The roads have become safer over recent years as stricter rulings, stronger legal reinforcement, and better construction of vehicles has been regulated by the law. However, this does not mean that the roads are perfectly safe from danger. Even though there may now be a lot of advancements in technology, and overall safer road construction, there still is the high chance of human error. All drivers need to be extremely careful when driving, but truck drivers need to take more precaution because of how much is at stake if they lose control of their vehicle.
If a truck driver acts negligently, they will face serious consequences from the law, and they may risk losing their commercial driving privileges indefinitely depending on their specific case. Calling an attorney who is experienced in dealing with truck accident cases is one of the first moves a person should make after getting into a truck related accident.
A truck driver can be held accountable for negligence in any of the following scenarios:
Any truck driver who is negligent can be held accountable in court for the damages they cause. The damages associated with truck accidents are often a lot more intense then the damages involved in a regular car accident which increases the urgency to appropriately determine liability.
Even if the truck driver was negligent, there are often other parties who can be pulled into the lawsuit for some fault of their own. For instance, if the driver was driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, they can be held liable and the trucking carrier can also be held liable for not screening their employees appropriately before hiring them. A lawyer can assist a person in launching an investigation to discover all possible parties who may be held accountable for the accident.
As per the Statute of Limitations, a person has exactly two years to file their truck accident claim and the clock starts ticking as soon as the accident occurs. If a person fails to file their claim within this period, then they mostly forfeit their right to file a claim.
Anyone who has been injured in a truck accident yet missed their deadline and wants to know if they are somehow still eligible for filing a claim should get in touch with a truck accident lawyer to explore their options. There are often exceptions to the rules and if a person had a valid reason for being unable to file their claim in two years they may be pardoned, and their case may end up going through. If a person is still allowed to go forward with their case, they can demand compensation for everything from their diminished earning capacity to their medical bills and home care expenses.