Attorneys Who Understand Their Clients

Who may be legally liable for a truck accident?

It is often noted that truck accidents can result in catastrophic accidents and injuries for victims. The size disparity between commercial trucks, often weighing as much as 80,000 pounds, and passenger vehicles, which typically weigh around 3,000 pounds, can result in catastrophic accidents which can seriously injure and harm victims.

As a result, it is important for truck accident victims to be familiar with the legal protections available to them and the parties that may be considered liable for a truck accident. Parties that may be considered responsible for a truck accident include:

  • The truck driver – truck drivers may negligently cause a truck accident in a variety of different ways that can result in harm to the victim. Truck drivers who are fatigued; driving on the influence; driving too fast for the weather or roadway conditions; fail to adjust to traffic or other driving conditions; are driving distracted; violate truck driving regulations; do not take required rest breaks; or falsify trucking logs may all be considered liable if they cause a truck accident.
  • Trucking companies – depending on the nature of the relationship between the truck driving and the trucking company, the trucking company may also be liable for negligent actions of the truck driver. If the truck driver is an employee of the trucking company, the trucking company may also be legally liable for the damages suffered by victims. One additional example of when trucking companies may be liable is when they fail to properly maintain the truck and trucking equipment.

A legal claim for damages against those responsible for the harm suffered by the truck accident victims can help victims recover compensation to help with their physical, financial and emotional damages. Truck accidents can unexpectedly change the lives of victims and their families in an instant which is why victims need to be familiar with the legal protections available to them when they have been injured in a truck accident.