Get Ahead in Your Personal Injury Case

Get Ahead in Your Personal Injury Case

4 Parties Who May Share Liability For A Truck Accident

by Kenneth Pierce

Passenger vehicles share public roadways with large semi-trucks on a daily basis. This creates potential hazards that can lead to disaster.

Being involved in an accident with a semi-truck could leave you with serious vehicle damage and severe injuries. A lawsuit can be the best way to seek financial compensation for your losses.

In order to file a personal injury lawsuit for your truck accident, you need to identify the party, or parties, responsible for causing the accident to occur.

1. The Driver's Employer

You may be able to name the employer of the truck driver as a defendant in your personal injury lawsuit. Large transportation companies have a responsibility to ensure that their drivers and equipment perform safely at all times.

If an employer fails to do a thorough background check on a driver or doesn't complete routine maintenance on the semi involved in your accident, the employer could be held legally liable for the damages the accident caused.

2. The Truck Manufacturer

Some truck accidents are caused by faulty or defective equipment. The manufacturers who produce large semis must use components that are safe and reliable.

If your attorney can prove that a defective design, manufacturing process, or component contributed to your accident, you can take legal action against the manufacturer.

If an individual part is to blame for your accident, then the manufacturer of that part can also be held liable for damages.

3. The Cargo Loaders

Semi-trucks are typically loaded by third-party entities. This means that neither the driver nor the transportation company has control over the way cargo is loaded into the semi-trailer in preparation for transit.

Improperly loaded cargo can contribute to serious accidents. A failure to use adequate tie-downs could result in flying debris. A load that shifts inside the trailer could throw a semi off balance and cause a serious accident.

You can take legal action against the individuals or companies who loaded the cargo into a semi-trailer if improper loading contributed to your accident.

4. The Maintenance Company

Many transportation companies hire a third-party garage to perform routine maintenance. It is the responsibility of these garages to follow protocol and use quality parts when making repairs.

Your attorney will be able to subpoena records showing if fraudulent repair reports were filed by the garage, or if the garage knowingly neglected vital repairs.

If you can prove that a lack of maintenance contributed to your accident, you can hold the maintenance company liable for damages with a truck accident injury attorney.


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About Me

Get Ahead in Your Personal Injury Case

As the sister of a law student, I thought that I could handle my own personal injury case when I was hit by a vehicle as I was walking across the street. Luckily, the car wasn't going very fast – but I did end up with a contusion and a broken leg. Turns out the process wasn't easy and I ended up hiring a lawyer. I learned a lot about the kind of information needed to win a personal injury case such as the kind of evidence that is effective and the types of documentation needed from the insurance company, employers, and even witnesses that were at the scene. My name is Rebecca, and I created this website to help guide you through your personal injury case. There is no reason for you to feel alone throughout the process, and I hope my insight helps you feel more empowered with your decision making.

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