Truck accident victims enjoy legal protections it can be helpful to be familiar with. Massachusetts’ authorities recently reported that a 68-year old woman was struck and killed by a commercial truck. Following the accident, authorities were inspecting the tractor trailer that struck and killed the victim. The tractor trailer is owned by a soft drink company. The pedestrian victim was crossing the street during daylight hours when the 38-year old driver of the tractor trailer struck her; authorities report she may have been crossing against the light. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
When a victim has suffered injury in a truck accident, there may be different circumstances in which the truck driver or trucking company is liable to the victim or the victim’s family for the harm suffered. If the truck driver of trucking company are responsible for negligently maintaining the truck, or in some circumstances when defective truck parts are to blame, a variety of parties may be responsible for compensating the victim or victim’s family for the harm suffered.
It is also important for victims to be aware that in Massachusetts, provided a victim is less than 51 percent at fault for the accident, or is not the more negligent party, the victim may be able to recover damages associated with an accident such as a truck accident. The amount of damages that may be recovered is reduced by the degree of responsibility each of the parties possesses concerning the accident. Personal injury options may be available to injured victims and, likewise, wrongful death options are available to help protect families of the victims of truck accidents following the unexpected loss of a loved one.
Victims of truck accidents, and their families, are protected by the legal system when they have suffered harm in a truck accident. Understanding the different protections available, and how they may help victims and families suffering during a difficult time, can be important for truck accident victims.
Source: Boston.CBSLocal.com, “Pedestrian Struck, Killed By Coca-Cola Truck In Boston,” March 11, 2015