A truck crash can leave you dealing with serious injuries, expensive medical care and time away from work. When a commercial truck causes the crash, the driver may not be the only party responsible. In some cases, the trucking company may also face liability for the driver’s actions.
Virginia law allows injured people to seek compensation from parties whose negligence caused their injuries. Whether a trucking company shares responsibility depends on factors such as the driver’s job status and what the driver was doing when the crash occurred.
When a trucking company may be responsible
A trucking company may face liability when its employee causes a crash while performing work duties. This can include situations where a truck driver causes a collision while making deliveries or traveling along a required route.
The company also may face separate claims when its own conduct contributed to the crash. For example, problems involving hiring, training or supervision may raise questions about whether the company acted reasonably.
Several factors can affect whether the company may share responsibility, including:
- Whether the driver worked as an employee or independent contractor
- Whether the driver performed job duties when the crash occurred
- Whether the company knew about safety concerns involving the driver
- Whether company policies or practices contributed to the collision
Reviewing these details can help identify which parties may have legal responsibility for your injuries.
What this means after a truck crash
Liability can be more complex when more than one party may have caused the crash. For example, a trucking company may argue that the driver was not working for the company at the time. The company may also argue that the driver was an independent contractor.
Evidence such as driver records, employment records, company policies and crash reports can help show what happened. Legal assistance can also help you review this evidence and determine whether the trucking company may share responsibility for your injuries.
The driver may not be the only responsible party
A truck crash does not always end with the driver’s responsibility. When company decisions or work-related duties contributed to your injuries, the trucking company may also become part of the legal claim. Examining the full circumstances can help you identify every potentially responsible party.
