Who Can I Sue After a Big Rig Accident | Laredo Attorneys

Each year, approximately 500,000 accidents involving 18 wheelers occur nationwide. If you’ve been involved in an 18 wheeler wreck in Laredo, you have likely sustained injuries or financial damages—and you’re probably wondering how you will pay for everything. If you’re wondering, “Who can I sue after a big rig accident?” then our team of Laredo attorneys at Carabin Shaw is here to help. Read on to find out which parties may be held liable after a trucking accident, what qualities to look for in an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Laredo, and more.

There are many different parties who may be held legally responsible for your injuries if you were hurt by an 18 wheeler in a crash, depending on the circumstances of your accident and the results of the investigation. Examples of potentially responsible parties may include:

1. The Truck Driver

If the at-fault truck driver was an independent contractor (rather than an employee of a trucking company), or if the wreck occurred when the truck driver was not working, the driver may be sued for your injuries or damages. It’s important to note that if the driver is in fact an independent contractor, then you will be unable to sue the trucking company. Once you hire a Laredo trucking accident lawyer after your wreck, one of their first steps will be to determine whether or not the truck driver was working as a contractor.

2. The Trucking Company

If the at-fault truck driver was not an independent contractor and was an employee of a trucking company, then the trucking company is legally responsible for the truck driver’s negligence—meaning you can sue them for damages. This is because it is the trucking company’s responsibility to oversee the hiring and training of its drivers. It is also the responsibility of the trucking company to ensure that their vehicles are properly serviced and maintained on a regular basis in order to prevent accidents.

3. Truck Manufacturers

If the accident investigation determines that manufacturing defects played a role in the crash, then you may be able to sue the truck manufacturer instead of—or in addition to—the truck driver/trucking company. Your lawyer can help you determine whether or not the manufacturer should be sued alongside the trucking company based on the outcome of the investigation into your wreck.

Regardless of who you will end up suing after your accident, it is crucial to choose a lawyer who has extensive experience handling trucking wrecks in your state. If you are suing a trucking company, it is likely that they will try to minimize the value of your settlement by downplaying the seriousness of your injuries or shifting the blame of the accident onto you. What’s worse, trucking companies are multimillion-dollar corporations with massive legal teams who are experts at deflecting blame. That’s why you need a lawyer with the experience, the resources, and the skill to take on a trucking company in court.

Here at Carabin Shaw, we’ve been handling trucking accident claims for more than two decades. Our attorneys have 200 years of combined legal experience, and can help you maximize the value of your settlement so that you get the compensation you need and deserve. To schedule your free consultation with an 18 wheeler accident lawyer in Laredo, call our Laredo office today at (956) 333-3333. Don’t wait—speak with a qualified Laredo trucking accident lawyer today and find out how we can help your case.