Truck Accidents: Who Is Responsible?

Commercial trucks can cause devastating accidents on the road that threaten not only the well-being of other motorists, but sometimes even their lives. In the aftermath, sometimes legal action is called for, but plaintiffs may face a more nuanced consideration of who is liable in these cases. While it is assumed the driver of the truck is always responsible for these accidents, this is not always the case.

The truth is commercial trucking is a highly regulated industry and drivers, truck owners, and shipping companies alike are held to many stringent standards. When any one of the parties held responsible for these standards fails to adhere to them, people can be put in danger.

The liable parties in a trucking accident claim can include:

• The truck driver
• The trucking company (or shipping company)
• The owner of the truck (or trailer)
• The manufacturer of the truck
• The party that leased the truck

Determining the Negligent Party

Zeroing in on who was responsible for a commercial trucking accident can be difficult and takes careful consideration of many different factors. For instance: is a fatigued driver at fault for not taking proper rest stops, or was he pressured by his shipping company to take too many consecutive shifts or meet unreasonable deadlines?

No one expects the victims of a trucking accident to be able to parse these factors following their accident. Instead, it is the responsibility of their counsel to investigate the details of these incidents and identify who precisely is responsible for any resulting injury. From drug use and improper loading to lax maintenance and improper driver training, experienced and diligent representation should be able to find out what exactly when wrong and who should be held accountable.

At the Law Offices of Craig A. Edmonston, we know what it takes to face these investigative challenges and properly handle a truck accident claim. Our accomplished Bakersfield personal injury attorney has been industry recognized for the work he does on behalf of the injured and consistently recovers the relief our clients deserve.

Your trucking accident deserves to be answered for. Contact our firm today to learn more about your legal options.