Commercial truck accidents are some of the most catastrophic forms of traffic collisions that can have lasting consequences for those involved. Such events might result in extensive physical injuries, loss of property, and even instant death. Trucks are usually the heaviest vehicles on the road, and due to their high momentum, they can crush anything present in their path. Most victims of such incidents are left holding thousands of dollars’ worth of medical bills, property damages, lost income, and emotional trauma. If you were injured in such a crash, it is only natural to wonder about the legal options available to you to seek compensation for your financial and non-financial losses. Consulting a competent truck accident lawyer immediately after the event can help you browse these options and get an expert opinion regarding a potential personal injury claim against the liable parties.
Determining Liability
Establishing fault in truck collisions can be highly challenging since they involve more than one party. Various case-specific factors could impact the direction and eventual outcome of your personal injury claim. Unlike common car accidents where usually only two parties are involved, incidents involving commercial trucks might involve the trucking company, truck manufacturer, cargo owner, maintenance company, or other parties besides the truck driver. So, it can be difficult to place blame on either of these parties. Your lawyer will be able to review your case and go from there.
Truck Driver
The truck driver might be held liable for your injuries if it is discovered that they were violating traffic regulations or engaging in reckless conduct. Some of the most common violations include impaired or drunk driving, driver fatigue, distracted driving, overspeeding, and more. Truck drivers need to be aware of their surroundings and if they are safe enough to drive. Each driver on the road is responsible for maintaining a reasonably safe environment for other drivers and failure to do so might result in them being liable for any subsequent crashes. Failure to do so will result in severe damage.
Trucking Company
A trucking company is ultimately responsible for the conduct of its employees and might be held liable. In this case, it’s by failing to professionally train their drivers or having lapses in supervision or monitoring. Failure to conduct timely inspections, enforce driving shifts, or violation of other safety regulations are commonly cited when such companies are named in civil liability lawsuits. Trucking companies need to be aware of their employees always. If they don’t regularly check in on them, it can lead to future accidents.
Truck Manufacturer
In some cases, a crash might result from manufacturing defects within the truck. That includes defective components or equipment, faulty brakes or steering, worn tires, engine issues, and more. Under such circumstances, it is reasonable to seek legal action against the truck manufacturer if an investigation discovers manufacturing faults to be the cause. These manufacturers are sending these trucks out with the assumption that they are in good condition. If they are not doing their inspections properly, they could be sending out trucks that are already damaged.
Truck Maintenance Company
Being heavy cargo transporters, trucks require periodic maintenance and repairs to ensure adequate function. Skipping these safety procedures might result in unsafe operation of the vehicle. These can create opportunities for significant breakdowns during driving that can result in catastrophic collisions on the road. Truck drivers are required to maintain logbooks detailing mandatory maintenance sessions that might provide concrete proof of liability for truck maintenance companies. If drivers are not checking in with their logbook, then they can be held liable in court.
Cargo Owner
If insecure cargo results in an adverse event, the loader or owner of the cargo can be found responsible for damages. Additionally, over or underloading the truck with cargo can interfere with the balance of the vehicle. This can prove to be hazardous for all drivers and passengers on the road by tipping over or shedding packages at a high speed. Cargo owners need to be aware of how much they are putting on a truck. It’s these details that can lead to accidents out on the road.
Conclusion
Establishing negligence in accidents involving commercial trucks is an overly complicated process that might involve multiple parties. Hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer is essential to finding and assigning fault in such cases. They will review your case and see who should be held accountable for your accident. It’s important to reach out to a trusted legal team immediately after your accident. You don’t want to miss receiving the financial compensation you deserve.
