Figuring out the party responsible for a truck accident may be complicated, but a seasoned truck accident attorney can help victims navigate the entire process. Other parties might be held responsible for your damages when filing a truck accident lawsuit. Below is a list of parties that may be held liable following a truck accident.
Trucking Companies
Motor carriers don’t always make corporate decisions that may benefit drivers. Most drivers are caught up in a system that prioritizes profits over safety and promotes risky driving. If a trucking company is liable for violating the laws protecting truckers and other individuals on the road, they’re eligible to pay for the damages sustained by the victims. Trucking companies are found guilty of inadequately training drivers, hiring underqualified drivers, failure to inspect trucks, encouraging drivers to use stimulants, and failing to do routine vehicle maintenance. Victims who sustain injuries following a truck accident should contact a reliable 18-wheeler accident attorney to assist them in filing a claim to improve their chances of fair compensation.
Truck Drivers
Driver error is the leading cause of most tractor-trailer accidents. Most truck drivers encounter hazards during transit and react accordingly, while others act negligently, leading to an accident. Truck driver negligence comes in several forms, and truck drivers who engage in any of the listed behaviors are found responsible for the occurrence of an accident.
- Disregarding traffic signals and signs
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs, including prescription medications
- Driving while fatigued
- Speeding
- Aggressive driving, including swerving and tailgating
Your truck accident attorney examines how the trucker’s action may have been coerced by their company.
Passenger Car Drivers
A sports utility vehicle (SUV) or a light truck may be held liable for an accident involving a commercial tractor-trailer. A vehicle that’s indirectly or directly involved may be held responsible. For instance, a vehicle driver who makes an illegal turn causing a truck collision is directly responsible for the accident. In other instances, a vehicle driver can cause an accident without being involved in the aftermath. An SUV driver may cut off the truck driver, causing them to lose control of their car and speed away uninjured. If that’s the case, they could still be responsible for the accident.
Truck Owners
In some cases, the trucking company or the driver involved in the accident may not be the truck’s owner. The truck owner is a separate entity at times but can still be held liable if found negligent for the collision. Truck owners are responsible for conducting routine inspections, maintaining fluid levels, safeguarding engine functions, and keeping up with maintenance tasks to ensure the truck’s safety. Owners who fail to perform the listed functions are held liable via a truck accident claim.
Vehicle Parts Manufacturers
Some accidents happen due to an error that occurs years or even months before the accident. This may happen if a car component is manufactured or designed with a defect. For instance, if faulty brakes lead to a collision, the brake manufacturer is held responsible for the outcomes of the company’s negligence.
Shipping Companies
The cargo can shift while in transit, disturbing the truck’s balance if it’s not secured correctly. Improperly loaded cargo may cause loss of truck control, tire blowout, and transmission or brake failure. Your truck accident lawyer examines the evidence to assess whether the shipping company was negligent in the occurrence of the accident. Negligence can occur due to improper loading techniques, failure to inspect, or overloading.
Establishing a fault following a truck accident is tedious at times. Work with an experienced truck accident attorney to assist you in gathering the evidence to establish fault. Working with a seasoned personal injury attorney lets you focus on your recovery as they will file the case on your behalf.
