Trucking companies generally share a portion of the liability in truck accident cases. Although individual drivers are responsible as well, the negligence of their employers can contribute to significant damages.
Trucking companies have a duty to regulate their drivers’ hours, conduct regular maintenance, hire skilled drivers, train new employees, and adhere to legal regulations. Any negligence in completing these responsibilities can cause truck accidents and be evidence of the trucking company’s liability.
In some truck accident cases, third parties are liable. For example, a vehicle manufacturer can be liable for designing and manufacturing a defective vehicle or part of a vehicle. An entity responsible for investigating the safety of a trucking operation could be liable for failing to identify any risks. If an accident is caused by road conditions, those who design and repair the roads could be liable.