Many drivers know what to do in case of a car accident. However, many people do not consider the actions they should take in the event of an accident with a large truck. You may wonder why these two types of accidents are different. In short, truck accidents are usually more severe and so the consequences and losses for which you may seek reimbursement may be much greater. Additionally, determining who was at fault is a lot more complicated, and so you may have the option of filing a claim against several different parties. In order to receive the settlement you deserve, you will need to file your claim against the correct party. A Fayette County trucking attorney can help you do just that.
First, many people may wonder: what exactly constitutes a commercial truck and who is allowed to drive them? A commercial truck is a truck that travels the highways, usually transporting supplies or goods. These trucks may include semis, 18-wheelers, tanker trucks, dump trucks, among other types. In order to drive such a truck, a person must hold a commercial driver’s license, which requires additional training than regular drivers.
Next, many people may ask regarding the most common reasons a truck accident happens. These include:
- Driver fatigue, inexperience, or other error
- Adverse weather conditions
- Failure of a truck part
- Improperly loaded cargo
- Intoxication
In case of a truck accident, a common question is who can be held responsible for the accident and reimbursing victims for their injuries. The possible liable parties may include the truck driver, manufacturer, cargo-loader, maintenance team, owner, or trucking company. Who you should try to hold liable completely depends on the circumstances surrounding each individual accident and sometimes takes thorough investigation.
Experienced truck accident lawyers know how to conduct investigations and determine who should be held liable. For that reason, if you are in a trucking accident, you should always contact Shane Smith Law at (980) 246-2656 as soon as possible to help you.