A truck accident can turn life upside down in a few seconds. One moment life feels normal, and the very next, a victim is dealing with serious injuries, long medical treatment and heavy financial burdens.
In Kentucky, truck accident cases can be more complicated than standard car accident claims because multiple parties may share responsibility for the crash.
Who may be liable after a serious truck accident?
A serious truck accident can lead victims to deal with medical bills, lost income and financial burdens. While Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits can help in covering initial medical expenses, those benefits are not sufficient for serious injuries. In many cases, victims may need to pursue compensation claims.
In Kentucky, the party responsible for the accident may be financially liable for paying the compensation. There are many cases where the liability goes beyond the truck driver and include the trucking company, a cargo loading company, a servicing company or even the manufacturer of defective truck equipment. As many parties may share liability, determining the responsibility often requires a thorough investigation.
Evidence that can help determine liability in a truck accident claim
Evidence to build a strong truck accident claim may include:
- Driver logs: These records can show whether the driver followed federal driving limits or spent too many hours behind the wheel without proper rest.
- Electronic Logging Device (ELD): ELDs track driving activity and may reveal any rule violations contributing to the accident.
- Truck maintenance records: Maintenance records may help to check if the truck received proper servicing.
- Medical records: The truck driver’s medical records may reveal that they were in poor health or hiding a medical condition. If the trucking company knew about and ignored this information, they may also be liable for your injuries.
- Black box data: A commercial truck may have a black box that records information from the moments leading up to the crash.
- Witness statements: People who witnessed the accident may provide more details about how it occurred.
- Photos and video footage: Images from the scene, dashcams or traffic cameras can provide visual evidence.
Road to recovery
Serious truck accidents can create unexpected physical, emotional, legal and financial challenges. Concerns about fault and financial recovery often continue long after the crash. Determining who may be responsible and receiving counsel from an attorney can help bring clarity.
