Proving Liability After a Semi-Truck or 18-Wheeler Accident
October 30th, 2021
It doesn’t take an auto accident expert to know that truck accidents can be incredibly dangerous. These massive machines can do a terrible amount of damage to other vehicles on the road, making it no surprise that the majority of those injured in truck accidents are the drivers and passengers of other cars.
If you’ve been injured in a semi-truck accident in Texas, getting the compensation you deserve may be difficult. Read on to learn more about how at-fault parties are held liable for truck crashes, as well as who may be liable for your accident. Learn more about your options for relief from your team of Austin car accident attorneys at Ramos James Law, PLLC.
Proving Truck Accident Liability
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident caused by someone else, then you deserve compensation for your losses. However, proving that someone else is culpable for your injuries can be complicated. In order to prove that another person is liable for your losses, you will need to follow the steps below:
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- First, you will need to prove that the at-fault party had a responsibility to act with care.
- Next, you will need to prove that the at-fault party failed to fulfill that responsibility.
- Finally, you will need to prove that the at-fault party’s failure to fulfill their responsibility directly resulted in your injuries.
In many auto accidents, following this process is relatively straightforward: all of us have a responsibility to drive carefully, and if we fail to do so, we can be held liable for any damages we cause. However, truck accidents are often far more complex due to the number of potential liable parties.
Complications in Truck Accident Cases
If you’ve been involved in an accident with a truck driver, we highly recommend seeking the advice of a knowledgeable truck accident attorney before moving forward with your claim. First of all, truck accidents often involve massive trucking companies with a lot of experience handling accident claims, putting you at a potential disadvantage.
Second of all, trucking companies aren’t the only ones who might be held partially liable. While the list below includes the parties most likely to be held liable for your claim, more parties could become involved if the accident involved multiple other vehicles.
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- You
- The truck driver
- The trucking company
- The truck manufacturer
- The trucking mechanic
- The loading and unloading crew
- The supplier
- Trucking regulators
- Any agencies involved in maintaining roadway safety
As you might assume, narrowing down the list of potential at-fault parties can take considerable research and documentation. An experienced truck accident attorney can help you determine and prove who was liable for your crash.
Protecting Your Rights to Compensation After an Accident
Auto accidents can be incredibly stressful, and that stress can make it difficult to know what to do to protect yourself and your rights.
Thankfully, there are a few simple steps that you can follow after an accident to keep yourself calm and safe:
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- Do not exit your vehicle unless it’s on fire or flooding
- Call 911 as soon as possible, or ask a bystander to call
- Take pictures of the scene and any damage
- Get the insurance and contact information of all parties involved
- Gather contact information for any potential witnesses
If you’ve been involved in a car accident, you will probably need to interact with an insurance company to get compensation. However, it’s the insurance company’s job to give you as little compensation as possible under the policy in question. Because of this, you need to be incredibly careful what you say to any insurance representatives. We recommend asking an attorney for help.
Austin Car Accident Attorneys Care
We care about keeping the residents of the Rio Grande Valley safe and informed. If you are the victim of a car or truck accident, contact car accident attorneys and truck accident attorneys at Ramos James Law.