Truckers are at much more risk of getting into a vehicle accident on the job than other motorists because of the number of hours they spend on the road. We have all heard of trucker fatigue and tight schedules forcing truckers to drive too fast, so we tend to think truckers are at fault in major accidents. However, it is often other drivers causing these crashes by tailgating big trucks, cutting them off, reckless merging, or other unsafe driving practices.
Where Injured Truckers Can Seek Compensation
Depending on who caused the traffic accident, a trucker injured in a wreck while working may be able to seek reimbursement for his medical bills and lost wages from more than one party. Potential liable parties include:
- The trucker’s employer. In New Jersey, a truck driver injured in a work-related traffic accident is entitled to workers’ compensation payments for his medical bills and lost wages. The employer is responsible for paying these even if the trucker caused the accident.
- The other driver. If the other driver caused the crash, the truck driver can also pursue a negligence lawsuit against him. This can be beneficial to the trucker because he could seek compensation for injuries that workers’ compensation does not pay for. These can include part of his wages, which are often paid based on a schedule under workers’ comp, and pain and suffering damages not recoverable under workers’ compensation.
These cases can be complicated because of the multiple parties who could be liable for your injuries. It is important to have an experienced workers’ compensation attorney on your side who also handles personal injury cases to help you get all the compensation you could be entitled to. I have been helping people like you for over 20 years. Start an online chat to schedule a FREE consultation to learn how I can help you.
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