With car accidents, it’s relatively easy to determine the liability. Once it is established who caused the accident, that is the person who is liable for the accident, and the victim can contact the liable person’s insurance company to obtain compensation for any injuries and other damages. With a semi accident in Terre Haute, IN, it’s not always this easy. Even if it is the semi driver who caused the accident, it might not be their fault, as there could be hidden issues that contributed to the accident.
The Driver
The driver would be liable if their own negligence caused the accident. This could be from running a red light, texting and driving, failing to check to make sure a lane is clear before merging, or anything else that might cause an accident. The driver is the most likely person to be liable for the accident.
The Employer
Drivers must follow laws about how long they can drive without a break. Employers may try to push this law or allow employees to push past it on their own. If the driver falls asleep at the wheel because they’ve gone past the legal amount of time without a break, the employer may be liable for the accident.
The Manufacturer
Trucks are built to last, but that doesn’t mean they’re exempt from manufacturing issues. If the accident is caused because of a manufacturing defect, the manufacturer of the truck may be liable. This typically only happens on new trucks and is a rare occurrence.
The Repair Shop
A specialist should be in charge of the repairs on a truck and should make sure everything is repaired properly. If a repair fails and it causes an accident, the repair shop might be held liable for the accident.
All of these can be contributing factors in a semi accident in Terre Haute, IN. It’s important for a person who has been in a semi accident to determine exactly who is liable for the accident, as they cannot collect the compensation they are owed from the wrong party. For help in these cases, the injured person can contact McGlone Law as soon as possible after the accident.
