Trucking accidents cause serious injuries to drivers or passengers of smaller vehicles. In fact, some of them may not even survive the collision. Determining the parties that victims can sue after a commercial truck accident is usually more complicated than car accidents. If you have been injured in an accident that involves a commercial truck, you want the party who caused it to compensate you for the injuries and losses you sustained.
Even if the trucker is obviously to blame for the crash, liability may also be assigned to other parties. The employer of the driver or the trucking company may also be held liable for the driver’s actions. Because of this, lawsuits that commercial trucks usually result in bigger settlements and verdicts than cases that involve private vehicles. Typically, trucking companies carry more insurance coverage. Victims of a truck accident can bring a lawsuit against any of the following, depending on the circumstances:
Truck Driver
Truckers are responsible for the majority of commercial truck accidents. Accidents of which they are at fault often result from driver fatigue, reckless driving, and negligence. Your attorney will look into all possibilities to determine how the cash took place.
Trucking Company
The trucker’s employer or the trucking company also be held responsible for the accident if they failed to do a background check for previous DUIs, medical issues, or other traffic violations. Letting an unqualified and inexperienced driver increases the risk of road accidents.
Truck or Trailer Owner
A truck or trailer owner may also be a defendant in a truck accident lawsuit if they fail to maintain their truck or its parts. A truck accident can occur due to worn-out tires or brake failures.
Loading Companies
Loading companies need to comply with federal regulations to ensure trucks are balanced and appropriately loaded. Should a truck tip over and lead to a collision, a loading may face liability. Sometimes, an accident like the cargo spilling onto the road can also lead to injuries or deaths.
Freight Broker
This trucking middleman is hired when a business wants to ship goods. A freight broker may face a lawsuit if it fails to exercise due diligence when hiring a trucking company that has a bad safety record.
Truck or Part Manufacturer
If a truck accident happens because of a truck defect or part issues like faulty brakes and tires, the company that manufactured the truck or part will be held liable for the resulting damages.
