A collision between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle has the potential to be a devastating incident. The people in the smaller vehicle are at risk of life-altering injuries and substantial property damage losses.
After the crash occurs, the people affected may require financial compensation. They need to repair or replace their vehicles and replace the wages they cannot earn because of their injuries. To successfully pursue compensation, the injured people affected by the crash have to hold the right party accountable for the incident.
How can people determine who is actually liable for a collision involving a semi-truck?
Numerous parties could be liable for a crash
If the larger vehicle was clearly to blame for the collision, there could be multiple parties that are liable for the collision depending on the circumstances. Many commercial vehicle crashes are the result of poor choices made by commercial drivers or other issues with their job performance.
In cases where a truck driver was under the influence or texted while driving, they may be personally to blame for the crash that occurred. They may have liability for the crash, especially if they are an owner-operator driving a semi truck they own. If the truck driver at fault for the crash is an employee working for a transportation company, then the employer might also have a degree of liability for the incident.
Vicarious liability rules often make employers responsible for incidents that result from the negligence of their employees. In trucking collision scenarios, employers could also be liable due to unsafe employment practices. Failing to adequately maintain fleet vehicles could also make a trucking company liable for a crash. As many as one in 10 commercial vehicle collisions occur because of something wrong with the commercial truck.
In some cases, the issue with the truck might actually be the fault of an outside party. Clients often load their own trailers. Imbalanced loads or unstable contents, such as liquids, might result in a preventable crash.
Parts suppliers and vehicle manufacturers might be liable in scenarios where defective vehicle components contributed to the collision. Mechanics who maintain fleet vehicles could also be partially liable for collisions if they make mistakes while repairing or maintaining commercial trucks. In a small percentage of cases, issues with the road can contribute to a crash occurring.
One of the most important steps for holding the right party accountable after a semi-truck crashes is to gather and preserve evidence after a collision occurs. The right information can go a long way toward establishing the underlying cause of the crash.
People trying to limit their losses after a crash with an 18-wheeler may need help evaluating the evidence and preparing to request compensation from the appropriate parties. Reviewing crash reports and other evidence with a skilled legal team can help people begin the process of seeking compensation from the right party.