Can I Sue the Trucking Company After a Kansas Semi-Truck Accident?
When you have been involved in a crash with a semi-truck in Kansas, you may be wondering: Can I sue the trucking company? The short answer is yes, but only if you act quickly and use the right strategy. At Neustrom & Associates, your Salina attorneys serving North Central and Central Kansas, we help injury victims take on large trucking firms and their insurers.
SPEED IS IMPORTANT: The trucking company, its driver, the shipper, broker and trailer company could be held liable in some cases. We prefer to start right after the crash, before evidence is lost or witnesses have been recorded, as stories can change. Truck companies measure and monitor their drivers and that evidence, plus black boxes, video and other evidence can show speed, turning, braking or fatigue. Pictures tell the story of the crash. And skid marks tell a story but wear off quickly, and may not be available later.
Why the trucking company may be responsible
In a typical semi-truck collision, liability may lie not only with the driver but also with the trucking company. Under Kansas law, a company can be held liable if it:
- Hired a careless or unqualified driver and failed to supervise them properly;
- Failed to perform required maintenance on the vehicle or ignored safety regulations;
- Allowed the driver to exceed hours-of-service limits or drive while fatigued;
- Failed to train the driver in safe commercial-vehicle operations;
- Violated federal or state trucking regulations, causing the crash.
Because semis are massive and regulated differently, the trucking company often faces more exposure for a collision than the individual driver. For example, the website for Neustrom & Associates specifically lists “Truck Accidents” and “Semi-Truck/Big Rig Accidents” among their practice areas.
What you must prove in a Kansas case
To sue the trucking company successfully, your attorney must build a case showing:
- The trucking company owed you a duty of care (as the employer of the driver).
- The duty was breached (for instance, by ignoring maintenance or allowing a fatigued driver).
- The breach caused the collision.
- You suffered damages (medical bills, lost wages, pain & suffering). Gathering proof may require obtaining the truck driver’s logs, the company’s training and maintenance records, black-box data, or state inspection reports.
Deadlines and limits in Kansas
Under Kansas law, you must also be aware of the statute of limitations and insurance issues. Even though many truck cases involve serious injury, you still must file your claim or lawsuit within the time allowed, or risk losing your right to sue. The trucking company will have insurance coverage, and its carrier may fight aggressively to limit your recovery.
Why hire a Salina lawyer experienced in truck crashes
Truck-crash cases present unique challenges: multiple parties (driver, company, insurer), complex regulatory violations, and high stakes. That’s why at Neustrom & Associates, we focus on serious injury and truck accidents in Salina and the surrounding regions. Their website emphasizes “over 80 years combined experience” and that they treat you as a person, not just another file.
As your Salina legal team, we’ll handle the investigation, negotiate with insurers, and fight to hold the trucking company accountable. You shouldn’t have to bear the cost and consequences of someone else’s negligence.
Steps to Take After A Semi-Truck Crash in Salina
If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a semi-truck, acting promptly is critical. Contact the attorneys at Neustrom & Associates in Salina for a free case evaluation. We’ll review the facts, help you understand your rights, and decide whether the trucking company can be sued in your situation.
Don’t wait: injuries from truck accidents can worsen, evidence can disappear, and deadlines can expire. Call us today at 785-825-1505 or visit our website to schedule your consultation. Your recovery matters, and we’re ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.