- June 1, 2018
Following any type of motor vehicle accident, it’s important that you take immediate action to determine who could be liable. Any car accident can be damaging, but those involving 18-wheelers and semi-trucks are far more likely to cause serious devastation. Due to their sheer size, these vehicles have the power to hit multiple vehicles on the road, damaging surrounding buildings, crossing over medians into opposing traffic, or otherwise triggering major destruction. For this reason, it’s crucial that you take advantage of any information at your disposal to find out what caused the accident and who might be liable as a result.After a truck accident, you are likely facing costly medical bills, along with the potential for ongoing care. If you are still in need of medical treatment or are still recovering, you may not be able to work, so you will also need compensation for any lost wages while you are out of commission. Additionally, your vehicle likely sustained costly damage. In short, the cost of an accident adds up, and the sooner you identify the liable party, the sooner you can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Driver Liability
When it comes to finding someone to blame for a truck accident, the first possibility you’re likely to consider is driver liability. If the crash was caused by the truck in some way, the truck driver should be considered a potentially liable party. As the person behind the wheel, the driver has a certain level of responsibility for any problems or mistakes that occur. If the driver failed to abide by traffic laws, drove recklessly, drove while intoxicated, or failed to follow trucking regulations, they could be held liable for the resulting crash. Trucking laws prohibit drivers from driving for too long, so as to prevent overwork and drowsy driving, but if the driver ignores these rules to beat a deadline, he or she could be found responsible for the crash.
Trucking Company Liability
Even though it may seem easier to blame the driver, they may not always be the liable party. In fact, in many trucking accident cases, the trucking company is responsible for the crash in some way or another. We mentioned the trucking regulations that require drivers to take frequent breaks to avoid drowsy driving. If a company fails to honor these regulations, pushing their drivers beyond what is fair or admissible, the company could be found responsible for any errors the driver makes as a result. Likewise, if a company fails to properly load their truck, does not adequately secure the cargo, or fails to maintain the vehicle itself, they may be to blame. If a truck’s cargo becomes loose, it might spill onto the road, harming several drivers and passengers in the process. In such a situation, the trucking company is likely liable for neglecting cargo rules and regulations. Also, if the driver was improperly trained or unqualified, the company could be held responsible for any mistakes the driver made.
Manufacturer Liability
In some cases, truck accidents are not caused by driver error, but because of vehicle malfunctions. When this happens, the manufacturer of the vehicle may be found responsible for designing or producing a vehicle with a dangerous defect. If, for example, the brakes fail because of some type of system glitch, the manufacturer could be held liable for the damage caused as a result.
It’s important to remember that each accident is different, which is why it is crucial that you work with an experienced Grand Rapids truck accident attorney to get to the bottom of your case. Our Detroit personal injury attorneys can work with you to investigate the circumstances of your crash and determine who may be liable for the harm you suffered.
Contact Goodman Acker P.C. today to get discuss your case with our Detroit personal injury attorneys.