Many semi-truck collisions occur due to driver errors. Truck drivers sometimes maintain unnecessarily high speeds. They may get too close to other vehicles, or they may fail to monitor their blind spots. Such incidents account for more than half of semi-truck crashes.
However, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also identifies vehicle issues as a priority safety concern. Approximately 10% of collisions caused by commercial trucks occur due to issues with the vehicle rather than driver mistakes or surveillance issues. So who is to blame when vehicle problems cause these crashes?
Companies are often liable for vehicle failures
There are multiple parties that could be liable for a semi-truck crash when vehicle issues cause the wreck. The transportation company that owns the truck could be to blame if inadequate maintenance is the underlying cause of the crash. If the driver is an owner-operator who delayed maintenance and repairs, they may have personal liability for the collision.
Other times, third-party service providers might be liable. They may have failed to note issues with the vehicle during a recent inspection or made mistakes during repair services. Component manufacturers could also be at fault if defective components cause the collision. Sometimes, the clients who hired the transportation company might be liable if they improperly loaded the trailer or failed to make appropriate disclosures about key details, such as liquid contents in the trailer.
Determining who is at fault and potentially liable is the first step toward getting economic justice after a semi-truck collision. Having experienced legal guidance can help with these often-complex cases..