Can I Sue the Trucking Company After Being Injured in a Truck Accident?
The aftermath of a truck accident can be life-changing. You may be left with serious injuries. You may have to pay expensive medical bills. Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may not be able to work. With so many complications, many are unsure what to do after a truck accident — and the legal options for seeking compensation aren’t always clear. One of the most common questions we hear from our clients is, “Can I sue the trucking company after a truck driver caused an accident?”
In this blog post, we’ll examine the law in North Carolina as it relates to liability related to truck accidents and help you determine if you can sue the trucking company after you’ve been injured in an accident.
“Can I sue a trucking company after a truck accident?”
In general, if you’re hurt in a truck accident, you can sue the trucking company for damages. In North Carolina, the law permits injured victims to file a lawsuit against a trucking company in most situations, except when the driver is classified as an “independent contractor.” Even then, some exceptions apply, and if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you should consult with an experienced truck accident lawyer.
We will review your claim and advise you on your available legal options. If you’re wondering “Can I sue the trucking company after a truck accident?”
We can help determine the best path forward for seeking compensation for your injuries.
You may be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the trucking company and our experienced NC truck accident lawyers can help.
Liability of Trucking Companies in Truck Accidents
When a truck driver causes an accident, if that driver is working on behalf of a trucking company, that company can be held liable for the accident. Both truck drivers and their employers have an obligation to ensure that they operate safely, and when their negligence results in injury, in most cases, you can sue the trucking company.
Truck companies may be liable for the potential negligence of their employees under the “vicarious liability” theory of law, and they may be liable themselves for failing to maintain their trucks or otherwise ensure vehicle safety.
In cases in which the trucking company employs another company to service its trucks, that company may also be liable for the truck accident.
REMEMBER: Even if a truck driver is considered an “independent contractor,” you may still be able to file a claim or lawsuit against the trucking company. In the aftermath of a truck accident, contact an experienced truck accident lawyer immediately to review your legal options and protect your rights.
The most important thing to remember is that if you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be able to hold the driver and/or the trucking company accountable with a lawsuit or injury claim. Other parties may potentially be liable in the accident, as well.
Parties that may be liable for a truck accident include but are not limited to:
- Truck driver
- Trucking company
- Maintenance company
- Truck manufacturer
- Local or state governments (for failing to address unsafe road conditions, for example)
- Construction companies
- Pavement marking companies
“Can I sue the trucking company after being injured in a truck accident?”
If you’re wondering, “Can I sue the trucking company after a truck accident?”, the answer is, maybe. An experienced truck accident lawyer can review your claim and advise you on your legal rights and the best path forward for seeking compensation.
Our truck accident lawyers have more than 220+ years of combined legal experience and we are proud to serve North Carolinians across the state, including those in:
- Raleigh
- Durham
- Greensboro
- Hickory
- Asheville
- Winston-Salem
- Fayetteville
- Charlotte
- Greenville
- Goldsboro
- Jacksonville
- Wilmington
- New Bern
In one recent truck accident case, we secured $9.45 million in total compensation for the surviving loved ones of a family of four who were killed in a tragic tractor-trailer crash on a busy North Carolina highway. In another case, we secured $1.8 million in compensation for a man who was seriously injured in a truck accident while on the job (see disclaimer below).
If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, you may be able to sue the trucking company and/or other potentially liable parties.
Our experienced attorneys will advise you on your legal rights and help you navigate your claim. We even have accident investigators on staff to help investigate the facts and circumstances of the truck accident and prove liability.
“Riddle & Brantley found me all the available money from the insurance companies.”
–David Howard, Riddle & Brantley client
Justice Counts for North Carolinians injured in truck accidents due to others’ negligence.
These cases can be complicated, time-consuming, and stressful, but you don’t have to go through this alone.
We are ready to listen and help however we can.
*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.