With an increasing amount of trucks on the road, the risk of being involved in a truck accident rises. On a daily basis, you may pass commercial trucks, delivery trucks, tow trucks, or rental vehicles. If you have injuries from a truck accident, you might wonder who could be held liable because multiple factors may contribute to the incident.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, 2,704 personal injury crashes involving commercial motor vehicles occurred in 2020, so truck accidents are relatively common. Our experienced truck accident attorneys at Hollis Law Firm are prepared to listen to your story and gather information, so you can pinpoint the at-fault party and seek financial compensation.
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Who May Be Responsible for a Kansas City Truck Accident?
In addition to preserving evidence, writing down your side of the story, and following your doctor’s orders, it’s also imperative to figure out who to hold accountable for your injuries. Multiple parties could potentially be responsible for the incident, so you should take every detail of the accident into account. Possible liable parties for a truck accident include the following:
- Truck driver: If the driver of the truck was driving recklessly, under the influence, or fatigued, they could be held liable.
- Employer of the driver: The driver’s employer who owns the truck may also be responsible if they failed to carry out proper maintenance on the vehicle or did not provide adequate training.
- Truck manufacturer: A defective part may have caused the accident. In this case, the manufacturer of that part would be held liable.
- Other drivers: Another driver may be responsible if they caused the truck to swerve or stop suddenly.
- Government agencies: If poor road infrastructure caused the accident, the local government entity responsible for the maintenance of the road could be held liable.
- Cargo loading crew: The team loading the cargo into a truck is responsible for ensuring the load does not shift in transit. They could be responsible for the accident if the cargo was loaded improperly.
Please note Missouri is a fault state meaning whoever is responsible for the accident must pay for the damages. Once the at-fault party has been identified, you can decide whether you want to file a claim with the responsible party’s insurance company or your own. Multiple parties can be at fault, and in that case, the jury would decide the percentage of fault and how much each party owes.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Truck Accident?
After identifying the at-fault party, you should also determine how much financial compensation you deserve for your losses. Every truck accident case is different, and the amount you might recover includes the following factors:
- Current and future medical bills
- Hospital bills
- Lost wages from missing work
- Future missed work
- Reduced quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
Because Missouri is a comparative negligence state, even if you are partially at fault for the accident, you may still recover losses. The judge may reduce your compensation based on your percentage of fault in the accident. Our dedicated legal team will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Speak with a Kansas City Truck Accident Lawyer at Hollis Law Firm
After sustaining injuries in a truck accident, you might find it difficult to determine who should be held liable for the damages. Our skilled attorneys are here to help you gather details and investigate your case so the appropriate at-fault party can be held accountable and give you the maximum compensation.
At Hollis Law Firm, we proudly serve the Kansas City area with award-winning legal services. No matter the complications of your truck accident, we are committed to listening to your story and alleviating some of your stress so you can focus on recovery. To schedule a free consultation, give us a call at (800) 701-3672 or fill out our contact form.
