Getting hit by a large commercial truck can cause serious damage to your vehicle or serious injury to you and your family or other passengers. If the accident is clearly the fault of the driver behind the wheel of the truck, you might want to conduct some additional research to learn what you can about this person before seeking financial restitution for the accident. Here are some of the questions a truck accident attorney can help you answer about the truck driver.
Was the Driver New to the Job and Rushed Through Training?
Some trucking companies are finding it hard to keep positions filled in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. It's possible that the driver that hit you is new to the job and might not have a ton of training hours. In some cases, you might find that the trucking company let someone out on the highway without first meeting basic safety requirements. Your lawyer can look into the driver's training records or certifications.
Was the Driver Asked to Work Long Hours or Overtime Beyond What Is Legal?
There are state and federal laws that trucking companies have to comply with and this includes laws and regulations that limit the amount of hours a driver can remain on the road within a certain time frame. If the driver was working overtime and nodded off, you might be able to use this to your advantage in court, especially if the hours worked is far beyond what is allowed by law. Your lawyer can ask for these records from the trucking company.
Did the Driver Have a History of Incidents Not Picked Up By a Background Check?
Most reputable trucking companies will do a full background investigation before bringing a new driver on board, but there are exceptions, especially if a trucking company is desperate to fill a position quickly. If the driver behind the wheel of the truck that hit you has a past with multiple safety incidents or accidents, you can use this to your advantage in court.
Your Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Investigate the Driver of the Truck and Hold the Truck Company Responsible
Investigating the driver of the truck following an accident with a commercial vehicle is a good starting point for finding the ammunition you need get a financial settlement or win the battle in court. Your lawyer will investigate the driver for you and will also know how to hold the trucking company responsible for the driver's shortcomings in order to achieve the largest payout possible.
Share27 September 2021
When I sued a product manufacturer after a disfiguring accident, I never expected to actually go to court. I assumed that the case would eventually be settled, like most personal injury cases are. To my surprise, they wouldn't budge, and we ended up having to go all the way to court. I was pretty nervous about testifying, but I had a great attorney that prepared me well, and everything went smoothly. In the end, the jury saw things my way. I realized that I probably wasn't the only person to ever experience an unexpected day in court, and that's how I got the idea to start this blog. If you're looking for tips to help you prepare or wondering what to expect when you go to court for a lawsuit, this blog contains important information for you.
