When negligence is behind a truck accident

Numerous New York residents suffer injuries or lose loved ones in trucking accidents every year. The resulting damages can take an extreme toll on a person physically, financially and emotionally. Anyone negatively affected by a truck accident — either through injury or death of a loved one — needs to know that if negligence contributed to the event, compensation may be sought.

Truck accidents happen all the time. How will one know if driver or employer negligence is to blame? In the end, it is all in the details. A few examples of company or truck driver negligence that can lead to collisions include:

• Lack of training or proper licensure

• Failure to abide by hours of service guidelines

• Overloading truck

• Not properly securing cargo

• Failure to properly maintain trucks

• Failure to follow safety guidelines when transporting hazardous materials

If a truck accident is believed to be the result of trucker or transportation company negligence, victims or the surviving family members of deceased victims may have legal recourse. According to state laws, they may file legal claims against all parties believed responsible in an effort to recover any economic and noneconomic damages. Such damages may include lost income, medical expenses, emotional distress, funeral expenses and loss of companionship — among a long list of others.

Pursuing compensation following a truck accident will not likely prove to be an easy task. Trucking companies will have tough legal teams on their side fighting to protect them. Victims or their surviving family members should consider having the same. With legal help, the right steps toward seeking monetary damages by pursuing claims in a New York civil court can be taken.

Source: FindLaw, “Truck Accident Law: What You Need to Know“, Accessed on May 19, 2018