Liability for Truck Accident Injury. Who Pays the Medical Expenses and Losses?

After an accident involving a commercial truck or tractor trailer, the expenses may begin to pile up. From medical expenses related to truck accident injury, to repair or replacement costs of an automobile, the costs of a truck accident can begin to get very large. It’s not uncommon for commercial truck accidents to end up settling for hundreds of thousands of dollars or more, because the trucks are so massive, they cause tremendous amounts of damage.

Who is Responsible to Pay?

There are many parties who may be liable for damages associated with a commercial truck accident case. Most often, the trucking company will be the party who will be sued for damages, but depending on the cause of the accident, sometimes additional parties can be held liable and made to pay the victims for damages and pain and suffering.

Loading Facility

In cases where the cause of a truck accident can be traced back to unsecured, or improperly loaded cargo, the fault and liability may be placed on the loading company or facility. Often, an improperly balanced or improperly secured load can cause a big rig truck to sway uncontrollably and cause an accident. It is the responsibility of the loading company to make sure every load is properly secured and balanced.

Owner of the Trailer

In some unique cases, the trailer owner may be held liable for the damages of a truck accident. This is an uncommon case, but sometimes the cargo itself may cause an accident.

Owner of the Truck or “Tractor”

In some cases, the truck driver will be operating as an independent contractor. Usually this means that he is liable for the damages, and his insurance company will be the one that will be made to pay compensation to the damaged party.

Talk to an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in an accident with a commercial truck, be very weary of signing anything before talking to an attorney experienced in truck accidents. The defendants insurance company will offer you an initial settlement that is far less than what your are entitled to. You can get a free consultation with an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer who will be able to give you legal advice and guidance with regards to your options for collecting a fair settlement or court award.