Penticton Truck Accident Lawyers
When negligent truck drivers engage in wrongful behaviour on the road, the consequences can be fatal. Each year in British Columbia, dozens of people lose their lives in fatal truck accidents and hundreds more sustain serious, often life-altering injuries.
In accordance with the province’s Motor Vehicle Act, all drivers owe a duty of care to other road-users. That means that anyone who operates a motor vehicle on the province’s roads and highways are required by law to do so with a reasonable degree of caution, taking the safety of other motorists, their passengers, motorcycle riders, cyclists, and pedestrians into account at all times.
Truck drivers are not exempt from the rules of the road. Indeed, owing to their vehicles’ outsize weight and size in relation to smaller passenger vehicles, truck drivers should be vigilant about maintaining safe driving habits.
Unfortunately, truck drivers often indulge in a myriad of distractions behind the wheel or adopt other unsafe driving practices to meet the demands of their job. In many instances, truck drivers knowingly exceed the speed limit in order to try reaching their delivery destination on time. They might forgo sleep and proper nutrition in order to stick to an impossible schedule, thereby operating their vehicles past the point of physical exhaustion. To combat fatigue and stay awake for long stretches of time, truck drivers might rely on amphetamines, stimulants, or other illicit substances that could jeopardize the lives of other road-users.
The actions of negligent truck drivers could have lifelong consequences for accident victims and their families. If you were injured in a collision caused by a negligent truck driver before May 1, 2021, our Penticton truck accident lawyers may be able to help you recover the compensation you deserve.
By working with our truck accident lawyers serving Penticton, you might be able to pursue a civil claim against the at-fault commercial vehicle operator and, depending on the circumstances of your case, against other contributorily negligent parties (for example, the trucking company that employed the negligent driver). By doing so, our Penticton truck accident lawyers may be able to help you recover damages that are both economic and non-economic in nature, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Reduced future earning capability
- Medical expenses
- Prescriptions
- Attendant care
- Prosthetics
- Mobility aids
- Other medical equipment
- Housekeeping services
- Necessary home modifications
- Mileage to and from medical appointments
- Physiotherapy
- Psychological counseling
- And possibly more
Unfortunately, because ICBC adopted a new, no-fault insurance system on May 1, 2021, truck accident victims injured after that date will almost certainly face additional challenges in their pursuits of accountability and fair compensation. Under ICBC’s so-called “enhanced care” insurance model, injured survivors of motor vehicle collisions no longer have the right to sue the liable parties for damages (except in certain situations). That means, even if a truck driver’s negligence behind the wheel caused your accident to occur, you will likely not be entitled to pursue a civil claim against them. Additionally, if your ICBC claim has been denied, or if the settlement you receive is too low to cover your total injury-related losses, it is now more difficult than ever to appeal the company’s unfair decision. To voice your concerns about this unfair new insurance model, contact your MLA.
Call Preszler Injury Lawyers for a Free Initial Consultation
Our truck accident lawyers serving Penticton are committed to providing crucial assistance and advice to injured survivors of motor vehicle collisions. We know the process of pursuing compensation can be confusing and overwhelming. That is why our Penticton truck accident lawyers offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation.
To receive personalized feedback about compensatory options that might be available to you, contact us online to schedule your free initial consultation, or speak to our truck accident lawyers serving Penticton today by calling 1-800-JUSTICE.
