An accident involving a semi-truck can easily cause all kinds of serious injuries. This shouldn’t be a surprise since these vehicles are significantly larger and heavier than the passenger cars they share the road with. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident involving a semi-truck, you may be owed compensation. Our Westchester County truck accident attorneys can help you evaluate your legal options.
What Should I Do After a Semi-Truck Accident?
You should treat a semi-truck accident like any other car accident. If you are able to, you should:
- Get all involved vehicles pulled over somewhere safe
- Exchange insurance info with any other involved drivers
- Call the police so they can make a report
- Take pictures of the damaged vehicles and accident scene
- Talk to any witnesses and get their contact information
Then you should see a doctor right away, even if you don’t feel as if you are seriously injured or hurt at all. Delaying a trip to your doctor can make it harder to claim compensation later.
Can I Sue For Damages After a Semi-Truck Accident?
Once you have been treated for your injuries, you may think about suing for damages. If your injuries are serious and you believe that someone else was to blame for the crash, then you may have a valid case for compensation.
Cases involving a semi-truck can be tricky though. There are often multiple potentially liable parties involved. You could end up suing one or more of the following:
- The semi-truck driver
- The trucking company
- A manufacturer of a faulty part
- The owner of the cargo
- A safety inspector
- Another involved driver
This is why it can be a good idea to have a lawyer on your side in a case like this. Someone from our firm can figure out who should be held responsible and help you fight for maximum compensation.
What If My Loved One Died in an Accident With a Semi-Truck?
In cases where a loved one passes away in a semi-truck accident, a wrongful death claim can be made. These cases function much like personal injury cases, where you must show that another party was negligent and that their negligence led to harm. Close family members can make a wrongful death claim in NY, with spouses, children, and then parents getting priority.
Will My Case Go to Trial?
Many personal injury cases settle before they reach trial, but that’s not a guarantee. If your semi-truck case is complicated and it’s hard to reach a consensus on what kinds of compensation would be fair, we may have to go to trial. Other factors, like whether there are multiple defendants, can also complicate matters.
We can tell you one thing for sure though. Our law firm is ready to fight for you at the negotiating table and in court, so you’ll be in good hands no matter what transpires.
Schedule a Free Case Consultation
So if you were hurt in an accident with a semi-truck, don’t try to fight for fair compensation on your own. Schedule a consultation with Hausman & Pendzick to learn more about what our seasoned and compassionate personal injury attorneys can do for you.