Commercial vehicle accidents often lead to much higher medical bills than a regular car crash. If you recently got into one, you may feel lost trying to figure out who is responsible for your costs. Fortunately, you have several ways to recover the compensation you deserve and knowing what they are can help put your mind at ease.
Your first line of financial protection
Knowing where your money can come from is the first step to getting back on your feet. You have up to four potential sources available to you:
- Personal Injury Protection (PIP): PIP covers your out-of-pocket medical costs and lost income immediately, without waiting to determine who caused the accident.
- Commercial vehicle liability insurance: If your bills go beyond your PIP limits, you can seek compensation from the commercial vehicle’s liability insurance policy.
- At-fault parties: Commercial vehicle accidents often involve multiple responsible parties, which can open the door to higher compensation than a typical car accident.
- Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM): If the commercial truck’s insurance falls short, your own UIM coverage may help pick up the rest.
Each of these works differently, but together they give you a solid safety net. As you will see in the next section, knowing who is responsible for the crash is just as important as knowing where the money comes from.
More than one party may share responsibility
Unlike a regular car accident, commercial vehicle crashes can involve several parties who share legal responsibility. This is good news for you, because more responsible parties can mean more funds to help cover your losses. Here are the parties you may be able to hold accountable:
- The driver: The driver is directly liable for careless actions behind the wheel, such as fatigue, distraction or speeding.
- The trucking or commercial company: An employer is usually legally responsible for what its driver does while on the job.
- The cargo loading company: If the loading crew failed to secure cargo properly and it contributed to the crash, you may hold that company responsible.
- The maintenance company: If poor vehicle upkeep, such as brake failure, led to the accident, you may hold the maintenance provider accountable.
- The vehicle manufacturer: If a faulty part caused or worsened the crash, the manufacturer may bear responsibility.
- Hence, finding every responsible party gives your case a better chance at full compensation.
Don’t leave your compensation on the table
Trucking companies usually carry massive insurance policies, but those policies exist to protect the company, not you. Therefore, knowing your rights and understanding who to hold responsible are the most important steps you can take after a crash. The money you need for your medical bills, lost wages and recovery may be closer than you think. You simply need to know where to look and how to ask for what is fair.