Proving negligence is the core of a truck accident case. When a truck accident occurs, victims have the right to get favorable compensation for damages such as lost wages, medical expenses incurred, and property damage, among others. This is because the aftermath of truck accidents is always devastating and often life-altering. With the help of an experienced attorney, plaintiffs can file a truck accident claim to seek compensation from the liable party. This article explores the different parties that can contribute to truck accidents and, therefore, bear the liability.
- Truck Driver
The primary party that can contribute to truck accidents is the truck driver(s). There are several factors that could lead to truck accidents, making drivers liable. These include:
- Fatigue as a result of long hours on the road
- Distraction
- Negligence of some basic regulations
Despite stringent regulations and training programs, human error remains a leading cause of accidents. Key among the human errors that lead to accidents are:
- Reckless driving
- impaired judgment
Therefore, the actions of truck drivers play a pivotal role in the occurrence of accidents.
- Trucking Companies
Truck companies can contribute to the occurrence of accidents in two major ways. First, these companies normally subject drivers to tight schedules and profit margins, hence exerting pressure on drivers to meet deadlines. Consequently, drivers end up violating the regulations on driving hours, which leads to fatigue. Second, truck companies often fail to maintain the vehicles as part of their measures to cut costs. This is one of the causes of mechanical failures on the road, which further escalates the risk of truck accidents.
- Truck Manufacturers
The manufacturers of trucks and their components also have a responsibility for truck accidents. This may be in the form of the following:
- Defective parts
- Truck design flaws
For instance, drivers may follow all the safety protocols, but defective parts or design flaws in trucks can lead to malfunctions and eventually cause an accident. For example, faulty brakes or defective tires can turn a routine journey into a catastrophic event.
- Shippers and Loaders
Although commonly overlooked when establishing the liable parties in a truck accident, the role of shippers and loads is not negligible. When loading cargo that exceeds the stated weight of the truck, the truck is destabilized. This, in turn, increases the likelihood of rollovers or loss of control, which are among the common causes of truck accidents. In addition to this, spillage on roads due to failure to secure the cargo properly poses hazards to other road users, hence increasing the risk of accidents.
- Authorities Responsible for Constructing and Maintaining Roads
Road infrastructure has a considerable impact on the occurrence of truck accidents. Some of the aspects related to road infrastructure that can contribute to accidents include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Poorly designed roads, including sharp curves
- Inadequate signage, including poorly marked construction zones
- Lack of maintenance: leaving the roads in hazardous conditions
Considering the large size of trucks, any error in the construction and maintenance of the roads can be catastrophic.
Conclusion
Different parties have different contributions in causing truck accidents. Truck drivers are the most common party responsible for truck accidents. Human behaviors such as reckless driving and impaired judgment top the list of ways in which drivers can contribute to accidents. In addition to this, fatigue resulting from long driving hours, distraction, and drivers’ negligence of some regulations also contribute significantly to accidents. In addition to drivers, truck companies, truck manufacturers, authorities responsible for constructing and maintaining roads, and loaders/shippers are also parties that contribute to truck accidents. Therefore, in your truck accident claim, there is a need for your attorney to exhaustively look at all these potential liable parties.
