Truck accidents can lead to catastrophic injuries due to the massive size and power of these vehicles. Before your truck accident attorney can fight for compensation to cover your medical bills and lost wages, he or she must determine who is responsible for the accident. This is often complicated because more than one party may be financially liable for the damages the accident caused. At O’Connor, Acciani & Levy, our Columbus truck accident attorneys know how to conduct an in-depth investigation as we try to determine all liable parties. We are prepared to aggressively pursue compensation on your behalf. Schedule a free, no obligation legal consultation today. You will not owe legal fees unless you receive fair compensation. Some of the parties that could be held liable for a truck accident include:
Truck Drivers
Truck drivers are responsible for safely driving these massive vehicles. Unfortunately, the most commonly reported cause of truck accidents is driver error or negligence. Some common examples of driver negligence include:- Drowsy driving
- Texting while driving
- Violating hours of service rules
- Driving while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Violating traffic laws like speeding or running a red light
- Engaging in reckless driving, such as speeding or veering out of a lane of traffic
Trucking Companies
Trucking companies are for-profit entities that are solely focused on the bottom line. This means that your safety and the safety of others in traditional passenger vehicles is not the primary concern. Trucking companies are often paid by the load, so the sooner a truck driver can deliver the goods it is hauling, the faster the company can get paid. That is why trucking companies may demand that drivers log more miles than what may be safe in order to maximize their profit margin. If an accident occurs when the driver is logging more miles than allowed by law, the trucking company may be held liable. Trucking companies may also be liable for accidents caused by other forms of negligence, such as:- Hiring unqualified drivers who are not properly licensed or have a bad driving record
- Failing to properly train truck drivers before sending them out on long-distance routes
- Failing to follow drug and alcohol screening
- Failing to maintain trucks owned by the trucking company
Parts Manufacturers
Truck accidents may occur because tires blow out, the steering system fails or some other part of a vehicle is defective. The company that manufactured defective parts may be held liable for accidents of this nature. Our legal team can review the vehicle’s maintenance logs and parts recalls to determine if defective auto parts played a role in the accident.Cargo Companies
Separate cargo companies may be responsible for loading cargo on the truck. If the cargo is imbalanced or improperly loaded, the cargo company may be held liable. Cargo companies may be liable in situations involving:- Loose cargo
- Tipping over of the truck due to improper distribution of the cargo’s weight
- Unsecured cargo
- Cargo falling from the back of the truck
