At the heart of any truck accident claim is the question of fault.
In simple terms, the law wants to know who caused the accident and why. But proving fault in a truck accident is rarely straightforward.
In most cases, the truck driver is the first person whose actions will be examined. If they were speeding, driving under the influence, ignoring traffic laws, or even just distracted, they could be considered negligent. Truck drivers are often employees, and if they were acting within the scope of their employment, the trucking company may also be held responsible.
In some cases, other parties may also be at fault, like the manufacturer of a faulty part, the company responsible for maintaining the truck, or even the shipper who loaded the cargo unsafely. Fault is not always black and white, and proving who caused the crash requires evidence, legal experience, and a thorough investigation, which is why victims are always advised to consult a truck accident lawyer from Adamson Ahdoot LLP as soon as possible.
And if you, the victim, are found to have contributed to the accident, say by not wearing a seatbelt or by speeding, then your compensation could be reduced under comparative negligence rules. The more fault you’re assigned, the more it affects the final outcome of your claim.
The Factors that Influence the Outcome of a Truck Accident Case
Here are some of the elements that can either make or break your case:
The severity of your injuries
The nature and extent of your injuries play a massive role in determining how much compensation you’re entitled to. Truck accidents often lead to catastrophic injuries, spinal damage, broken bones, head trauma, and internal injuries, and these can have long-term consequences on your life, health, and ability to work.
A minor injury with a short recovery time will likely result in a smaller payout than a serious injury that requires surgery, rehabilitation, or causes permanent disability.
But even more important is how well you document your injuries. Delayed treatment, missing records, or vague descriptions can seriously undermine your claim.
The strength and type of evidence you have
No matter how strong your case might feel emotionally, it’s the evidence that makes or breaks it. Evidence is what turns your version of events into a legally provable argument. And in truck accident cases, the range of useful evidence is wide.
The more relevant and credible evidence you can gather, the more leverage you have during negotiations or in court.
The trucking company’s policies and history
Many people don’t realize that a trucking company’s internal procedures, or lack thereof, can play a big role in determining liability. If the company failed to follow proper hiring practices, did not train their drivers adequately, encouraged unrealistic delivery schedules, or ignored maintenance protocols, they could be held responsible for creating conditions that led to the crash.
Some key red flags in company policies that can affect your claim include:
- Pressure to drive long hours without rest, leading to driver fatigue
- Failure to monitor or discipline drivers with poor records
- Negligent hiring, such as employing drivers with a history of DUIs or safety violations
- Lack of vehicle inspections, which can cause brakes, tires, or steering systems to fail
- Encouraging unsafe driving habits, like speeding to meet deadlines
When these kinds of factors are found, they don’t just increase the company’s liability; they often lead to higher settlement values or punitive damages in court, because they show systemic negligence. All you need is a good lawyer, and you’d be able to sue these companies for every penny they’ve got.
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