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Most victims of a trucking accident tend to feel that the truck’s driver should be held liable. That is not always the case. The suspected liability of the driver would prove to be correct, if the same driver’s negligence had been the only reason for the victim’s injuries.
Other parties to consider, when trying to point a finger at the liable party
The truck’s owner: Only a few drivers are contractors. Each of those contractors owns the truck that he or she drives, in order to transport a load of cargo.
The driver’s employer: Someone that owns or leases trucks and hires drivers is supposed to train each of those hired employees. If poor training had caused a given accident, then the employer could be held liable for the reported injuries. Employers also set their drivers’ hours. If those same drivers were asked to spend too much time sitting behind the steering wheel, then that expectation could become proof of an employer’s negligence.
The driver’s client: Contractors are supposed to meet the demands of their clients. Still, a client might not provide the contractor with clear or reasonable directions. If confusing or unreasonable directions had caused a given accident, then the client could be held liable for the reported injuries.
The maker of one or more of the parts that had been placed in the truck, before it left the factory, or during the time when it was in a repair shop: Had that part failed to function properly? Had it been installed incorrectly? The answers to those two questions might point to the manufacturer’s or the shop owner’s liability as per personal injury lawyer in Sudbury.
The shipper: A company with a shipment could hire a shipper to place the selected items in the truck. Alternately, it could ask the driver to load the items that must be transported. Poor loading by a shipper could cause an accident. Poor loading practices by a driver that had not received an adequate level of instruction could also cause an accident.
Situations in which a governmental body might be held accountable for the accident and the related injuries
There are questions about the engineer hired by the government, in order to design the road on which the truck had been traveling: Was the slope too steep? Was the curve designed in a way that forced the truck to have too much torque?
There are questions about the area where trucks were allowed to pull over, if the truck’s brakes failed, while it was headed downhill: Was that same area properly lighted at night? Could a driver in a fast-moving truck easily spot the sign(s) that could direct him or her to that important area?