Figuring out who is at fault for a truck accident can be challenging because several people or companies may be responsible. Uncovering all of these parties can help people harmed by truck accidents seek justice. Who might be at fault?
The truck driver
When a semi-truck accident happens, people often first think about the truck driver. If the driver was careless and this led to the crash, they could be at fault. Examples of being careless include speeding, driving while tired, being distracted, or not following traffic rules. Around 87 percent of large truck accidents involve driver errors.
The company the driver works for
The company that hired the truck driver might also be responsible. If the company did not hire carefully, did not train their drivers well or forced them to work longer hours than the law allows, the court may consider the company negligent.
The truck’s owner
A truck’s owner – whether that owner is the company the driver works for or another business – must make sure the truck is safe to drive. If they didn’t check the truck regularly or fix known problems, they could be responsible for the accident.
Cargo loaders
The people who load the truck’s cargo might be at fault if they did not load the truck properly. If the cargo was too heavy or not secured, it could cause the truck to tip over or go out of control.
Vehicle or component manufacturers
If defective vehicle systems lead to a crash, the maker of that part or the whole truck might be at fault. This could include problems like brake failure, tire blowouts or engine issues.
Maintenance companies
If another company oversaw maintaining the truck and did a poor job, they could be responsible. Poor maintenance can lead to dangerous mechanical failures.
Other drivers
Other drivers can also cause accidents with semi-trucks. For example, if a car cuts off a truck suddenly, it can cause a crash because trucks need more time to stop. These drivers can be fully or partly at fault depending on what happened.
Semi-truck accidents can involve many responsible parties, and figuring out who is responsible often requires a detailed look at many aspects of the accident. Understanding the parties involved is an important part of seeking justice.