It is no exaggeration to say that many truck accidents are life-threatening. If you or a loved one has been badly injured in one of these collisions, it is only natural to want justice. But who can be held responsible? The answer depends on the specifics of your case. The trucking company itself can be held liable in some circumstances. A Cook County, IL auto accident attorney can help you pursue a claim, standing up for your rights.
No case is too big or too small for our firm. At Law Office of J. Francis Barker, P.C., we can assist with the process of filing a personal injury claim against a negligent trucking company.
Why Scope of Employment Matters in Truck Accident Claims
As a general rule, employers are responsible for any accidents caused by their employees – a legal principle known as vicarious liability. However, vicarious liability does not apply to every truck accident. A trucking company can only be held liable under this principle if the employee was acting “within the scope of his or her employment.” This means that the employee must have been doing his or her job at the time of the accident.