All vehicle accidents are caused by unique or uncommon circumstances, but those involving semis, big rigs, or commercial trucks can be especially serious. This is partly because of the size of these vehicles and the overwhelming damage they can cause and personal injury that can be inflicted, but also because of the number of parties involved in the resulting injury claim.
Semi operators are required by law to carry insurance with higher limits, and additional parties such as companies or partners may also share the financial responsibility. Because of these factors, if you were injured in a semi accident where you were not at fault, you have a greater chance of reaching a settlement because there are more individuals involved in the claim. Of course, there are pros and cons of an auto injury lawsuit with multiple defendants.
When multiple defendants are involved, they may all be equally responsible to pay for damages. This may be the case if the accident was caused because there was a lack of adherence to a law, or lack of adequate training on that law for the driver. For example, if you are injured as a result of a semi driver falling asleep at the wheel, he may be responsible, as well as the company he is driving for because they failed to monitor driving logs and/or mis-scheduled the run, therefore requiring the driver to stay on the road longer that what is legally allowed.
Cases like these can get complicated quickly and may not result in a settlement, but a long and difficult trial instead. This may result when the parties involved cannot agree on settlement terms, or if they cannot agree on who is at fault.
A claim in an injury accident with multiple defendants is more likely to provide the plaintiff (you) with monetary compensation for the injuries you suffered. For the best chances of a positive outcome, you will want to work with an injury attorney who understands the complexities of accidents including multiple defendants. Hopefully you never find yourself in this situation. But if you do, we can help. Contact us today to consult with an experienced attorney in the San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Modesto, Stockton, or Sacramento areas.