Vernon Truck Accident Lawyers
According to the British Columbia Motor Vehicle Act, all drivers on the province’s roads and highways are required to take the safety of others in consideration. As such, it is incumbent upon all drivers to operate motor vehicles with a reasonable degree of caution so as to prevent injurious or deadly collisions.
Truck drivers are not exempt from these rules. These professional drivers are charged with a difficult and dangerous task: operating massive, heavy vehicles for hours at a time. Without constant vigilance and safety-consciousness, truck drivers could jeopardize the lives of countless road-users, including:
- Passenger vehicle occupants
- Motorcycle riders
- Cyclists
- Pedestrians
- And others
Unfortunately, truck drivers do not always carry out the duties of their job in a cautious and responsible fashion. Sometimes, truck drivers feel the need to cut corners, adopt unsafe driving habits, or engage in other forms of negligence in order to meet the rigorous demands of their jobs.
In addition to forgoing sleep, eating full meals while their vehicle is in motion, driving past the point of exhaustion, abusing stimulants and/or amphetamines to stay awake, truck drivers could endanger the lives of others simply by indulging in momentary distractions. Driving a truck can be an isolating profession. To combat the doldrums of long, lonely days on the road, truck drivers might look for distractions to occupy themselves while driving. But these distractions can be deadly. In the time it takes to glance away from the windshield to check a text message notification, lives can be lost in senseless, tragic accidents.
If you were injured in a collision caused by a negligent truck driver, you may be entitled to compensation. If your accident occurred before May 1, 2021, you might be eligible to sue the at-fault truck driver and, depending on the circumstances of your case, against contributorily negligent third parties. For example, if a trucking company knew the driver responsible for your accident had a history of unsafe behaviour on the road but employed them anyway, they might be considered partially liable for the damages you have incurred or will incur in the future.
However, thanks to sweeping changes instituted by ICBC, if your accident took place after May 1, 2021, it could be more difficult than ever to recover the compensation you deserve. ICBC’s newly implemented “enhanced care” model of insurance coverage makes it impossible for injured accident survivors to sue the people or entities responsible for their injuries. The Crown corporation has also made it harder than ever to appeal unfairly denied ICBC claims or to contest low settlement amounts. To express your concern about what ICBC’s no-fault insurance system could mean for you and your family, contact your MLA and ask them to repeal the “enhanced care” insurance model.
Call 1-800-JUSTICE To Speak with Our Vernon Truck Accident Lawyers
Our truck accident lawyers serving Vernon appreciate how challenging, expensive, and confusing it can be to sustain injuries in a collision. That is why our Vernon truck accident lawyers offer all prospective clients a free initial consultation.
To learn how our truck accident lawyers serving Vernon may be able to assist you, contact us to schedule your free initial consultation, or call 1-800-JUSTICE today.
