It can be a bit of a challenge to ascertain liability for a truck accident primarily because the driver isn’t the only guilty party. Several other individuals and organizations have to bear the responsibility of an accident. If you sustain injuries in a truck crash incident, you can avail the benefits a Truck Accident Lawyer has to offer. Trained and experienced attorneys know how to investigate an event like this. They can also pinpoint the liable person. Upon determining liability, it will be possible for the solicitor to pursue the compensation you deserve. This write-up will attempt to elucidate how it works.
Table of Contents
1.Drivers
Understandably, the driver sitting behind the steering wheel of an 18-wheeler is responsible for the vehicle, whether empty or loaded. Usually, these people have to work a lot, and they remain tired almost all the time. After all, they have to cover thousands of miles every week to meet deadlines. Naturally, they don’t get enough time to rest. Additionally, they remain under an excruciating amount of pressure from their employers. It often makes them violate the hours of service regulation, which, in turn, enforces limitations on the number of hours they can drive every week. Weary drivers are much more likely to engage in hazardous driving behaviors and prone to mistakes. They often end up turning a blind eye to traffic signals, over-speeding, abusing drugs to stay awake at night, failing to get medical attention, and driving distractedly.
2.Cargo and Loading Companies
Trucking companies often consider outsourcing the tasks of loading cargo to loading companies. Therefore, these third parties become responsible for loading the vehicles securely and also verifying the cargo against the supplier’s manifest. The process may sound simple enough, but the employees of the loading firm in question may trifle with their duty to load the trucks appropriately. In the end, the trailer starts rolling down the road in an unbalanced condition. It increases the chances of a roll-over accident that occurs when both the cab and its trailer tip over. If the accident is a result of an inappropriately loaded trailer, the victim may hold the cargo company accountable for injuries sustained.
3.Trucking companies
Every trucking company, according to the norms enforced by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has to hire qualified drivers and prepare them to drive while adhering to the state and federal regulations. Drug and alcohol testing requirements are also in place, apart from service hour regulations. It’s perfectly possible to hold a trucking company responsible if one of its drivers caused an accident due to inexperience, drug use, lack of adequate qualifications, or violating the service hour regulations.
4.Manufacturers of Vehicles and Parts:
Defective parts often enter the manufacturing process at the plants in charge of assembling trucks. These defective parts may include brake systems, tires, and transmissions. They may cause problems when the vehicle is on the road, specifically at high speeds. Sooner rather than later, drivers lose control of their vehicles and put everyone else on the road at risk.
Endnote
If there’s an accident involving an 18-wheeler, the driver has to take responsibility. Then again, trucking companies, manufacturers of parts, and third-party outsourced loaders can also be at fault. So, if you got involved in a truck accident recently, you should resort to the services of a Truck Accident Lawyer. These people can help you get justice and rightful compensation.