Can I Sue If I Was Injured in a Trucking Accident?
Yes, it is typically possible to file a personal injury lawsuit against those responsible for an accident involving a tractor trailer. To determine who the responsible party is, the cause of the accident must first be identified.
Common Causes of Trucking Accidents in Wyoming
The following are the top causes of tractor trailer accidents:
- Distracted Driving: It’s easy to become distracted while driving, especially when a driver is stuck behind the wheel for hours. Accidents have been caused by drivers eating, drinking, and even reading.
- Sleep Deprived Drivers: It’s never a good idea to drive when exhausted. A shocking number of accidents are caused each year by drivers who fell asleep behind the wheel.
- Cell Phone Usage: There’s a reason why Wyoming has a no text and drive law. When a driver looks down to write a text message, they take their eyes off the road and are unable to see what is going on in front of them.
- Poor Truck Maintenance: Semi trucks put on a lot of mileage. The wear and tear from this mileage needs to be monitored so that parts, like brakes, don’t fail.
- Defective Truck Parts: Sometimes drivers and trucking companies can take all of the necessary steps to keep others safe, but unknown to them, defective parts were used to manufacture the vehicle.
Who Can Be Named as a Defendant in Semi-Truck Accident Lawsuits?
Typically, truck accident lawsuits are filed against:
- Drivers
- Trucking Companies
- Automobile Manufacturers
Why Should I Consider Hiring an Attorney?
It’s easy to believe that the auto insurance companies of the drivers involved will pay for the losses sustained by the victims. However, every insurance policy has limits and when serious injuries occur, it doesn’t take long for those limits to be reached. An experienced lawyer knows how to determine the scope and amount of insurance coverage.
Semi-Truck Accident Injuries
Serious injuries that commonly occur include:
- Broken Bones
- Burns
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Neck Injuries
- Amputations
- Injuries To Internal Organs
Here’s one example of how much the required medical care for truck accident victims can cost. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the high-end cost for a traumatic brain injury is $401,808 per year - and that only takes in-hospital expenses into consideration. Patients with a TBI often require ongoing care for the rest of their lives.
Personal Injury Lawsuits Can Provide Compensation
The victims of truck accidents can seek compensation by filing a personal injury lawsuit. This lawsuit could provide full compensation for past and expected future medical bills, lost wages, physical pain and suffering, and even emotional trauma.
The total amount recoverable changes from case to case and is based on the actual losses sustained by a plaintiff.
Contact the Injury Law Firm®/The Law Offices of R. Michael Shickich
Located in Casper, WY, the legal team at the Injury Law Firm®/The Law Offices of R. Michael Shickich can help you fight for justice and compensation after an accident involving a semi. Cases are taken on a contingency fee basis, which means that you pay no attorney fees if we don’t win your case.
We offer free initial consultations - contact our office at (307) 266-5297.