Truck accidents are quite complex because they involve a commercial vehicle. In many cases, the driver is not the owner of the vehicle.
In addition, a few other parties may have some liability in the situation. When filing a personal injury claim, you need to ensure that you name all responsible parties.
The driver
The obvious person at fault in the accident is the truck driver. If the accident occurred due to that person’s actions, then he or she most likely holds the majority of liability. However, the driver is often not the only one you can sue.
The employer
The driver is working for a company in almost every case. Sometimes, the rules and regulations of the company lead to issues that increase the chances of an accident, such as requiring drivers to ignore safety rules or to follow unforgiving schedules. The company may also own the truck, which will mean it also holds some liability.
The hiring company
In some cases, a third-party company has hired the driver or the company the driver works for to carry cargo. In this instance, this third party could also hold some liability for the accident.
It is imperative to do your research before filing any claims for a truck accident. You want to be sure you name every potential party who could hold liability for what happened. Furthermore, holding companies responsible can help to change the industry and create more responsible employers and agents and prevent future accidents. Also, companies will usually be able to pay any settlement much better than an individual driver, so you will increase your chances of getting the money due to you.
