A collision with a large truck, whether a transport truck or an eighteen-wheeler, can have devastating consequences. Usually, with the truck being thousands of pounds, it’s a miracle if anyone survives. If anyone does survive the collision, then they can be met with injuries that will last a lifetime. Of course, as with any devastating accident, one question is apparent: who is at fault? In any kind of truck accident personal injury case, the liability can extend to either the driver, the truck owner or the driver’s employer. Although each of these scenarios is likely in a truck accident, the most common one in San Francisco is that of the negligent truck driver. If you suspect that your truck accident was caused by truck driver negligence, it is helpful to know how you and a truck accident lawyer can best approach the case.
The way to prove that the truck driver was negligent at the time of the accident is not as straightforward as it would seem. Sometimes, even if the truck driver made a mistake that caused the accident, the liability can be linked to the employer. Although not in every case, if the truck driver is fatigued, it can be the cause of unreasonable deadlines that the employer has placed on its employees. On a similar note, the truck driver may have made a mistake because they were not adequately trained. In such cases, the liability of the lawsuit will rest on the employer’s shoulders.
In almost any other case, the courts will determine that the mistakes made by the truck driver are a result of their own negligence. One of the most common reasons for truck accidents is fatigue or sleep deprivation. This can be proven by any cameras either in the truck or in the nearby area. Also, witnesses can testify to any behavior shown before the accident that would suggest fatigue is the cause. Other ways that driver can be negligent is through the use of alcohol or drugs, speeding, dangerous maneuvers on the road, etc. In such cases, having a truck accident lawyer in San Francisco at your side can help you attain the evidence you need to prove the truck driver’s negligence and make getting compensated simple.
