| Special litigation skills are necessary when handling | | | | Although, many people think that insurance |
| personal injury accident cases involving a semi | | | | companies can be named parties in any vehicle |
| tractor-trailer and a passenger car. Much needs to be | | | | accident, in some states they cannot be sued in |
| known about the semi tractor-trailer, owner of the | | | | common everyday automobile accidents. Recovery |
| semi tractor-trailer and travel schedules. Most large | | | | against an insurance company can be had only after |
| trucking companies now have on-board computers | | | | obtaining a settlement or verdict against the party or |
| and satellite tracking devices. Obtaining all of the | | | | parties responsible. Then the insurance pays under |
| necessary information can make the difference | | | | their contract. However, the insurance company |
| between a small or large monetary recovery for | | | | insuring an interstate trucking company can be sued |
| damages to an injured party. | | | | directly along with the other parties. As a named |
| There are a unique set of laws that govern drivers | | | | defendant, the jury knows that insurance is available. |
| of semi tractor-trailers and trucking companies. The | | | | If they feel that a large verdict might hurt a small |
| lawyer handling one of these cases must have | | | | trucking company's ability to stay in business, they |
| significant knowledge of the Federal Motor Vehicle | | | | are more likely to award a large verdict if insurance |
| Regulations and understand the types of questions | | | | will cover the damages. |
| that need to be asked in order to determine if | | | | Everything about the truck driver should be checked |
| violations of these laws have occurred. | | | | out thoroughly. His past employers to his medical |
| In addition to investigating what "rules of the road" | | | | condition should be reviewed. Find out why he left his |
| the driver of a semi tractor- trailer has failed to | | | | previous employment. Determine if there is any |
| follow, experienced representation includes an | | | | medical condition that should restrict his driving ability. |
| investigation as to the training of the driver, the | | | | Before a trucker is hired it is the duty of the |
| length of time the driver has been driving, the loading | | | | company to do due diligence in checking out the |
| of the semi tractor trailer, the cargo in transit and an | | | | person before they are hired. If it is determined that |
| microscopic investigation of the drivers log. | | | | the trucking company failed to properly obtain and |
| Many times various parties can be held responsible | | | | evaluate the trucker's history, a claim of negligent |
| for damages caused by one trucker driving a | | | | hiring can be asserted. |
| semi-tractor trailer rig. The trucker and the company | | | | There is a higher standard for truck drivers because |
| he/she works for are obvious responsible parties. | | | | they must live by certain rules and regulations that |
| However, the tractor or the trailer can be owned by | | | | the average automobile driver does not have to |
| other parties who may also be held responsible. | | | | abide. A well qualified attorney will know how to find |
| In many instances, a lawsuit can also be filed directly | | | | out if those standards have been met. |
| against the trucking company's insurance company. | | | | |