Who is liable in a truck accident?

All drivers have a duty to drive with care for the safety of themselves, passengers, pedestrians and other motorists. When a driver fails to meet this duty, a truck accident may occur. A vehicle collision may occur between vehicles involve a vehicle and a person. Causes for truck accidents include adverse weather conditions, wet or slick roadways, speeding, distracted driving, driving too closely, improper lane change or passing, and intoxicated or impaired driving. The at-fault driver of a truck accident is liable for the injuries and property damage that result from the accident.

In some truck accidents, both parties may have contributed to the accident. Pennsylvania’s comparative negligence law applies when more than one party to the accident was negligent. In such cases, the plaintiff may still receive compensation for the damages arising from the crash as long as his negligence is not greater than the defendant’s negligence. The amount of fault that the judge or jury assigns the plaintiff and defendant each have a percentage. The plaintiff’s total amount of damages awarded by the court is decreased by the percentage of fault they contributed to the accident. Another party with liability in a truck accident occurring in Pennsylvania is the insurance provider of the driver and owner of the vehicle if they are a different person from the driver). State law requires a motorist to carry liability insurance for bodily injury and property damage. Anyone who opted to have full tort coverage may seek general damages such as pain and suffering, mental anguish and emotional distress.

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