A truck accident can leave you with significant expenses. But if the accident wasn’t your fault, you could recover compensation for your losses under California law. However, the trucking industry is more complex than many people think. Several parties could be to blame for the crash, not just the truck driver.
It takes an experienced attorney to know who you can hold liable. At the Law Offices of Pius Joseph, we are prepared to investigate the accident, determine every responsible party, and demand they compensate you accordingly. Contact us today for a free consultation.
Determining Liability in a California Truck Accident
According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), there were approximately 79,000 truck accidents with injuries in one recent year. Crashes happen for a wide range of reasons, such as:
- Truck driver negligence
- Poor hiring practices
- Lack of vehicle maintenance and inspection
- Defective auto parts
- Poorly maintained or designed roads
- Bad weather
After a crash, a truck accident lawyer can investigate what went wrong and who should be held responsible for your injuries. Liability might rest with a single party or may be shared by several depending on the facts of the case.
Parties That May Be Held Liable for a Truck Accident
Commercial truck accidents are different from collisions involving personal motor vehicles. The truck may be owned by a trucking company and leased by the driver that caused the accident. The trucking company may be the driver’s employer, or it could contract the driver’s services. Or, a governmental entity or municipality could own the truck. All of these factors — and more — can affect who you can seek compensation from and the deadlines to file a claim.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Cargo loading company
- Mechanics and vehicle repair shops
- Auto parts designers and manufacturers
- Government agencies
- Other drivers
Determining what parties may be liable for a truck accident is complex, but it’s a crucial part of getting compensation. Accidents involving multiple parties often mean dealing with several insurance companies and insurance policies simultaneously. Most of the time, disputes arise over who shares the most blame. An experienced attorney from the Law Offices of Pius Joseph can protect your interests.
Proving Negligence in a Trucking Accident Claim
To secure compensation, you must prove another party was negligent in a way that caused the accident. To prove negligence, your truck accident attorney will gather evidence to prove the other party’s fault, such as:
- Your medical records
- Photos and videos of the accident scene
- Police reports
- Post-accident mechanic reports
- Expert reconstruction of the incident
- The truck’s “black box” data
- Employment or contracting records
- Bills of lading and cargo manifests
Using this evidence, a truck accident lawyer can build a strong case for why you deserve maximum compensation for your injuries.
Gathering Evidence to Determine Liability After a Truck Accident
Unlike other motor vehicle accidents, much of the evidence used to build a truck accident case remains in the hands of the trucking company. That’s why it’s crucial to work with an experienced attorney who can demand driver training records and vehicle maintenance histories from the trucking company, interview witnesses, and thoroughly evaluate all parties who may be responsible for the accident. Some crucial evidence, like cell phone records, are not readily available to private citizens.
Need a nearby truck accident attorney? Visit our offices today!
A Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help Build Your Case
Hurt in a Pasadena truck accident? You need a proven truck accident attorney with extensive experience dealing with truck drivers and the companies they work for. At the Law Office of Pius Joseph, we tirelessly advocate for truck accident victims and their families, demanding maximum compensation for the harm they suffered. Contact our law firm today for a free case review.
