When a semi-truck crashes, who is at fault?

The larger the vehicle, the more dangerous it can be in a crash. If you or someone you love has been in a crash involving a large commercial vehicle, you know that they can be catastrophic. Getting the help you need could depend on a personal injury case against the person or company that is liable for the crash. Who can be held liable for trucking accidents?

The driver

Truckers are supposed to properly control their vehicles, but driver error can put you in danger. Drivers can easily become distracted by electronic devices that they use to do their jobs, including cell phones and GPS devices. They can also be distracted by eating in the cab, looking at billboards and scenery or even daydreaming.

Distracted drivers are not the only danger, though. Drivers work long hours, and this can put you in danger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has found that driving for more than 8 hours can double the likelihood of a crash.

The company

Issues with the companies that own large commercial vehicles can also contribute to accidents. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that pressure from the carrier was involved in one in every ten trucking accidents. Drivers may feel pressured to work long hours or drive at higher speeds to meet deadlines.

Companies can contribute to accidents in other ways, too. They might not train drivers well, resulting in drivers who do not have the skill they need to control the vehicle. They might not maintain their vehicles properly, causing tires and other vehicle parts to wear out and potentially fail while the truck is on the road.

The manufacturer

Just like in the cars or trucks that we drive, faulty parts can be a cause of trucking accidents. Manufacturer defects in large commercial vehicles, though, can have even more catastrophic consequences. Brake defects are common, and issues with the brakes are involved in more than one third of trucking accidents according to the IIHS.

These aren’t the only ways that defective equipment can cause a crash. Headlight failures can make it difficult for truck drivers to see properly. Steering defects can make it difficult to control a vehicle. Issues with trailers can cause a truck’s load to become unbalanced or unattached from the cab.

If you have been hurt by a trucking accident, it is important to hold companies and drivers responsible so that you can get the help you need to recover.