Blog of Charles Bryan Alred
Who Should I Sue After a Truck Accident?
Posted on March 22, 2021
A truck accident is similar to a car accident in many ways, but it is also very different. In a car accident, for example, you often have just one person on the other side of your claim—the other driver. Truck accidents will often involve several parties (and their insurance carriers), which makes lawsuits involving truck crashes much more complex and time-consuming.
We have included a few examples of people or entities that might be involved in your truck accident case.
The Truck Driver
The truck driver is the most obvious person who would be involved in your case. The vast majority of truck accidents are the result of driver error. If the truck driver was careless or not following the federal and state laws that affect trucking businesses, then he or she may be at fault for your crash.
The Trucking Company
When the truck driver works directly for a trucking company, he or she represents that company. That can often mean that the trucking company is vicariously liable for their driver’s actions or inactions.
The trucking company can also be directly at fault in some cases, as well. For example, they might have hired a driver who has a history of poor driving or does not have the right licensing. In that situation, the employer may be directly (rather than vicariously) liable for your injuries because they did not hire someone qualified to drive a truck safely.
The Shipping Company
When a truck is carrying products, the company that owns or loaded the product might also be involved in a lawsuit. Packing a truck the right way to avoid problems with unequal weight distribution is very important. When the truck’s cargo had anything to do with the crash, the shipping company may be an important defendant.
The Maintenance or Repair Crew
Faulty maintenance is just as much of a problem for trucks as it is for passenger vehicles. If a mechanic made a mistake in repairing or maintaining the truck, they might need to be involved in the lawsuit.
Get Legal Help with Your Truck Accident Case
If you have been involved in a truck accident, you might have a legal claim. Naming the right person or entity at fault is a huge concern in truck accident litigation. It is important that you work with your attorney to do some thorough investigation about who is at fault for your crash. Contact our firm today to learn more about how our team can help.
