Anyone who drives in New York will likely see semitrucks as they drive. While most truckers are safe drivers, there are some instances in which crashes do occur. Anyone who is struck by a semitruck will likely need medical care. This is often costly. Some individuals might opt to pursue a claim for compensation to help cover the medical costs and other expenses they incur in the wreck.
When you seek compensation, one factor that comes into the picture is what caused the crash. This may determine what parties can be held accountable for the damages. While some people always think that truckers are to blame, driver error is only one of the possible causes.
Equipment failure or improper maintenance
Sometimes, crashes are caused by equipment failure or by conditions that are the result of improper maintenance. Depending on the circumstances, this could mean that the manufacturer, installer or maintenance technician could be held accountable for the crash instead of the trucker being the one who bears the brunt of the blame.
Improper loading or securement
The loads that semitrucks carry are often heavy. They’re sometimes bulky. In all cases, they must be properly secured, so they don’t cause the truck to tip over. They must also be secured against being able to come loose from the truck. Loads that aren’t secured properly can cause the trucker to lose control of the vehicle. It’s also possible that the load can come detached from the vehicle and become a flying projectile.
If you’re struck by a semitruck and opt to pursue a claim for compensation, remember that you only have a limited time to get this done. Working with your attorney immediately after the crash can help you get this done.