Truck accidents are often extreme, and there are sometimes millions of dollars in damages. If you are hurt in a truck collision, a lawyer can help you get the financial compensation you need and deserve.
There are often several parties involved in the cause of a truck accident. While truck drivers are usually at the heart of the matter, their employers and possibly others might also bear some responsibility. Truck accidents are often more dangerous than typical vehicle crashes because trucks are bigger, heavier, and harder to stop. Multiple other drivers are often affected by an accident, and you might not be the only one filing a legal claim. There might be a significant amount of money at stake, as damages in truck accidents tend to be very high. From medical bills to vehicle repairs – not to mention mental distress – your damages might be quite substantial. To prove your claims for damages, we need evidence of how the defendant was negligent during the crash.
For a private review of your case for no cost, call (844) 876-4357 and talk to our truck accident lawyers at Howe Law.
Who You Can Name in Your Albany, GA Truck Accident Case
If you were recently injured in a truck crash, you know just how big truck accidents can be. Trucks are huge, and when truckers lose control or trucks topple over, multiple other drivers and passengers near the truck might be badly hurt. While we often want to place the blame on the first person we can identify – usually the trucker – there might be numerous parties who should be investigated.
Truck Drivers
As mentioned, people often want to blame the truck driver for the accident. This is not an entirely unfair assumption, as truckers are often at the heart of truck accidents. In fact, truck driver negligence is one of the most commonly cited reasons for many truck crashes.
For example, many accidents happen because truck drivers fall asleep at the wheel. While this is not an uncommon problem for many drivers, it is particularly problematic in the trucking industry. Truck drivers frequently make long trips and must be awake for many hours at a time. Truckers are more likely to doze off and crash if they do not take adequate breaks or rests.
Truck Companies
When our truck accident attorneys sue the trucker for damages, we should include the trucker’s employer in the case. The legal rule of respondeat superior imputes liability to employers for employee negligence. If an employee is negligent and causes injuries, and their negligence happens in the course of their normal job functions, their employer may be held vicariously liable.
This rule does not apply in all cases. If the trucker was doing something not authorized by their employer or engaging in illegal activity, their employer might not be liable under a theory of repondeat superior. However, they might be liable for negligent hiring. For example, if the truck driver was drunk, and the trucking company knew the trucker had a history of DUIs when they hired them, the trucking company might be liable for negligent hiring. The trick is proving that the company knew the driver was unfit for the job when they hired them.
Other Parties
Additional parties might also bear some blame for the crash. For example, other drivers might have contributed to the accident. If a driver in another car recklessly cut off the trucker, but the trucker was speeding and unable to stop, they both might be held liable. Alternatively, if the crash happened because of faulty equipment or parts on the truck (e.g., faulty brakes), you can sue the manufacturer of those faulty parts.
Remember, you may include any number of defendants in your lawsuit if we have reason to believe they all contributed to the crash. We can help you sue the trucker, their employer, other drivers, and anyone else we believe should be included. This is more common than people realize, as large truck accidents are often the result of numerous instances of negligence coming together.
Why Truck Accidents Are More Dangerous Than Typical Collisions in Albany, GA
People tend to get a little nervous on the highway while driving alongside a large truck and trailer. This is for good reason, as truck accidents tend to be more severe than typical car accidents. This is also why it is important to talk to an attorney about your accident, as your damages might be extremely high.
One reason that truck accidents are so dangerous is that trucks cannot just stop when they need to. If a trucker has to slam on their brakes, there is a good chance they will be unable to stop in time to avoid a collision. Trucks are too heavy to stop on a dime. This usually means that when other drivers are hit by a truck, the truck is moving very fast, and damage and injuries will likely be severe.
Another factor that makes truck accidents so dangerous is their sheer size. When a truck crashes or topples over on the road, it is rarely an isolated incident. Trucks are long enough that several other vehicles might fit alongside them. If a truck crashes or falls over, multiple drivers and passengers could be badly hurt. Multiple vehicles are often involved in truck accidents.
Truck accidents are also often more dangerous than typical accidents because of the height of the truck. Even if the truck does not fall over, the trailer is usually high enough that other cars might be wedged under the truck. Ideally, the underride bar on the truck should prevent other vehicles from getting stuck, but the bar might malfunction.
Ask Our Albany, GA Truck Accident Attorneys for Legal Support Now
For a private review of your case for no cost, call (844) 876-4357 and talk to our truck accident lawyers at Howe Law.
