Semi-Truck accidents can cause serious injury to drivers and passengers on the road. Following a trucking accident, it is imperative that you contact an attorney who is experienced with this type of crash for various reasons. An Indianapolis truck accident attorney can help you with every stage of a lawsuit so that you can recover for your injuries and receive the maximum possible settlement. However, sometimes even determining who to bring a claim against in the first place is complicated because liability in a truck accident can be complex.
There are several people and/or companies that may be held liable in a trucking accident, and who you sue depends on several different circumstances. For example, was the truck driver an employee or an independent contractor? Was the truck owned by the driver or by a company? Was the truck properly maintained? Was the cargo in the truck properly loaded? Was the accident due to negligence or recklessness on the part of the driver?
There are so many questions primarily because there are several possible causes of truck accidents. These common causes include:
Once your lawyer determines the exact cause of the truck accident, she can help you decide which parties to sue. Possible liable parties often include the driver, truck owner, truck manufacturer, manufacturer of specific defective parts on the truck, 3rd party companies that perform truck maintenance, the owner or loader of the cargo, or the company who leases the truck or employs the driver.
In many cases, a trucking company may be a party against which you can file your truck accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. It is critical to recognize when this may be a possibility as trucking companies are required by law to have more extensive insurance policies and also generally have more available assets than an individual truck driver will. That being said, trucking companies also have more resources to fight against liability so it is imperative to be represented by a skilled truck accident lawyer who knows how to handle these often complicated cases.
First, the law holds businesses liable for the negligent actions of their employees that cause harm to others under a legal principle called “respondeat superior.” This principle applies when the employee was negligent in the course of performing their job duties. Therefore, if a truck driver is categorized as an employee (as opposed to an independent contractor) and is making a delivery as part of their job with the trucking company, it is likely both the driver and their employer may be parties in a claim for injuries. There are complex exceptions to this rule, however, so you need an attorney who thoroughly understands the legal issues that may be involved in your case.
In addition, a trucking company may be negligent on its own in a variety of ways. Trucking companies have a duty of care to operate in a manner that keeps others safe, which includes motorists on the road with commercial drivers. When trucking companies violate the law or otherwise breach this duty of care, they can be deemed negligent and held liable for your injuries.
Some examples of negligence on the part of trucking companies include the following:
While you may expect trucking companies to encourage safe practices by drivers, some companies attempt to increase profits by allowing or encouraging violations of law or other dangerous practices by drivers. In such situations, these companies should be held fully liable for any injuries caused to the fullest extent of the law.
As you can see, deciding who to bring a claim against can require extensive investigation and complicated questions. An Indianapolis lawyer experienced in accidents involving large trucks, delivery trucks, and semi-trucks has the knowledge and experience necessary to handle this claim for you. It is important to do this as soon as possible to help ensure all evidence is preserved. Call Merry Fountain at Fountain Law Firm, we offer free consultations and are available to take your call 24/7.