Truck Accidents: Who Is Liable?

Semi-truck accidents can be extremely scary and often happen unexpectedly. Such large vehicles carry a lot of weight and can cause significant damage to other vehicles in a wreck.

Determining fault

With truck accidents, it can be difficult to determine liability since there can be many parties and other drivers involved. Pinpointing fault often requires hiring a qualified accident reconstructionist to determine how the wreck occurred. Additionally, finding the proper at-fault entity (or entities) when dealing with a trucking company can sometimes be tricky. So, how do you figure out who is liable and what to do in a truck accident?

What to do

When it comes to getting in an accident like this, you shouldn’t play around. Here is what you need to do:

1. Take care of yourself first: If you’ve been in an accident, you need to make sure you’re getting the right medical attention. You need to immediately seek medical assistance.
2. Notify your insurance company in writing: Most insurance policies require the insured (you) to provide notice of the claim, in writing, “as soon as practicable.” It is important to give your insurer written notice of the claim so they don’t try to deny coverage for benefits later on. An attorney can handle this for you, but you need to act quickly.
3. Talk to an attorney: There are many complex factors with truck cases (including determining liability and locating insurance coverage) that can make things difficult for someone unfamiliar with the process. Truck wreck lawyers are there to help guide you in a process that is familiar to them.
4. Check the records: Truck drivers are supposed to keep detailed records of their hours on duty, mileage, gas purchases, and vehicle maintenance. These are all details that can aid in determining liability.
5. Seek payment from all available sources: Many times, you are entitled to damages including emotional, physical, and financial loss damages. Make sure you speak to your lawyer about the different types of insurance coverages or other payment sources available to pay for your damages.
6. Consider other factors: Factors such as fatigue or equipment failure may have contributed to the cause of the wreck. Driver fatigue is a big issue in the trucking industry, so it is extremely important to thoroughly investigate this avenue when pursuing a case against a trucking company.

If you’d like to learn more about truck accidents, make sure to read our FAQs page.

Trustworthy, experienced accident lawyers

At Buzzell, Welsh & Hill, we know accident law and can help you in your accident liability case. Whether it’s a semi-truck, car, or motorcycle, we’ve got Macon and Middle Georgia covered. If you need our assistance, you can schedule a free consultation by calling us at (478) 217-2072 or by clicking here to complete our contact form.