If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, then you’re probably trying to find a way to get by. The physical and emotional toll that has been taken on you is likely overwhelming, and your financial losses could be devastating. As stressful as that can be, you should take comfort knowing that you may be able to recover the full extent of your damages by pursuing a personal injury lawsuit.
Can you sue a truck company for your injuries?
The answer to this question, depending on the facts at hand, is probably “yes.” While you’ll still need to impose liability on the individual trucker who caused the accident in question, that driver’s employer can be held vicariously liable for its employee’s negligent actions. In order to succeed on a vicarious liability claim, though, you have to prove certain factors. Amongst them are that the trucker was on the clock and performing his or her job duties at the time of the accident and that the truck company exercised some sort of control over the employee.
How truck companies defend against vicarious liability claims
Truck companies have a lot of options when it comes to defending themselves against vicarious liability claims. Oftentimes they argue that the trucker who caused the accident was operating beyond the scope of his or her employment at the time of the accident, such as by running a personal errand, or that he or she was engaging in some other behavior that did not benefit the employer. In a lot of cases, truck companies also try to shove the blame back onto the victim.
Don’t be afraid to stand up to aggressive truck companies
I know that going up against a truck company after a truck accident can be frightening, but you can do this, especially with help from a skilled legal professional. Keep in mind that pursuing a claim against a truck company may be the only way that you can recover the full extent of your damages. So, consider speaking with an attorney of your choosing and diligently work to build the case that you need to best position yourself for success.
