WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW IF YOU ARE INVOLVED IN A TRUCK ACCIDENT

Government research shows that truck accidents are responsible for 11 percent of fatal crashes in the U.S.  The damage large trucks do is not surprising, considering their size and weight.

For years, trucking companies attempted to steer clear of liability for truck accidents by leasing the equipment they use and hiring drivers who are independent contractors instead of employees.  Recognizing this, the federal government enacted legislation that attaches liability to the owner of the trucking permit instead of the vehicle or driver.

The law requires that a certified examiner inspect any commercial vehicle that has been involved in an accident before it leaves the scene of the accident.  Your personal injury attorney may be able to obtain the inspector’s report from the appropriate government agency, since it is not part of the official police report.

Important information about a truck accident may also be obtained through downloading data from the truck’s “black box”, which records all the operational data for the truck, including how fast it was going, how long it has been on the road, and more.

Getting just compensation for injuries suffered in a truck accident can be difficult since there can be a number of different players involved.  If you are involved in an accident with a commercial truck, you should seek advice from an experienced personal injury attorney.