A commercial truck accident can be more complicated than a typical car accident because several different people or companies may potentially be responsible. The truck driver may have caused the crash, but liability can also involve the trucking company, a vehicle owner, a maintenance provider, or another party. If you have been injured, speaking with a truck accident lawyer can help you understand who may be responsible and what evidence could support your claim.
Determining liability usually requires a close look at what happened before, during, and after the collision. Driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, company practices, and the circumstances surrounding the crash can all become important when establishing who was at fault.
Can the Truck Driver Be Held Responsible?
Yes. A truck driver can potentially be held responsible when their negligence causes an accident. Examples could include speeding, distracted driving, following too closely, driving while impaired, or failing to account for road and weather conditions.
Commercial truck drivers also have responsibilities for operating large, heavy vehicles safely. Evidence such as the police report, witness statements, photographs, and available vehicle or driver records may help establish what happened.
Can the Trucking Company Be Held Responsible?
In some circumstances, yes. A trucking company may be responsible for an employee’s actions that cause an accident while the employee is acting within the scope of employment.
A company may also potentially face separate claims based on its own conduct. Tennessee courts recognize claims involving negligent hiring, supervision, or retention when the necessary elements can be established, including circumstances involving an employer’s knowledge of an employee’s unfitness.
Can a Truck Owner Be Responsible for an Accident?
The truck’s owner may be a different person or company from the trucking company operating it. Whether the owner can be held responsible depends on the circumstances and the legal relationship between the parties.
For example, questions about who owned the vehicle, who controlled its operation, and who was responsible for maintaining it may become relevant when determining liability.
Can a Trucking Company Be Responsible for Poor Maintenance?
Potentially. Commercial trucks require regular inspection and maintenance, and mechanical problems can contribute to serious collisions.
If a crash involved failed brakes, worn tires, defective steering components, or another mechanical issue, investigators may need to determine whether inadequate maintenance contributed. Maintenance records, inspection records, and other evidence may become important in establishing what happened.
Can a Maintenance Company Be Held Responsible?
Possibly. If a trucking company relies on an outside business to inspect, repair, or maintain its vehicles, that company could be responsible if negligent work contributed to the accident.
Determining whether another business is liable requires reviewing the work it performed, the vehicle’s condition, and whether the alleged failure contributed to the crash.
What If a Defective Truck Part Caused the Crash?
A manufacturer or another company that supplied a defective component may be responsible if the defective product contributed to the accident.
These cases can require detailed investigation because you may need to establish what part failed, why it failed, and whether the failure contributed to the collision. Preserving the truck and relevant evidence can therefore be particularly important after a serious crash.
What If More Than One Person or Company Was at Fault?
Responsibility can involve more than one party. Tennessee follows a modified comparative fault system, meaning the allocation of fault can affect the amount a plaintiff may recover.
That makes it important to identify all potentially responsible parties. An investigation should not stop once the truck driver is identified as having contributed to the collision.
What Evidence Can Help Establish Responsibility?
Evidence can help show how the accident happened and who may have contributed to it. Depending on the circumstances, this could include:
- The police or crash report.
- Photographs and video from the scene.
- Witness statements.
- Truck maintenance and inspection records.
- Driver logs and other relevant records.
- Electronic data from the vehicle.
- Medical records documenting injuries.
- Evidence concerning the trucking company’s policies or practices.
Preserving evidence promptly can be especially important in a commercial truck accident because some records may be maintained electronically or for limited periods.
When Should You Speak with a Truck Accident Lawyer?
If you suffered significant injuries in a commercial truck accident, it can help to seek legal advice before assuming who is responsible. Commercial trucking cases can involve multiple parties, insurance companies, and different sources of evidence.
A lawyer can review the collision circumstances, identify potentially responsible parties, and explain your legal options based on the facts of your case.
How Reasonover Law Can Help After a Truck Accident
A commercial truck accident can leave you dealing with serious injuries while trying to understand what caused the collision and who should be held accountable. Reasonover Law can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident, identify potentially responsible parties, and help you understand your options for pursuing compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident in Tennessee, contact us today to discuss your situation and learn what steps may be available to you.