Can More Than One Party Be Liable for My Truck Accident?

Can more than one party be liable for a truck accident? There are some circumstances where more than one party may be liable for your truck accident. 

To determine if there are multiple people at fault for your collision, contact our highly skilled Duluth truck accident lawyer today.

Examples of Who May Be Responsible for Your Truck Accident

More than one party may be liable for the truck accident injuries and losses you have, and it is up to your truck accident attorney to find out who is responsible and why. Through investigation into your case, your attorney will help you develop evidence that demonstrates each party that could be held accountable for your losses. Some examples of liable parties in truck accidents include:

• The truck driver: The driver behind the wheel holds responsibility to some degree in many situations. This includes if the driver is engaging in reckless behavior, such as speeding, illegal lane changes, or following too close, as well as if the driver is tired, impaired, or otherwise violating traffic laws.
• Trucking company: The trucking company owns the truck. They may be liable for the truck driver’s actions in situations where they do not ensure the driver meets all federal and state requirements or if they did not maintain the truck, and that caused the accident. Additionally, if a company pushes the driver to work beyond when it is safe, they could be held liable.
• Vehicle manufacturer: The vehicle manufacturer, if there is some design flaw or manufacturing defect that leads to the accident, such as tires that fail or the design of the truck poses a safety risk.
• Technicians: In some cases, accidents happen for preventable reasons, such as a maintenance team failing to complete an inspection or tightening the tire. The maintenance providers could be held accountable for your losses if this caused the accident.
• Cargo companies: Many truck companies use third-party cargo companies to load their trailers, often before the driver even arrives. If this happens, and the cargo becomes loose, causing the driver to lose control over the vehicle, that can lead to serious injuries and accidents.
• Governments: There are times when it may be necessary to hold a local or state government accountable for your injuries if their lack of upkeep on roadways, lack of lighting, poor signage, or other flaws directly cause the accident.
• Other drivers: There are times when a third-party driver on the road with you and the truck could cause the truck to lose control, such as in a chain reaction accident. That driver could be held accountable.

In many cases, multiple parties could be liable for a truck accident, such as the trucking company for failing to ensure the truck driver is taking their required breaks and time off and the truck driver for not taking those breaks. 

The cargo company and the technicians could be responsible if both played a role in your accident. With the guidance of your Duluth personal injury lawyer, you will be able to build a strong case that outlines all of your losses across all parties.

Truck Accidents Are Complicated Legal Matters

In 2021, 222 people died in truck accidents in Georgia, according to the report Large Truck – Georgia Traffic Safety Facts, from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety. Thousands of other people suffered serious injuries. Yet, numerous factors can make these cases more complicated, including the fact that more than one person may be liable for your truck accident losses.

Trucks are heavy vehicles carrying as much as 80,000 pounds with massive force behind them. When they strike a passenger car, motorcycle, or pedestrian, the potential for serious injury is incredible. More so, these accidents are complex because determining fault can be more challenging.

Truck drivers and the companies behind them must meet specific laws and regulations. Other parties within the trucking industry also must take every step they can to ensure the safety of their vehicles. When any of these parties fail at their responsibilities, they could be held liable for what those mistakes cause to you in an accident.

What an Attorney Will Do to Build Your Truck Accident Claim

With so many potential parties who could be liable for a truck accident, it can be instantly overwhelming to know that all of the burden of proof falls on your shoulders. That means you need to investigate all aspects of the accident to find out what happened. While many trucking accidents receive federal or state oversight, you still must navigate the claim process with your attorney, who can help you with:

• Securing evidence from the commercial truck’s black box that could shed light on what occurred to cause the accident
• Medical reports indicating the intoxication of the driver
• Maintenance longs that demonstrate failures or inconsistencies
• Video evidence that shows the truck lost control due to cargo loss
• Accident reconstruction was built with evidence from the scene of the accident to demonstrate what took place
• Statements from witnesses within each of these organizations
• Claims filed by other truck accident victims for similar equipment failures

Gathering this data requires careful guidance and knowledge since there are so many factors at play, but you do not have to navigate this on your own. 

With the guidance of your Duluth 18-wheeler truck accident lawyer, you will work to rebuild the accident, looking for all factors that show what had to have happened for you to suffer the losses you have. This makes it possible to seek compensation from any party that you can demonstrate played a role in your accident.

Let a Truck Accident Attorney Guide You in Recovering Fair Compensation

You can hold as many people as you like accountable for your accident if you can demonstrate their role in the process. By working with the legal team at Slam Dunk Attorney, our team brings the resources necessary to uncover the truth. 

Set up a free consultation today to learn more about how more than one party can be liable for your truck accident.