Many of us are glad to see semi trucks on the highway. Most of the time, truck drivers are well-trained, safe and careful. They are being paid to haul their cargo, and the reputation of the company and the driver itself rests on their shoulders.
Unfortunately, accidents do happen as a result of truck drivers’ negligence, and the cost of such an accident to you and your family can far outweigh the potential value of whatever is in that tractor trailer. These trucks are significantly larger than the average personal vehicle. As a result, it’s much more likely that the occupants of your vehicle will be seriously injured or worse if involved in a crash with a large truck.
Suddenly, you’re forced to worry about issues like hospital and doctor’s bills, rehabilitation and lost wages. Plus, a major trucking company will most likely have a legal team looking for loopholes to avoid legal liability.
It may seem hopeless at first, but rest assured, there are lawyers available to help you win compensation for injuries and lost wages resulting from a truck accident.
Could a Company Be At Fault For Your Accident?
Like in any automobile accident, they could be held liable if its driver was careless in operating his or her vehicle. The company itself could also be at fault if its mechanics were careless in routine maintenance of the truck, perhaps resulting in failures of the truck’s brakes, engine or steering system.
If the truck was sent out on the road despite employee knowledge that the vehicle had mechanical or other safety issues, the company could be at fault in an accident.
As a moving company, they could also be liable for injuries sustained by the careless handling of cargo being moved to and from the truck from the customer’s home or facility. In addition, the company could face injury claims if it fails to make sure all items on the truck are secure. An object flying at a moving vehicle can cause just as much damage as a collision, especially if it hits the windshield.
In the legal world, negligence is the grounds for many claims, including attempts to find someone at fault for injuries sustained in an accident. If you can prove negligence, you could be compensated for your injuries.
Preparing Your Personal Injury Claim
Here are a few key steps you can take if you feel you have a personal injury claim involving Sirva or any trucking company.
- First, take detailed notes as soon as possible after the accident. Record everything you and other witnesses can recall about the vehicles involved, the time of day and the weather and road conditions
- Provide as many details as possible about all injuries, even minor injuries and aches and pains that occur after the accident
- Collect information on all hospital and doctor visits, medical bills and lost work time and wages
- Take photographs of the accident scene, as well as pictures of the road and/or intersection in which the accident occurred. You should also take pictures of any damage to all vehicles involved and damaged property in the area of the accident
If you feel you do have a personal injury claim against a trucking company, do not hesitate to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be the most important weapon you can have in your fight to get the payment to which you are entitled.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Sirva, Inc, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
