Drive on almost any highway in America and it won’t take long before you encounter a semi truck on their way to or from a delivery. These big trucks are the backbone of a number of different industries, but these large vehicles can also cause major damage if they are involved in an accident. If you have been injured or suffered property damage after being involved in a collision with a semi truck, you may be wondering if you have a valid personal injury claim. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at who could be held liable for your accident if you were involved in a collision with a semi truck.
Semi Truck Accident Liability
You may be surprised to learn how many different people and entities can be held liable depending on the facts of your accident. The most obvious party is the semi truck driver. If they were driving recklessly, while under the influence of an illegal substance or simply weren’t paying attention to the road, they could be found negligent and at fault for your accident. However, they aren’t the only party that could be at fault for your accident. Other parties that could be held liable for your accident with a semi truck driver include:
The Trucking Company – The trucking company is responsible for making sure that their vehicles are safe and regularly inspected for any potential issues. If they failed to conduct regular safety checks and part of the vehicle fails, like a blown tire, you may be able to take the trucking company to court.
The Vehicle Manufacturer – If a vehicle defect plays a role in the traffic accident, you and the semi truck driver may be looking to hold the manufacturer liable. If a manufacturing defect led to brake failure or similar equipment failure, your lawyer may take aim at the manufacturer.
Owner/Operator – We talked about going after the driver for issues that occurred on the road, but you can also go after the driver if they are the owner/operator of the vehicle. When the driver is the owner/operator, they assume the responsibility that we talked about in the trucking company section above. Owner/operators must conduct regular vehicle inspections and ensure their ride is safe for the road. If they fail to properly maintain the vehicle, you can collect compensation from the owner/operator.
Cargo Loaders – Cargo needs to be properly secured to the truck, and if the team that loads the product onto the truck fails to do so, cargo can fall off the vehicle and cause major damage. If lost cargo or poorly packaged cargo contributed to your injuries, you may have a case against the team that loaded the vehicle.
As you can see, it’s not always the fault of the semi truck driver, and you may have more compensation options than you realize if you are involved in an accident with a semi truck driver. If you or someone you know has been involved in a collision with a semi truck driver and you are wondering if you have a valid personal injury claim, reach out to Dean and the team at Margolis Law Firm.
Dean specializes in vehicle accident claims, and winning an award against a trucking company can be difficult without a lawyer because the other side likely has a number of professional legal resources on their side. Don’t let the other side take advantage of you because you’ve never been involved in a semi truck injury lawsuit before. Instead, connect with a lawyer who will ensure that you get every penny you deserve from the liable party.
For more information, give Dean and his team a call today at (952) 230-2700.
