It’s a common misconception that truck drivers are the only ones who can be held liable in the event of a crash. In fact, even if a driver does something reckless or negligent – like dozing off or taking an unsafe turn, their employer (likely a trucking company) can potentially be held liable for things like not enforcing Hours of Service (HOS) regulations around how long their drivers can be behind the wheel.
Trucking companies don’t always ensure that their drivers are properly trained. Further, they don’t always enforce federal drug testing requirements either.
Myth: The larger the truck involved in the crash is, the more compensation victims can get
While a tractor-trailer can certainly do more damage than a box truck, the size of the truck doesn’t necessarily determine how serious injuries caused by a crash are. Compensation awards depend on the nature of the harm caused, not the size of the vehicles involved.
Myth: The responsible parties’ insurance will pay the victims
Most people assume that all businesses involved in trucking have plenty of insurance, so it will be easy to get a fair settlement. Federal law requires trucking companies to have minimum coverage of $750,000. In reality, you can probably count on the various insurance companies to try to push liability off on others. Oftentimes, they try to blame the driver in the smaller vehicle at issue. That’s one reason why it’s crucial to protect your rights. This may involve filing a lawsuit against the liable party(ies) in the wake of a crash.
Myth: Truck crash lawsuits are expensive for the plaintiff
While there may be some upfront costs to a lawsuit, it’s important to take the longer-term view and look at how much compensation it can yield if you have a strong case. A large settlement may be necessary to help victims who are left with permanent disabilities and other lifelong consequences. That’s another reason to get a legal review of your case to determine whether a lawsuit is the best way to proceed.
The best course of action if you or a loved one has been injured or worse in a crash with a commercial truck is to get experienced legal guidance as early as possible. This can help you quickly separate myths from reality, so that you can make informed decisions about your rights and options.
