Who May Be Liable for Damages after a Commercial Truck Crash?

In 2014, there were 3,978 buses and large trucks involved in fatal collisions, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The vast majority of these accidents were caused by driver errors such as speeding, tailgating, or drunk driving.

Due to their herculean size and weight, 18-wheelers can cause serious injuries and fatalities even in slow-speed collisions. Victims who are lucky enough to survive often face an uphill climb to recovery, and medical bills and lost income can cost a veritable fortune.

If you were injured by a negligent truck driver in Texas, you may be entitled to compensation to pay for these losses. N. Eric Cooper is a Tyler personal injury attorney who will evaluate your case to determine if you have grounds for a claim. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule a consultation at the Cooper Law Firm.

Who May Be Liable for Damages after a Commercial Truck Collision?

In order to file a personal injury lawsuit, you must name the liable party as the defendant. Determining who is actually liable for the collision is often challenging because in many cases, multiple parties are responsible. Possible liable parties include:

• The truck driver;
• The transportation company that employs the driver;
• The truck manufacturer;
• The truck maintenance company;
• The cargo loading company; and
• The city that was responsible for maintaining the road where the collision occurred.

Although driver error contributes to most truck accidents, that does not necessarily mean that the driver is always liable. Sometimes, the truck driver shares responsibility for the collision with additional parties; in other cases, the truck driver is not liable at all.

For example, if the trucking company employs unqualified drivers, fails to implement safe driving practices, or fails to maintain their vehicles, the company might shoulder a significant portion of the liability for any collisions that result. If the trucking company maintains its equipment but some parts are defective, the company that manufactured the parts may be liable for damages.

Overloading is another common cause of truck accidents. In these cases, the cargo company is often liable for damages.

Sometimes, the city can partially liable for a truck accident; however, pursing a lawsuit against a government entity is particularly challenging, and there are more restrictions and shorter deadlines for doing so.

If you sustained serious injuries in a truck accident and you would like to file a personal injury claim, contact the Cooper Law Firm. Attorney N. Eric Cooper will evaluate your case, identify all liable parties, calculate your damages, and help you fight for the maximum compensation.

Mr. Cooper is a member of the Texas Trial Lawyers Association and the Gregg County Bar Association. Call 903-297-0037 to schedule an initial consultation with a Tyler personal injury attorney. Visit USAttorneys.com to learn more about truck accident injury claims in Texas.