If you are injured in a truck accident, one of the first questions you need to answer is who is responsible for it. Identifying the at-fault party is the first step in recovering fair compensation for your injuries and losses.
An experienced truck accident lawyer from Salango Law, PLLC, can review the circumstances surrounding the crash to determine which of the following parties is responsible for your injuries:
Truck Driver
The first party you might consider for liability in your truck accident case is the truck driver. Truck drivers cause crashes all of the time due to factors such as:
- Speeding
- Drowsy driving
- Impaired driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Failing to check blind spots
- Unsafe passing
- Not adjusting speed for road or weather conditions
- Overcorrecting
- Not inspecting cargo during transit
Truck drivers must follow state and federal regulations regarding the safe operation of commercial vehicles. If they don’t, they could be held responsible for the resulting accident.
Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for the negligence of their drivers. They can also be responsible for their own forms of negligence, such as:
- Setting unrealistic delivery deadlines that encourage speeding or drowsy driving
- Not following hours of service rules or using electronic logging devices
- Not maintaining their fleet
- Hiring unqualified drivers
- Failing to drug or alcohol test drivers
An experienced truck accident lawyer can investigate trucking companies that shirk their responsibilities in the name of profit.
Mechanics
Trucking companies sometimes outsource the maintenance of their fleet to a third party. A mechanic or mechanical company could be responsible for accidents caused by:
- Blown tires
- Worn brakes, brake pads, or rotors
- Misaligned suspension systems
- Broken windshield wipers or lights
- Worn couplings
- Failing transmissions or engines
Obtaining a trucking company’s repair and maintenance records can help establish if mechanical issues were a contributing factor to the accident that harmed you.
Parts Manufacturers
Commercial trucks are comprised of several thousand moving parts. If any of these parts are defective, an accident could occur. In such situations, the manufacturer of the defective part may be to blame for your accident.
Cargo Loading Company
Many trucking companies outsource loading to a third party. These companies are responsible for safely loading and securing cargo. If the cargo shifts during transit, the truck can tip over or jackknife, and cargo could also be lost on the roadway. A lawyer can investigate whether a cargo loading company is responsible for the accident.
Other Motorists
In some truck accidents, the negligence of other motorists may cause truck crashes. For example, a car may have been trying to speed around a truck when the crash occurred. Our legal team can investigate your case to determine the factors that contributed to your accident and identify all parties responsible for your damages.
Contact Salango Law, PLLC for a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, Salango Law, PLLC can investigate and seek to hold the negligent party accountable for the full extent of your damages. Contact us online or call (304) 342-0512 for a free consultation.