Truck Accidents in Allentown PA, present unique challenges. Commercial vehicle operators must follow numerous state and federal laws, and they must carry more insurance than passenger vehicle drivers. In the event of an accident, multiple parties can share financial responsibility. For such reasons, a plaintiff has a greater chance of getting a fair settlement than a person in a conventional auto accident. Readers can Get additional info here on the factors involved in truck accident settlements.
Federal and State Laws Set Insurance and Conduct Standards
Manufacturers, owners, and operators of large trucks must comply with many federal and state laws. Weight limits, workday durations, and manufacturing quality controls are just some of the types of conduct that are heavily regulated. In Truck Accidents in Allentown PA, where a plaintiff isn’t at fault, a defendant likely violated a law. The violation is an important part of the settlement because proof of the broken law increases the plaintiff’s odds of a successful outcome.
Another important component in federal and state regulations is the greater insurance requirement imposed on operators and owners of large commercial trucks. For most purposes, defendants in these cases can only settle for amounts they can actually pay or the coverage limit set by the insurance company. The higher coverage requirements mean a plaintiff won’t be forced to accept a small settlement even if the company only carries the minimum amount of coverage.
Settlements in Cases With Multiple Defendants
When more than one defendant is named, all defendants may share responsibility for damages, or they may only pay for the damages they’ve caused. For instance, an overworked driver may share the blame with the truck’s manufacturer. If each defendant’s percentage of fault isn’t clear, a defendant may be forced to pay more than their share if the other defendant cannot afford to pay.
In cases where multiple defendants are to blame, and proportion of fault cannot be determined, a lawyer may have a hard time obtaining a settlement and the case may have to go to trial. It’s often clear that the plaintiff didn’t cause the accident, but defendants may opt for a trial because they can’t agree on who should carry most of the blame. A lawyer can help a client determine whether it is advantageous to settle out of court or to take the case to trial.
