Truck Accident Liability 

Finding a skilled truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD can provide isn’t always easy, but for anyone who has been injured in a trucking accident, the assistance of a competent lawyer might be essential for winning a settlement.

At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., our lawyers understand that these types of auto accident cases can be complicated. Trucking accidents may be incredibly difficult for an injured victim who is trying to get compensation for injuries. When a traffic accident is caused by a large commercial truck — and when an occupant of another passenger vehicle is seriously injured in the crash — it’s likely that the occupants of the other passenger vehicle will sustain traumatic injuries.

These injuries can potentially last a very long time. In some cases, victims may find themselves searching for a top truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD has to offer because their injuries developed into lasting — and even permanent — disabilities. Serious truck accidents can potentially lead to physical damage and psychological trauma for the drivers and passengers of other vehicles involved.

Moreover, these accident claims may require the assistance of a truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD trusts because it’s possible for the claimant to have trouble determining which party is liable. The truck driver might be responsible for the accident if he or she was negligent, but it’s possible that another party could be liable — it’s even possible for multiple parties to be held accountable.

Here is a quick look at why truck accident liability can be so complicated for injured victims who are pursuing a settlement, and an explanation of how a Wheaton MD truck accident lawyer from Cohen and Cohen, P.C. may be able to help claimants:

Determining Liability: Who Could Be Held Responsible for a Truck Accident?

The Driver

First off, it’s possible for the truck driver to be liable for causing an accident and it’s also possible for another driver in a passenger vehicle to make a mistake. When a truck driver is at fault for an accident, there are many possible reasons why he or she could be deemed negligent. Truck drivers are often on the road for long stretches of time and a driver might become fatigued. Distracted driving is another common cause of truck accidents.

A driver may also be too inexperienced behind the wheel of a large commercial truck and not know how to avoid an accident when other vehicles make sudden lane changes or drive too quickly. Trucking companies generally provide drivers with substantial training, but a company might cut a new driver’s training time short in order to save money.

The Trucking Company

An experienced truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD can provide will know that it’s possible for injured claimants, in certain cases, to make a case against the trucking company itself. Claimants might choose to pursue a settlement from the truck company rather than from the driver because the company may have an insurance policy with a higher limit, therefore making it possible to obtain a higher settlement. This could be an important factor to consider when an injured claimant has sustained traumatic injuries that require costly medical treatment.

The Company Owning The Truck

It is also possible, in the event of a serious truck accident, for the company that owns the truck to be held liable. Many trucking companies attempt to avoid liability issues by outsourcing jobs to other independent contractors and by leasing trucks from other companies. Many states have passed legislation that limits the extent to which a trucking company can pass off liability for an accident onto another company, but it’s still possible that all of these parties might attempt to “point fingers” at each other after an accident.

These three parties are often the most common parties found liable in truck accidents, but it’s possible for additional individuals or companies to be held accountable in certain cases. If a truck company outsources maintenance work to a third-party service and the cause of the accident is found to be maintenance-related, that third-party service might be responsible. If the accident occurred because of a defective part in the engine, the company (or companies) that designed, manufactured, or sold the defective part might be held liable.

With all of that in mind, it’s easy to see why trucking accidents can easily become complicated when liability is not clear. A truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD trusts may be essential for an injured victim who is unable to reach a reasonable settlement with a liable party.

How Can a Truck Accident Lawyer Wheaton MD Trusts Help Injured Victims?

Disputes over liability in a truck accident can make it very difficult for injured claimants to pursue compensation. There are a few ways that a trustworthy truck accident lawyer in Wheaton MD may be able to help:

• Determining which party (or parties) could potentially be held liable
• Organizing and obtaining necessary documentation and proof of liability, such as police reports, medical diagnoses, and witness testimonies
• Working with an insurance company to negotiate a reasonable settlement
• Preparing for a court case if a reasonable settlement cannot be reached
• Helping an injured plaintiff through the entire process of seeking compensation through a court mandated civil suit

At Cohen and Cohen, P.C., we understand that injury cases resulting from truck accidents can be very different — not only are they different from other types of auto accidents, but two trucking accidents may even present several differences. A complex trucking accident often involves several factors that can influence which party or parties are responsible; this, in turn, can impact how a client may wish to pursue compensation.

Our legal team at Cohen and Cohen, P.C. is dedicated to providing each of our clients with a truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD residents can trust. When our lawyers work with a client who has suffered a serious injury in a truck accident, it’s our job to handle all legal processes involved in an injury claim so that the accident victim can focus on healing.

For more information about how our legal team has helped injury victims win settlements after auto accidents, or to schedule a case evaluation with a truck accident lawyer Wheaton MD residents depend on, contact our Maryland office today at (301) 893-4916.