If you have been injured in a serious truck accident, you may have many questions concerning what to do next. When you suffer serious injuries, especially if you are looking at mounting medical bills, you may naturally wonder if there is some way to hold the driver of the truck responsible.
If the driver of the truck is responsible for the accident, you may or may not be able to sue them. This is mainly dependent on if the truck driver is considered an employee of the company or an independent contractor.
Trucks drivers who are independent contractors may contract with a company one time, sometimes or every week. Even if they contract weekly, they are not full-time employees of the company. Your only course of action may be to sue that driver directly.
However, if the truck driver is considered an employee when driving for a trucking or shipping company, that driver likely only drives for that one company. If a driver is considered an employee, you may be able to sue the company for the accident. An employer may be held liable if the accident occurred while the driver was completing job-related duties when the accident occurred. You may be able to sue the company not only for injury costs and medical bills, but car repairs and lost wages as well.
If you have been seriously injured in an accident with a truck, it is crucial to discuss your situation with an experienced Portland truck accident injury attorney. We can help you decide your next steps. Call today for your free, initial consultation.
