While commercial trucks are vital for transporting all kinds of goods across the country, they also create a considerable accident risk to other drivers on the roadways. In fact, thousands of trucking accidents happen every year, leaving victims with severe and life-altering injuries. Unlike many car accident claims, accidents involving semi-trucks may be the fault of more than one party. For this reason, victims should speak as soon as possible with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Identifying Liable Parties in Truck Accidents
After an accident, the insurance company and the trucking company will send a team to investigate the scene of the accident. However, they are not trying to find the true cause of the accident. They are looking for ways to avoid liability and, potentially, shift the blame to the other party. People often assume that the truck driver was at fault for the accident. While this is frequently true, it is also possible that other parties share some fault for the crash, such as:
- The trucking company or carrier
- A shipper or loader
- The manufacturer of the truck or its parts
- A mechanic that worked on the truck.
Determining Fault in a Truck Accident
Since the party at fault is not always at the scene of the accident, it can be challenging to determine who is liable for a semi-truck accident. That is why it is good to hire an experienced attorney who will understand the different ways of determining fault and build a solid case for you. Your attorney can obtain the black box from inside the truck, which records several types of data, such as the truck’s speed and when the driver applied the brakes. An attorney may also ask for the truck driver’s logbooks, indicating how long the driver had been on the road and how long of a break the driver took. These are essential steps when determining fault in a truck accident.
Why Liability Matters
While it may seem very complicated, determining all liable parties for your accident is a critical part of your claim. To receive compensation, you must pursue the at-fault parties. A successful personal injury claim emerging from a truck accident will prove that the defendant had a duty of care and failed to meet that duty of care. Also, your attorney must prove that you suffered damages due to their negligence.
Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients throughout Maryland and Washington, D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligent or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims of medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car and truck accidents, and have secured hundreds of millions in verdicts and settlements. Please visit our website, www.410thefirm.com, or call us at 410-843-3476, for more information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.