Some of the deadliest car accidents are caused by trucks. On average, semi trucks are often three times as long, three times as high and more than twenty times heavier than most cars. In an accident, semi trucks may impact multiple vehicles and topple over. In some truck accident cases, dangerous cargo may harm pedestrians near the accident site.
However, truck accident cases are often very complicated. There may be several parties who are responsible for causing a truck accident. When starting a case to recover compensation from a truck accident, it can be important to understand who may be liable for damages. Here is what you should know:
Holding truckers liable
A truck driver may have been liable for an accident if they were negligent or reckless. This could happen if a trucker was speeding, drifting between lanes or failing to follow traffic laws. A trucker could also endanger others by being distracted, consuming alcohol or falling asleep behind the wheel. Alternatively, a trucker may have neglected to have a truck serviced to replace brakes and other safety features.
Holding trucking companies liable
A trucking company may also be liable for damages if it failed to enforce safety procedures or policies. For example, a company may have neglected to properly train a trucker or check a driver’s background history for traffic violations. Furthermore, a company could be liable if it did not perform vehicle maintenance or update vehicles.
Holding truck manufacturers liable
In some cases, a truck manufacturer could be liable for damages for allowing big rigs to continue driving on the road when there was a known defect in manufacturing. Or, a manufacturer may have neglected key safety features when designing a truck.
Professional legal guidance can help victims sue liable parties after a truck accident.
