Determining who was responsible for an accident is a crucial for victims. However, liability is not always straightforward, especially in trucking accidents that can involve multiple parties. What individuals and companies might play a part in a semi-truck crash?
The driver behind the wheel of the truck
Truck drivers are often the first party to consider when determining liability. If the driver acted irresponsibly by speeding, driving while fatigued or failing to obey traffic laws, they could be legally responsible for accidents caused by those choices.
The truck carrier company
Another party that might be responsible for a crash is the trucking company. This could be due to several reasons, including:
- Negligent hiring: Companies might hire drivers without proper background checks or with poor driving records.
- Inadequate training: Companies might fail to train drivers adequately for the demands of operating a large truck.
- Poor maintenance: The law requires companies to perform regular maintenance on their trucks. Poor maintenance can lead to mechanical failures that could cause accidents.
- Pressuring drivers: Companies may encourage drivers to ignore regulations to meet deadlines. This can lead to reckless driving.
If the trucking company’s irresponsible actions led to the accident, then a lawsuit can help injured people hold them responsible.
The companies that manufactured the truck or automotive parts
Sometimes, the cause of a truck accident may be a defective part in the truck. If a defective part caused the accident, the manufacturer would be liable. This can include tire manufacturers, brake manufacturers and companies that make other parts that are crucial to the safe operation of the vehicle.
The individual or company that loaded the cargo
Improper loading can cause the cargo to fall off, shift in the trailer or weight one side of the trailer more heavily than the other. If improper loading of the truck’s cargo contributed to the accident—such as overloading the truck or not securing the load properly—then injured people can hold the party responsible for loading the truck liable after a crash.
Maintenance providers
Third-party services may be responsible for maintaining the truck. If they fail to do so or do not address known issues, that failure can lead to brake failure, tire blowouts or other mechanical failures.
Other drivers on the road
It is also possible that other drivers on the road could contribute to or directly cause a truck accident. For instance, if another motorist cuts off a truck, causing the truck driver to swerve and lose control, that motorist’s actions could be a significant factor in the accident.
Truck accidents can be complex events, and more than one person or company could have contributed to the crash. Thankfully, by gathering the necessary evidence to show how each party contributed to the accident, injured people can secure fair compensation.