Trucking companies that transport products with the use of 18-wheelers have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. Whether they have a small fleet or hundreds of vehicles, the work their employees do often puts the workers and those around them at risk. The company may do everything right in terms of maintaining vehicles and training their employees, yet still end up dealing with a lawsuit due to unfortunate circumstances.
That’s exactly the type of situation a trucking company in another state is facing after one of its 18-wheelers got into a crash. The accident happened back in 2013 on a highway in Vermont. The weather conditions were icy and snowy, making the roads slippery. The driver of the 18-wheeler apparently lost control of the truck and it jackknifed. A van headed in the opposite direction was unable to avoid the tractor-trailer and collided with it. Two other vehicles were also involved in the accident.
At the time of the accident, the vehicles were reported as damaged but no injuries were reported. It’s also important to consider that the driver of the semi, a 45-year-old man from Utica, New York, was not charged with any crime related to the accident.
Fast forward three years and the company, as well as the driver, are facing a lawsuit from a passenger in the van that was involved in the crash. Actually the lawsuit comes from both the passenger and his wife. According to the lawsuit, the man suffered permanent and serious injuries in the crash that will continue to lead to hefty medical bills. Not only that, the lawsuit claims the man’s wife has been deprived of the man’s consortium, solace, companionship, affection, attention and service. The couple claim the driver of the semi did not use reasonable care and acted negligently.
Knowing that a trucking company’s insurance often carries very high limits, the couple may hope that the trucking company will quickly settle and pay out damages. While no company would ever be happy about causing injury to someone in an accident, it’s important to understand that a company in New York has the right to protect its interests. Every accident that involves a company vehicle does not necessarily result from negligence. This case may be a good example as there were no charges filed against the driver and the road conditions were icy.