What Should I do if I Was in an Auto Accident with a Commercial Truck?
Getting into a car accident isn’t something we ever want to be faced with. Unfortunately, certain circumstances arise that lead to an accident and filing a car accident claim can become quite complex, especially if a commercial truck was the cause of the crash. Luckily, car accident lawyers in Wyoming are here to share with you some information regarding car accidents involving commercial trucks and how the process differs from how you would file an auto accident claim with another automobile.
Knowing whether the driver is an independent contractor or an employee of the company can make a difference in the lawsuit process.
The first thing you want to take into account is whether the truck driver is an independent contractor or a direct employee of a company. Often times, when a commercial truck driver is hired with a company directly, that employer is liable for covering the costs associated with any accidents that arise. Therefore, let’s determine what steps need to be taken when considering both types of scenarios.
- The employee works directly for the trucking company. While many accidents bring upon pain and suffering, the trucker may not have intentionally meant to cause the crash. Therefore, once you hire a car accident attorney in Wyoming to assist with your case, they will aid the process of deciding whether you should sue the trucker, the company, or both. There are many truck laws and regulations that are active and do play a role when it comes to an accident involving a commercial truck. But, if the employee was on the clock and taking part in work-related duties, it is likely the company itself will receive the car accident lawsuit.
- The driver is an independent contractor. Car crash legal representatives local to you define an independent contractor as someone who is employed by a company, however, they have agreed to their own terms and conditions set forth in their contracts. Technically, an independent contractor is just that, independent, which means they work for themselves even when they acquire jobs through various companies. So, if your auto accident that transpired involved a commercial truck driver that is identified as an independent contractor, you are more than likely going to file your lawsuit against them, not the employer.
Once your car accident lawyer determines who is liable for the accident, you can proceed on with the lawsuit process.
There are instances though where exceptions are made, and depending on the agreement between the contractor and the employer, this is still a chance that the company who hired the driver could still be held accountable to cover the costs of the damages you incurred as a result of the truck drivers negligence.
Now, once you and your car crash lawyer in Wyoming have determined who you are going to sue, it is important you get the necessary paperwork filed and submitted so you can be well on your way to obtaining the compensation necessary to cover any costs accrued as a result of the accident, and even to help supply you with the funds necessary as you may have been unable to work.
