This is the first post in a series of articles which will discuss dealing with Hartford, Connecticut auto accidents involving commercial vehicles. We feel it is necessary to address this topic as such cases can quickly become complicated. The complex nature of these types of cases can result in a victim failing to name all of the relevant defendants. This, in turn, can result in the victim not receiving the full amount of compensation to which they are entitled. The goal of our upcoming articles is to provide information which will assist in understanding the process so that you understand the importance of selecting the right personal injury lawyer. If you or a loved one are in need of assistance then contact our office today to speak with an attorney.
We will be addressing a number of topics over our coming articles. Issues which we will address include:
- The presence of multiple defendants in commercial vehicle accidents
- Settling a case against a commercial driver
- How liability is established in such cases
- The calculation of damages
- What to expect at trial
We chose to address these topics for several reasons. First, in cases which involve delivery vehicles, semi-trucks, etc., the driver of the vehicle as well as the owner will be liable. Furthermore, the owner may be liable for negligent hiring and supervision as well as for the accident itself. Second, settling these types of cases can take a significant amount of time as the liability of each party, and their percentage of the damages, must be determined. Complicating this is the fact that a victim’s damages must be reasonably ascertained before a settlement demand can be made. Third, liability and the assignment of fault is an issue for the jury. Fourth, our state requires the jury to determine the percentage of fault attributable to each particular defendant. Finally, knowing what to expect from the trial process can help to ensure that things go smoothly.
One point we cannot stress enough is that it is important to contact an experienced personal injury lawyer if you or a loved one have been hit by a commercial driver. Such cases can require counsel to expend significant resources, will often require expert witnesses, and, in our opinion, should often not be handled by firms without substantial personal injury experience. Our firm has been serving the area for over fifty years. We have substantial experience in trucking accident cases and other such matters. Contact us online or by telephone today to schedule an initial consultation. We also serve the areas of Wethersfield, New Britain, Rocky Hill, West and East Hartford, Bristol, Glastonbury, and Manchester, as well as the Middlesex County cities of Middletown and Cromwell.
