There are more than 10 million semi trucks registered in the United States. That means there are a lot of semi trucks sharing the road with drivers every single day. Because of their size, semi trucks can be a danger on the road. When an accident with a semi truck occurs, it can often be severe because of the size of the semi truck.
When you’re in an accident with a semi, it can be hard to know your rights or what to do. There are a few special things to keep in mind when it comes to semi-truck accidents. Here are three things to know about semi truck accidents in Indiana:
- The driver’s employer may share liability
If the driver acted negligently in a way that caused your injuries, they’re liable to you for your damages. However, it’s important to keep in mind that the driver’s employer might also be liable. Semi-truck drivers almost always drive on behalf of someone else. That company might be the appropriate organization to bring a claim against for compensation. It’s important to name the right entity when you’re preparing a claim for compensation.
- The employer may be liable for negligent hiring or management
The driver’s employer might be liable to you because of the driver’s negligence. However, the employer may also be liable because of the way they hire or manage employees. If they hired the driver without investigating their driving record, they might face liability for hiring someone with a poor driving record. If they refused to allow drivers to take needed rest breaks, they can be liable because of the way they treated employees.
- The police report may not have all of the information
A police officer responds to the scene of the accident for several reasons. First, they want to act as a first responder and help anyone who might be hurt. They want to help you get the medical treatment that you need. They’re trained in first aid, and they can help you until someone with more advanced medical training can arrive on the scene to administer medical aid.
Police officers also respond to an accident to determine how the accident occurred. They’re looking for whether someone violated a traffic law or committed a crime like drunk driving. They also want to know if things like weather or road design contributed to the accident. They use the information they gather in order to determine whether it’s appropriate to change traffic laws or road designs.
When the police respond to an accident, they’re not necessarily thinking about helping an accident victim get the compensation that they deserve. They may not take the time to gather all of the evidence that’s available at the scene. They might take the basic information and close their case.
It’s important not to assume that the police report is a complete accounting of the accident. The police officer may not have interviewed the witnesses or asked them enough questions. The officer may have reached conclusions that are incorrect. It’s important to treat the police report as a launching off point for your investigation. It shouldn’t be the only evaluation of your semi-truck accident.
Handling your case with care
When you’re in an accident that involves a semi truck, it’s important to remember that the employer may face liability for your damages. You may have to do some digging in order to learn about the company’s policies, their hiring practices and what led to the accident. If the employer or driver acted negligently in a way that caused your injuries, the employer and driver may be responsible for your losses. In addition, remember that the police report isn’t always the end of the story when it comes to getting to the bottom of a semi-truck accident.
