Who Can You Sue after a Commercial Truck Accident?
Who Can You Sue after a Commercial Truck Accident?
Commercial truck accidents leave people with serious injuries, unexpected medical bills, and a whole lot of questions about who is actually responsible. If you are trying to sort through all of that, you are not alone. At
Dogan & Dogan, our team regularly helps people understand their options after a crash involving a semi-truck, delivery truck, tractor-trailer, or other commercial vehicle. Knowing who you can sue is one of the first steps toward recovering compensation for everything you have lost.
Commercial truck accidents are rarely simple. More than one party can share fault, and every case depends on the specific evidence. That is why getting legal guidance early can make your life much easier. Now, let’s break down the potential parties who may be on the hook.
The Truck Driver
The most obvious party is the truck driver. If the driver was speeding, texting, driving under the influence, overly fatigued, or ignoring safety rules, they may be personally responsible for the harm caused. Truckers are required to follow strict federal and state safety standards, including hours-of-service regulations meant to prevent fatigued driving. When a driver breaks these rules, the consequences can be devastating.
Many people are surprised to learn that a truck driver can still be responsible even if the crash was partly caused by the vehicle or their employer’s policies. Liability often overlaps in these cases, and identifying every contributing factor is key.
The Trucking Company
In many cases, the trucking company itself is liable. Companies can be held responsible for a truck driver’s negligence under a legal concept called “vicarious liability,” which holds an employer responsible for an employee's actions within the scope of their job. But beyond that, trucking companies often make decisions that directly put others in danger.
Some of the most common ways a trucking company may be liable include pressuring drivers to meet unrealistic deadlines, failing to train their drivers, ignoring background checks, skipping maintenance, or cutting corners on safety. A company might also be responsible for unsafe policies that encourage drivers to stay on the road when they should be resting.
The Truck’s Owner
Not every trucking company owns the vehicles its drivers operate. Many trucks are leased or owned by another business or individual. When that happens, the owner may be responsible for maintenance issues, mechanical failures, or worn-down parts that contributed to the crash. If the owner neglected routine inspections or ignored warnings about brake or tire problems, they may be liable.
The Cargo Loading Company
Cargo loading shows up in more cases than most people expect. Commercial trucks must be loaded carefully and within specific weight limits. If cargo is too heavy, stacked unevenly, improperly secured, or not checked before the truck leaves, it can shift during transport. That shift can cause the driver to lose control, tip, or jackknife.
If an outside company handled the cargo, that company may share responsibility for the accident. Determining this often requires reviewing loading logs, bills of lading, and inspection reports.
Maintenance or Repair Contractors
Commercial trucks put on thousands of miles each month. Proper maintenance is more than recommended; it is required. Many trucking companies rely on third-party mechanics or repair shops to handle inspections, brake replacements, tire rotations, and significant repairs.
When those contractors cut corners, overlook a dangerous mechanical defect, or perform faulty repairs, they may be held liable. Mechanical issues such as brake failures, tire blowouts, steering problems, suspension failures, and engine malfunctions are well-known causes of truck accidents and must be considered early in any investigation.
The Manufacturer of the Truck or Parts
Sometimes a crash has nothing to do with the driver, trucking company, or maintenance provider. Instead, a defective part can fail without warning. Defective tires, faulty brake components, electrical problems, steering defects, or trailer coupling failures can all cause a truck to crash.
If a design or manufacturing defect played a role, the truck or parts manufacturer may be responsible. These cases frequently require deep investigation, expert analysis, and a review of recall history or internal design documents. They are not common, but when they occur, they must be investigated thoroughly.
Another Driver on the Road
Truck accidents often involve multiple vehicles. If another driver on the road cut the truck off, failed to yield, or caused a chain-reaction collision, that driver may be fully or partially at fault. In multi-vehicle crashes, it is very common for multiple drivers to share responsibility. Sorting that out requires careful analysis of crash reconstruction reports, traffic camera footage, witness statements, and physical evidence.
Government Entities (Road Conditions and Hazards)
While less common, government entities may be responsible if the crash was caused or made worse by dangerous road conditions. Examples include missing guardrails, poor road design, unmarked construction zones, potholes, or malfunctioning traffic signals. These cases have shorter deadlines and special rules, so it is essential to act quickly if you believe a road hazard played a part.
Determining Who to Sue Isn’t Always Straightforward
Commercial truck accidents involve layers of responsibility. One of the most challenging parts is figuring out how all those layers fit together. For example:
- A driver may have acted carelessly.
- A company might have encouraged unsafe driving.
- A maintenance contractor may have ignored a brake problem.
- A parts manufacturer could have released a defective component.
When all these pieces come together, liability can involve several parties at once. This is why investigations in truck cases are so detailed. Reviewing black box data, GPS history, maintenance logs, driver qualification files, and inspection reports often reveals more than expected.
Why Acting Quickly Matters
Evidence disappears fast after a trucking collision. Drivers’ logs can be overwritten, truck data can be erased, companies may fix the truck before it is inspected, and witnesses become harder to reach over time. Acting quickly allows your truck accident lawyer to preserve the evidence needed to build a strong case. Even simple things like skid marks or debris fields can provide information that helps determine liability.
Talk to Dogan & Dogan About Your Truck Accident Case Today
When you are hurt in a commercial truck accident, figuring out who to sue should not fall on your shoulders. Dogan & Dogan is here to help answer your questions, sort through the evidence, and pursue the compensation you deserve. If you are dealing with the aftermath of a truck accident and need guidance, reach out today to contact us online.
