Who is at fault in a truck accident?
Truck accidents often involve multiple parties with varying degrees of responsibility, extensive regulations, and significant damages, making legal counsel essential.
Trucking companies are often liable for accidents that occur while drivers are performing job duties. In a few states, if you're found even partially responsible for the accident, you may receive no compensation. Most states follow some form of comparative negligence, where compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
The driver may be held responsible if the accident resulted from: distracted driving, DUI, hours-of-service violations, speeding/reckless driving. The truck employer can be liable due to hiring practices or inadequate background checks, poor training, encouraging drivers to violate hours-of-service regulations, failing to properly maintain the vehicle or poor standards.
If a mechanical failure contributed to the accident, responsibility can fall on manufacturers or maintenance providers. Local or state governments can share responsibility if poor road designs or conditions contributed to the accident.
