Black box data from the vehicles
- Witness statements
- Police reports
- Expert testimony
It is highly recommended that you work with a legal professional when pursuing compensation from a trucking company. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to help you gather and analyze evidence to build a strong case.
What Damages Can I Recover from the Lawsuit?
When you win a lawsuit against a trucking company, you are entitled to compensation for a variety of damages, both economic and noneconomic. These damages can include the following.
- Medical expenses
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Depending on the details of your circumstances, you could be entitled to any of the above or more. To bolster your chances of winning your case, work with a skillful personal injury lawyer today.
