Truck accidents are growing in number. It could be because so many more vehicles traveling throughout our communities have increased the risk of being in an accident with a truck. For those facing these types of risks, it is critical to have an attorney available to help you determine who is liable.
Liability in a truck accident in Tennessee depends on the circumstances. Every case is very different, which is why you must know what your rights are. Call a Mount Juliet truck accident lawyer at The Law Offices of Christopher Eads, PLLC, today.
Truck drivers are often liable in situations where they are distracted or intoxicated. A reckless truck driver is likely to put others at risk as well. Truck drivers are responsible for staying focused on the traffic around them, following all laws, and keeping logs of their trips.
In many situations, a truck driver will be responsible. However, other parties may also be responsible alongside (or in some cases instead of) the truck driver. These are more complicated cases but may include any of the following incidents.
There are some situations in which the trucking company is liable for the accidents caused by their drivers. This may occur, for example, if they are pushing their driver to work too many hours in a row or beyond the requirements and limitations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. They are also responsible for ensuring their employees operate safe vehicles and have the proper licenses and operating requirements.
They must comply with all federal regulations for maintaining the vehicle as well. This includes some of the most common causes of failures, such as tires, brakes, and other components.
Another instance in which someone other than the truck driver may be responsible is the loading company. If the loading company does not meet safety standards and best practices, and the mistakes they make cause an accident or the material itself falls off the truck, the loading company could be responsible for the losses that occurred.
There are many instances in which truck manufacturers and specific part manufacturers are liable for the losses caused by their defective or unsafe products and materials. A trucking company that does not properly test equipment or ensure safety could put many others at risk. Defective product workmanship, as well as product design, maybe their responsibility.
With so many trucking companies having complex structures in terms of ownership and employment, it is not always easy for you, the victim, to know who is at fault for what happened to you. That is why it is so important for you to have an attorney in place to help you gather evidence to prove what occurred. Because of the complexity of gathering information, it is often beneficial to work with an attorney.
