Large commercial trucks are an important part of the economy, however, these trucks also come with substantial risks. When a semi-truck that weighs up to 80,000 pounds crashes into a small passenger vehicle, the occupants of the passenger vehicle commonly suffer catastrophic injuries and many victims do not survive their injuries. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),1 nearly 4,000 individuals died in commercial truck accidents in a single year in the U.S.
Following the loss of a spouse, parent, or child, surviving family members often feel shocked and helpless. They will understandably want justice for their loved one who was killed though may not know how to go about obtaining it or what their rights under Michigan law may be. Surviving family members should not hesitate to call a committed wrongful death lawyer who understands the complex nature of fatal truck accident cases.
Who may be held liable for a wrongful death?
Surviving close family members have the right to compensation from any party or parties that caused the wrongful death of their loved one. This recovery can help cover funeral and burial costs, but also may provide compensation for loss of companionship, love, support, and other non-economic losses. Many different parties may be liable in a truck accident case, including the following:
- Truck driver – The primary cause for serious truck accidents is driver error. Truck drivers can be found negligent if they engage in distracted driving, fatigued driving, impaired driving, or driving with a serious health condition. They also are negligent if they violate any traffic laws or regulations set out by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).2
- Trucking company – A trucking company may also be held liable for a wrongful death if they fail to maintain their trucks, if they engage in negligent hiring, if they fail to discipline or terminate dangerous drivers, if they encourage dangerous behaviors from drivers, and more.
- Truck manufacturer – There are many different parts of a large commercial truck that may malfunction and cause a collision. In such situations, the wrongful death claim will have to be filed against the manufacturer of the truck.
The above are only some examples of parties that can be held responsible for a wrongful death in a truck accident.
Find out how an experienced Michigan truck accident lawyer can assist you
If your loved one died as a result of truck accident injuries, you should not delay in contacting the experienced accident attorneys at Michigan Injury Lawyers to discuss your legal options and rights. If a truck accident and the resulting death occurred due to a negligent or reckless act on the part of the truck driver, trucking company, or another party, your family may be entitled to substantial compensation for your loss. While money will not cure your emotional pain, it can make carrying on easier as you will have fewer financial concerns and may have a greater sense of justice for your loved one. Call us today at 313-438-4357 for a free consultation today.
References:
1http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812150.pdf
2https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations