Accidents involving trucks can range from unfortunate to life-altering. If your work truck is involved in an accident in Kentucky, can your company be held liable for the accident? That depends on a range of factors.
When would my company be liable for a truck accident?
If your company owns the truck or employs the driver of said truck, odds are your company would be the one held liable for the accident. In most accidents, the cause is usually one of two things:
- The truck broke down, causing the accident – In this case, your company would be held liable if it owned the truck. Additional charges may be sought if it’s believed the accident was because of poor maintenance.
- The driver caused the accident – If your driver is a full time or part time employee, your company would assume liability unless it can be proven that the driver was not acting within the scope of their job duties at the time of the accident.
There is of course one other reason for accidents, and that’s the other drivers. If you believe without a fraction of a doubt that the accident was not the fault of your driver or your company truck, your company might be off the hook.
What happens when my truck gets into an accident?
When your work truck gets into an accident, it’s usually a long line of insurance claims and testimonies from everyone involved. Usually, your insurance will handle smaller claims such as dents or minimal damage. In more serious accidents, however, the victims of the trucking accident might proceed to court and sue your company for the damages.
What happens if I’m facing insurance claims?
If you’re facing claims for a trucking accident, it’s important to pull up all of your recent documents regarding the truck and the driver. Then, you’ll want to call an insurance defense attorney who has experience with truck accidents. They’ll be able to talk out your case with you.