If an 18-wheeler injures you, you are likely looking at significant costs. Because these vehicles are so large, it is rare that anyone they hit escapes lightly.
Hence, claiming compensation will be crucial. The problem is it’s not always as straightforward as it seems.
The truck driver is the first person to consider claiming against
The person in charge of the truck at the time of the incident may well have been in the wrong. For example, they may have moved across you without checking their mirrors, fallen asleep at the wheel, been going too fast or been distracted by their electronic devices.
Yet sometimes, the truck driver will claim they were fully alert and driving with caution, but something went wrong with the truck that they could do nothing about.
One example could be a mechanical failure that caused them to lose control. Another possibility is a problem with the load they were carrying that either sent goods into your path or shifted the balance of the truck in a way that caused them to lose control.
You might think it is the truck driver’s ultimate responsibility, as they were in charge of the vehicle at the time. Yet sometimes, you need to consider who else you can hold responsible.
One option is the company the driver was working for – only 9% of drivers own their rigs. Other options include the vehicle or parts manufacturer, the mechanic or the company that loaded the vehicle incorrectly.
If you are lying in a hospital bed, you cannot chase people for injury compensation yourself. Consider legal help to do it for you.