Truck accidents can be devastating and result in serious injuries or even death. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you must understand your legal rights as a victim. Apart from understanding your legal rights, pursuing a legal case against the responsible driver for the accident will also be necessary.
A legal case can be necessary for seeking compensation for injuries and damages. In such cases, hiring a lawyer for legal representation will be ideal. Read more about hiring a lawyer by clicking on the link in this article.
A truck accident victim’s rights:
- Compensation
The first thing to understand is that truck accident cases differ from car accident cases. Trucks are commercial vehicles subject to different laws and regulations than passenger vehicles. It means that multiple parties may be liable for a truck accident, including the truck driver, the trucking company, and the truck manufacturer or its parts.
One of truck accident victims’ most critical legal rights is the right to seek compensation for their injuries and other damages. It can include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. In some cases, a victim may also be entitled to punitive damages intended to punish the liable party for their negligence.
To seek compensation, a victim must file a personal injury lawsuit against the liable parties. It can be a complex process, and having an experienced attorney on your side is vital. An attorney can help you gather evidence, including accident reports and witness statements, and can negotiate with the liable parties on your behalf.
- Fair settlement
Another important legal right of a truck accident victim is the right to a fair settlement. The liable party or insurance company should not take advantage of the victim. An attorney can help ensure a fair settlement and advise a victim on whether to accept a settlement offer or take the case to trial.
It is also essential to understand that there are time limits for filing a personal injury lawsuit. It is known as the statute of limitations. In most states, the statute of limitations for truck accident cases is two to four years from the accident date. You must speak with an attorney as soon as possible after a truck accident to ensure you complete the lawsuit filing deadline.
- Rights under federal regulations
In addition to the legal rights outlined above, truck accident victims have certain rights under federal regulations. These regulations are designed to ensure the safety of commercial truck drivers and other drivers on the road.
For example, truck drivers are subject to hours of service regulations, which limit the number of hours they can drive in a given period. The trucking company may be liable if a truck driver violates these regulations and causes an accident.
Contact an attorney
Often truck accident victims neglect to call an attorney, thinking they will have to pay a hefty amount to get legal assistance. However, we highly recommend talking to a truck accident attorney so they can guide you better with your claim and esure you get the deserving compensation for your injuries and damages.Â