What You Should Know About Liability After a Trucking Accident

By Car Accident Help on June 14, 2017 | Posted in: Truck Collision

Much like any other type of auto accident, a trucking accident is often caused by some mistake or error on the part of a person. Exactly who is responsible and just how much blame they deserve really comes down to the particular details of any given crash. In general, however, there are certain liability considerations you might want to have in mind if you have been involved in an Oklahoma trucking accident.

Who’s to Blame in a Trucking Accident?

One of the biggest differences between trucking accidents and other collisions is that many more people may be potentially liable for this type of crash. Commercial trucks are owned by companies that tend to have fleets of vehicles needing to be properly maintained, which are operated by drivers who must be adequately trained and prepared for long-term truck driving. This introduces a number of possible people who can be held liable in a trucking accident.

Truck Drivers are typically the first people looked at after a crash, and in many cases they are the ones responsible, since they were directly controlling the truck. Driving too fast, going too long without a rest, and operating the truck in an unsafe manner are all ways that a truck driver can be at fault for an accident. There are numerous regulations in place to keep truck drivers safe, but these are not always followed properly.

Trucking Companies that employ the drivers may be in some way liable for any collisions that occur. For example, if the crash occurred due to failing brakes, which were not properly maintained by the company, then their liability might be provable. Even in situations where the driver is at fault, the company may have failed to properly prepare that driver for operating the vehicle and therefore shares liability.

Parts Manufacturers—even the manufacturer of the entire truck—might be liable for serious collisions. These situations are quite rare, and difficult to prove, but not unknown. Brakes that fail due to improper manufacturing can be grounds for liability and may even prompt a recall of the equipment.

Other Drivers not directly involved in a collision can still be held responsible, if they drove in an erratic manner that caused the truck driver to lose control of the larger vehicle.

Oklahoma truck accidents can be quite complicated, which is why you should call Car Accident Help at (405) 285-4357 if you have more truck accident questions.