Semi-truck accidents are more dangerous than typical car accidents. Why? Because trucks carry heavy loads, run on tight delivery schedules, and take up more space on the road. Unfortunately, semi-truck accidents can be lethal or cause significant damage to the driver, goods, and other cars on the road.
Are you looking to sue for being hit by a semi-truck? There are several ways you can pursue legal action after being involved in a semi-truck accident. Whether drunk driving or manufacturer negligence, a semi-truck lawyer can help navigate the legal system for your benefit.
Learn more about when you can sue for compensation and what types of losses you can sue a driver, company, manufacturer, or government for below.
When you can sue for compensation after a semi-truck accident
You could be entitled to compensation if you have suffered a loss from a semi-truck accident. First, speak with a semi-truck lawyer to determine if you have grounds for a suit.
Some reasons you could have a case to sue for compensation after a semi-truck incident include negligence from the driver, company, manufacturer, or government.
Driver negligence
Driver negligence puts the fault of a semi-truck accident on the truck driver or another driver on the road. Some of the prominent examples of driver negligence include:
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Aggressive driving
- Falling asleep
- Loss of control
Company negligence
The trucking company is responsible for adequately training employees and ensuring that staff works legal hours.
Some ways company negligence results in a semi-truck accident include:
- Improperly loaded trucks
- Lack of vehicle maintenance
- Improper training
- Poor management
Suing the trucking company might be the better legal strategy if the company pushed the driver to exhaustion, repeatedly denied requests for personal time off, or asked a driver to ignore working hour maximums.
Manufacturer negligence
There could be a case for suing the truck manufacturer if a semi-truck accident resulted from a manufacturing defect. Some common manufacturer negligence examples include:
- Faulty brakes
- Defective underride guards
- Defective tires
Government negligence
You might have a case to sue for government negligence if the accident site was at a busy intersection with no signs or on the road with noticeable potholes.
A crucial part of a government’s role is ensuring safe driving conditions like proper signage, drivable roads, and clear road markings. If they have failed to provide these conditions, they could be sued for compensation for losses.
Types of losses from semi-truck accidents
Even a small semi-truck accident can result in bodily harm to the driver and other drivers on the road. You could spend a great deal of money on medical costs from a semi-truck accident, so you can sue for compensation for injuries like the following:
- Neck, shoulder, and back injuries
- Brain and spinal trauma
- Broken bones
- Severe burns
- Loss of limbs
- Paralysis
- Death
Alongside bodily injuries, a semi-truck accident may cause the need for home repairs, like wheelchair ramps, wider doorways, etc., which you could get compensated for.
You can also sue for compensation for property damage to your vehicle or items inside the vehicle during the accident, lost wages from the accident, and funeral expenses in the unfortunate event of a death.
Conclusion
Semi-truck accidents are serious situations requiring lawyers competent in navigating the legal and insurance systems.
There are many ways that the fault for a semi-truck accident might change from the driver, the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, and the government for poorly designed roads or not maintaining adequate road conditions. So, a semi-truck lawyer can help you choose the best strategy to compensate you appropriately.
Now that you know all about semi-truck accidents and when you can sue for compensation, you can seek legal advice from an expert semi-truck accident lawyer to get compensated for your losses as you heal from the stressful road accident.
Featured image: Josiah Farrow/Unsplash
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