Determining the Liable Party in a Commercial Truck Crash

 Posted on November 30, 2022 in Car Accident

Commercial truck crashes often cause devastating damage to property and human life. If you or a loved one were involved in an accident involving a semi-truck or other large commercial truck, you may be looking for answers. Understandably, many victims of motor vehicle accidents want someone to blame. They want the at-fault party to be held accountable for the destruction they have caused.

However, determining who is at-fault for a truck crash is often complex. A skilled truck accident lawyer can evaluate the evidence, determine the liable party or parties, and help you bring a claim for damages.

Liability for a Truck Accident is Often Complicated

Many factors can lead to a serious truck accident. In some cases, multiple parties’ actions lead to the crash. Fault for a truck crash may lie with:

• The truck driver – Operating a massive semi-truck or flatbed is no easy task. It takes skill and attention to drive a truck safely. Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, texting and driving, falling asleep at the wheel, and negligent driving can lead to a crash.

• The trucking company or carrier – Even if the truck driver’s actions ultimately caused a crash, the driver’s employer may ultimately be liable for damages in a truck accident case. The trucking company may also be liable if the company was negligent in the hiring or training of drivers.

• The truck’s owner – The party who owns the truck may be liable if inadequate maintenance or other issues with the truck caused the accident.

• The party who loaded cargo – Commercial trucks are often used to haul freight or cargo. If a truck is not loaded properly, freight can cause the vehicle to be off balance and hard to control. Cargo may shift around in the truck or even fall off the truck, causing a deadly hazard on the road.

• An auto parts manufacturer or designer – Defects in a commercial truck’s braking system, steering system, hydraulics, tires, or other components can cause an accident. The party that designed, manufactured, or sold the defective parts may be fully or partially liable for a truck crash.

• Other motorists on the road – Sometimes a truck crash is fully or partially caused by another motorist. For example, a truck driver may need to slam on the brakes or swerve out of the way because of another driver’s careless or reckless driving.

Contact a Larimer County Truck Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one were involved in a serious truck accident, contact Hoggatt Law Office, P.C. for help. Our Fort Collins personal injury attorneys can gather and preserve evidence, identify the liable party or parties, and help you seek financial compensation for your damages. Call our office today at 970-225-2190 for a free, confidential consultation.

Source:

https://casetext.com/rule/colorado-court-rules/colorado-rules-of-civil-procedure/chapter-5-trials/rule-511-colorado-jury-instructions