If a truck driver causes a serious accident, other drivers may suffer from traumatic injuries and wrongful deaths. Victims and survivors of victims of trucking accidents can pursue liable parties for medical coverage, vehicle repairs, lost wages, funeral costs and pain and suffering. However, determining the liable party in a trucking accident is not always easy.
There are several possible liable parties in a trucking accident. Here is what you should know:
1. Truck operators
Often the most obvious liable party in a trucking accident is the truck driver. A driver might be responsible for an auto accident if they were negligent, distracted or drunk. Any kind of traffic violation could make a truck driver responsible for an auto accident. A truck driver may also be responsible for an auto accident if they do not take any breaks during their route, causing them to fall asleep behind the wheel.
2. Trucking companies
While it may seem like a truck driver is the liable party in an auto accident, that is not always the case. The trucker’s employer may have helped cause an auto accident. For example, an employer may have pushed a trucker to skip their break and push through their route. Or, an employer may have neglected to train their driver or provide their employees with sufficient training on safety regulations and vehicle operation.
3. Truck mechanics
Trucks are meant to be serviced frequently, often more often than other vehicles. Mechanics are often meant to do thorough inspections of trucks to help avoid failure. A negligent mechanic may cause an auto accident if they carelessly maintain a truck, such as failing to inspect brakes or fixing tire issues.
If you or someone you know was involved in a trucking accident, you may be able to seek compensation with legal help.