Understanding Truck Owner Liability: Who is at Fault in a Truck Accident?

Truck crashes can be some of the most devastating and catastrophic accidents a person can endure.

Whether you were hit by a relatively small pickup truck, or monstrous eighteen-wheeler, you were completely outmatched if you were in a passenger car at the time. And if you were a pedestrian, the odds are you suffered even greater harm.

You may have serious, long-term injuries, a damaged or unusable vehicle, time and money lost from work, and physical and emotional suffering. The question is who is at fault in a truck accident? And, just as importantly, who will pay the damages for what you went through?

Truck accidents: the liability may be broad

There is no clear cut answer when it comes to truck accident liability (a.k.a. legal responsibility). The truth is, the blame may be shared across several different parties or organizations. Let’s take a look at a few examples:

The driver. One of the chief culprits to look at in trucking accidents in Tampa (or truck accidents elsewhere in Florida) is the driver. It’s possible the person who hit you was drunk, on illegal or prescription medication, tired, distracted, unlicensed, or had numerous citations but was still on the road.

The trucking company (if one was involved). There are numerous laws trucking companies are supposed to follow involving the care of their vehicles, the types of drivers they hire, and the rules those drivers must follow.

For instance, drivers are legally mandated to take regular rest breaks so that they don’t become overtired and get drowsy or fall asleep at the wheel. However, in their never-ending quest to make more money in less time, trucking companies often have drivers skip these crucial breaks in order to speed up their delivery rates or to avoid hiring more drivers.

The maintenance crew. Whether it’s a single mechanic or group of them, shoddy or incomplete truck maintenance is often to blame for accidents. If trucks don’t undergo regular maintenance or repairs and they go undone, it is only a matter of time before a serious accident results.

Talk to our Clearwater truck accident lawyers as soon as possible

If you have a case surrounding truck owner liability, our Florida truck accident lawyers may be able to help. The staff of Abrahamson & Uiterwyk is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, and can be reached at 1-800-538-4878. Call us today for a free evaluation of your case.