Truck accidents are much more serious than regular accidents. And since these often involve employees, the trucking company may be liable. Even in cases where the trucker seems to be the sole party responsible, you may be able to sue the trucking company for damages. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why a trucking company might be held liable after a truck accident.
Speeding
This is one of these cases where it might seem like things were out of the trucking company’s control, but it goes deeper than that. Things like a trucker’s logbook can shed some light on accidents that could put some of the blame on the company. If the truck was behind on deliveries and was pushed to go faster, for instance, the company could be held liable.
This is why working with a lawyer that’s well versed in truck accidents and state/federal regulations will be essential. Not only will they be able to spot violations, but they’ll also read into things like how fast a trucker was able to get from stop to stop. This could help them establish whether it would be possible without speeding.
Overloaded Trucks
Accidents caused by cargo falling from a truck are very common and can have disastrous consequences. But it’s not the only threat an overloaded truck can pose. For instance, a truck that is too heavy could go downhill faster, sustain burst tires, or suffer brake failure. A poorly loaded truck is also more likely to roll or cause the driver to lose control.
Driver Fatigue
Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of truck accidents and often results in fatalities. It was estimated that driver fatigue was involved in about 4{bf3ef872bf79607df6f155b3e0338b88063ab11e07eb6687535348b3bd8cf58c} of all accidents involving commercial drivers. There are some cases where the driver will be the sole party responsible, but the company could be held responsible as well.
Many regulations dictate how much time drivers should spend on the road and how much rest time they need. The schedule for drivers should also be reasonable and everything should be recorded in a logbook.
Poor Vehicle Maintenance
It is also the company’s responsibility to make sure that their vehicles are safe. It is true that drivers also have to perform inspections, but the duty ultimately rests on the company’s shoulders.
If it was found that the vehicle had poor tires or bad brakes, then the company might be held responsible. This will also be the case if the company had repairs that were poorly performed on the vehicle that led to an accident. While the company that performed the repair might be deemed responsible as well, the company also has the responsibility of inspecting repairs before sending vehicles on the road.
These are only some of the reasons why you could be able to sue a trucking company in case you were involved in an accident with a truck. Make sure that you speak with an attorney that knows the intricacies of truck accident law, so you can get full compensation.