The liability for truck accidents may be shared by different parties who all may be liable to victims for the injuries and harm they have suffered in a truck accident. Truck accidents can result in catastrophic injuries for victims which is why they should understand who may be liable to compensate them for their damages and how personal injury legal protections may help.
Liability for truck accidents
Depending on the circumstances, and who is responsible, different parties may be liable to victims of truck accidents for truck accident damages. Parties that may be liable can include:
- Truck drivers: Truck drivers can be liable for truck accidents if they were negligent in some way such as by driving too fast for roadway conditions, driving while distracted, driving while impaired or if they drive while fatigued because they failed to follow time in service and rest break regulations.
- Trucking companies: Depending on the relationship between the trucking company and truck driver, trucking companies may also be liable to victims injured in a truck accident. Truck companies may place pressure on drivers in the form of unrealistic deadlines that lead to truck accidents.
- Truck manufacturers and cargo loaders: Truck manufacturers can be liable for truck accidents when a defect led to the accident. Additionally, if cargo loaders are responsible for overloading a truck or improperly securing a load, they may also be liable for the damages caused in a truck accident.
Because truck accident damages can be serious, they can result in costly physical, financial and emotional damages for victims. A personal injury legal claim can help victims seek compensation from negligent parties responsible for the harm they have suffered regardless of who they are.