A personal injury claim is made by the victim of an accident to collect compensation for injuries and damages sustained from that accident. The claim is filed against the person or party who caused the accident. For example, in a commercial truck accident, the personal injury claim is typically filed against the truck driver and/or the truck company. This is the case in most truck accidents including those involving a massive delivery or transportation truck.
Commercial trucking accidents are different from crashes involving only passenger vehicles. The size of the commercial truck often results in catastrophic injuries or death for the driver and passengers of the other vehicle. The reason is that commercial trucks weigh tens of thousands of pounds and a passenger vehicle is simply crushed by the sheer weight of the truck.
A personal injury claim can help victims pay for much needed medical treatment if they are injured in a truck accident.
Determining Fault in a Truck Accident
Truck drivers drive millions of miles each day across the United States; therefore, it is likely that some of those trucks will be involved in vehicle crashes. If you are in a truck accident, you can collect compensation for your injuries if you were not at fault for the accident. In some states, if you were only partially at fault for the accident, you may still be able to receive some compensation under the comparative negligence law.
While there are many reasons why a truck might cause an accident with a passenger vehicle, some of the common reasons for commercial trucking accidents include:
- Improperly loaded cargo causing the cargo to shift during transit and the driver to lose control of the vehicle
- Inexperienced truck drivers or improperly trained drivers
- Truck driver error including fatigued driving, distracted driving, driving while impaired, and failure to obey traffic laws (i.e. speeding, improper lane change, etc.)
- Defective products or failure to perform proper maintenance causing the truck and/or trailer to be dangerous to operate on the road
Proving negligence on the part of the truck driver and/or the trucking company is essential for you to receive compensation for your damages. In most personal injury claims, you are entitled to receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, physical pain, emotional suffering, and property damage.
Have You Been Injured In A Vehicle Accident Involving A Truck?
Accident victims involved in a truck accident may need the skill and experience of a personal injury attorney. In many cases, the victim must file a personal injury lawsuit in order to force the truck company and/or its insurance provider to pay a fair and just settlement for damages. It is important to hold trucking companies responsible for accidents caused by their trucks.
You have a limited time within which you can file a personal injury lawsuit. Do not delay or you may be unable to collect the compensation you deserve for your injuries. Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation; therefore, it does not cost you anything to get the advice you need to protect your rights in a truck accident.
*Disclaimer
The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Yellow Freight System, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
