Whether a truck driver or a trucking company is at fault for a crash depends on the specific facts of the situation. Liability is determined based on the legal criteria and how much the driver or company contributed to the crash. In some cases, government agencies and independent contractors may also be held responsible. Generally, however, the driver is deemed “at fault” in a truck accident, but the insurance company can also be found responsible.
Is the truck driver or the truck company responsible for a truck accident?
Whether a truck driver or a trucking company is liable for a truck accident
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, you’ve likely questioned who is responsible for the crash. While trucking laws vary from state to state, it is generally the company, and not the driver, that is ultimately responsible for the accident. Moreover, truck insurance policies often ask questions about who owns the truck and who owns the trucking company. As a result, it is important to know which parties are responsible for the accident to determine who’s liable.
The law differs between states and often depends on the type of insurance policy the trucking company has. If the truck driver was working outside the scope of their employment, they may be liable for the accident. In other cases, the trucking company is responsible for the damages. In many cases, the truck driver’s insurance policy covers the other driver’s medical expenses and property damage.
Legal criteria for determining liability
There are two basic legal criteria to determine liability in a truck accident. The first is whether the trucking company is at fault, or if it was a mechanical failure. While some accidents occur due to faulty brakes, steering, or tires, the manufacturer of the truck may also be liable. The trucking company must have reasonable maintenance standards, and failing to maintain a vehicle that is not safe can result in liability.
Liability in commercial truck accidents is complex, but it can be established by examining the driver’s negligence. In addition to negligence, driver error can cause truck accidents. If the truck driver was distracted or driving under the influence, he or she may be responsible for the crash. A trucking company can also be liable for failing to inspect or repair a vehicle or part. In some cases, the driver or the trucking company may have no fault at all.
Liability of government agencies
You can seek compensation from a government agency if you have been injured in a truck accident caused by its negligence. These cases are often more difficult to pursue, but it’s still possible to bring a claim if you believe that the government agency is to blame. In Pennsylvania, you can bring a case against the owner of a government car if it causes an accident. The owner of the car could be the City or Department of Transportation.
Another party that might be held responsible for the accident is the truck manufacturer. If a vehicle was defectively designed, the manufacturer could be held liable for a truck accident. The manufacturer of a truck may also be responsible for any mechanical problems. Similarly, government agencies may be liable if roads are poorly maintained. In addition, they may also be responsible for construction zones. Liability of government agencies for truck accidents varies widely from state to state.
Liability of independent contractors
A company’s logo may be held partially or fully liable in a truck accident, even if the driver is acting negligently. Until recently, trucking companies could deny liability by arguing that the independent contractor was not under the company’s direct control. But more courts are recognising respondeat superior as a valid defense against negligence. Independent contractors are not included in respondeat superior expectations. As such, the party hiring the independent contractor cannot be held partially or fully liable.
However, independent contractors have many different legal ramifications for truck accidents. First, trucking companies hire drivers as independent contractors to avoid liability. This is because independent contractors are not covered by the doctrine of respondeat superior, which only applies to employment situations. But independent contractors still face liability as employees through their liability insurance carrier, so a trucking company can be held responsible for the negligence of an independent contractor.
