February 23, 2017
Is a Trucking Company Liable for My Truck Accident?
Whether a truck company is liable for a trucking wreck will depend on the exact causes of the crash.
While a lawyer at McLaughlin Law Firm, P.C. can go over the facts of your case and provide you with a precise answer regarding liability (and all of the at-fault parties), below, we’ve shared some of the top ways that trucking companies contribute to – and can be liable for – truck crashes.
Trucking Company Liability for Crashes
In general, a trucking company can be held responsible for a wreck whenever its failures to abide by any state or federal safety regulation contribute to that crash. Specifically, these failures can come in the form of:
- Not doing background checks on drivers before hiring them – If trucking companies don’t thoroughly investigate the professional history and driving records of prospective drivers, they risk hiring truckers who aren’t qualified or certified to operate commercial vehicles. This failure can also result in hiring truckers with alcohol or drug problems with a history of violating traffic laws (and/or trucking regulations), and/or with a history of causing trucking wrecks.
- Not properly training drivers – Trucking companies are also responsible for making sure their drivers have been trained to safely handle commercial vehicles (including in adverse conditions) and to properly handle any loads they’re carrying (which can be particularly important if the load is hazardous, toxic or flammable material). Putting untrained truckers on the road can result in liability for the trucking company if (or, more likely, when) these drivers cause accidents.
- Not inspecting or maintaining the trucks in their fleet – Trucking companies must regularly inspect all of the commercial vehicles in their fleet and repair any safety issues with these vehicles. Failure to maintain trucks can lead to dangerous equipment failures, increasing the risk of crashes.
- Pressuring (or incentivizing) drivers to violate trucking regulations – This can come in the form of setting unrealistic delivery schedules for drivers, offering bonuses for early deliveries and/or having policies that encourage (or maybe even require) drivers to alter their log books, cut corners, etc. If trucking companies do not take the necessary steps to comply with any state and/or federal trucking regulation – or they fail to ensure their drivers are in compliance, they can (again) be liable for any crashes resulting from their violation(s).
Of course, there are various other ways that commercial carriers can play a role in causing truck accidents – and it’s not always apparent, in the immediate aftermath of a truck wreck, if or whether a commercial carrier’s negligent may have been a causal factor.
That’s why it’s crucial for truck accident victims to retain an experienced lawyer who can investigate the causes and point out all liable parties for the crash. This insight can make a big difference in victims’ financial (and overall) recoveries.
Contact a Denver Truck Accident Lawyer at McLaughlin Law Firm, P.C.
Have you or a loved one been injured in a truck accident? If so, a Denver truck accident lawyer at McLaughlin Law Firm, P.C. is ready to meet with you to discuss your situation and legal options.
With more than 35 years of combined legal experience, our Denver truck accident attorneys are skilled at protecting accident victims and helping them secure the highest possible recoveries for their injuries and losses.
Learn more about your rights and get a thorough, professional evaluation of your case by meeting with us for a free, no obligations initial consult.
To set up this meeting today, call us at (720) 420-9800 or email us using the form on this page.
