It is nearly impossible to drive anywhere in California without seeing at least one tractor-trailer. After all, the modern economy requires fast delivery of goods to consumers and businesses across the country. Still, a collision with a semi-truck is likely to leave you with substantial damages.
Regrettably, according to reporting from Policy Advice, large truck accidents have increased by 52% since 2009. Even if you have managed to avoid a collision with a tractor-trailer so far, your luck may not last forever.
The trucker’s responsibility
If you suffer life-altering injuries in a tractor-trailer accident, your first instinct may be to seek financial compensation from the truck’s driver. This makes sense, as the trucker may be legally responsible for his or her unsafe driving. Nevertheless, truck drivers may not have enough financial resources to fully cover your damages.
The trucking company’s responsibility
Nowadays, it is not uncommon for truckers to work for large trucking companies. These companies place tight controls on what truck drivers do. They also usually have considerably deeper pockets than the truckers they employ. Accordingly, it is advisable to investigate the trucking company’s involvement in the accident.
A third party’s responsibility
Even though the trucker and trucking company are probably mostly to blame for the accident, it does not hurt to look for other responsible parties. For example, a mechanic who worked on the truck may have made some error that caused the truck to crash. The same may be true for a parts supplier that sold the trucking company inferior components.
Ultimately, to ensure you receive the financial compensation you deserve for your injuries, you may need to hold many different individuals and entities legally responsible for the crash.