It is important to know about truck accident laws in order to determine who is at fault for an accident.
A regular auto accident is scary enough, but an accident with a big commercial truck can be devastating. When you are involved in a truck accident, it may be tricky to figure out who was to blame because some truck drivers work for companies and others are their own independent contractors. Here is what you need to know about truck accident laws.
Truck Driver Conduct
There are federal and state laws that regulate the rules of the truck driving industry, which help to determine who is responsible when a truck accident occurs. Some of the laws trucks must follow when driving are:
- CDL: Any commercial vehicle driver needs to have a commercial driver’s license and they need to have the proper one for the specific vehicle they are driving.
- Rest: Since truck drivers travel for long hours at a time, there is a time regulation for when they must take a rest break in between travel. This varies depending on the state
- Weight Requirements: Depending on the type of truck, there is a maximum weight requirement for the merchandise that the truck can carry. Overloading a truck can be very dangerous. It is important to figure out what was in the truck and when it was weighed last if a truck accident occurs.
Liability
In order to win a truck accident case, you have to prove that the truck driver or their employer was liable for your injuries. Vicarious liability is a legal theory that employers are responsible for any accidents that their employees get into during business hours. You can prove liability by proving that the truck driver broke one of the truck laws that they have to follow, automatically proving negligence. You can also prove liability by proving that the company itself negligently hired a bad driver (i.e someone with a bad driving record).
Damages
Damages are any expenses that you can be compensated for as a result of your injuries. Depending on the severity of the accident and your injuries, here are some of the damages you can receive:
- Medical Expenses: This includes any fees from hospital visits, ambulance rides, doctors visits, etc
- Pain & Suffering: You can receive compensation for physical pain as well as the mental suffering you endured as a result of the truck accident
- Lost Wages: If you had to miss work because of your injuries, you can be compensated for those wages.
- Lost Earning Capacity: If the truck accident resulted in catastrophic injuries, you can receive compensate for the loss of ability to earn money in the future.
Have You Or A Loved One Suffered Injuries As A Result Of A Truck Accident? Contact The Snyder Law Group Today
The Snyder Law Group, LLC, proudly represents clients through Maryland and Washington D.C. Our experienced Baltimore attorneys understand the frustration that comes with an insurance company, medical professional, or other party that refuses to accept liability for negligence or reckless behavior. You can take heart in knowing there are talented and experienced lawyers ready to work for you. We are experienced in handling personal injury claims that result from medical malpractice or injury resulting from serious car or truck accidents and have secured hundreds of millions in verdict settlements. Give us a call at (410)-843-3476 for a free case evaluation. You can also visit our websitewww.410thefirm.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter,Google +, and LinkedIn for more information.