Commercial vehicle accidents are sometimes more complicated than typical car collisions, as several parties may be involved. Determining who is liable is essential to guaranteeing victims fair compensation for all the losses they have sustained.
Knowing who can be held liable in a commercial vehicle accident can help simplify the pursuit of justice. We’ll discuss the potentially liable parties in this article.
Also, examining the particular events surrounding the crash is crucial.
Why, you might wonder?
Well, it helps you to determine the liable party and guarantee that the victim gets compensation for their damages or injuries.
Potentially Liable Parties in a Commercial Vehicle Accident
The following are the potentially liable parties in a commercial vehicle accident.
1. The Driver
Usually, the driver is the most obvious party involved in a commercial vehicle accident. Should the driver be speeding, intoxicated, distracted, or just negligent, they could be held liable for the collision.
Many times, drivers of commercial vehicles are under pressure to satisfy strict deadlines, which can cause risky driving actions. Should such carelessness cause the accident, the driver might be directly liable.
2. The Company
Employers can be held liable for the activities of their staff members. Under the legal theory of “vicarious liability,” the company that hires the driver or owns the vehicle can be held liable for an accident caused by its vehicle. But this is possible only if the driver was working within the parameters of their employment at the time of the collision.
Commercial vehicle companies have obligations to:
- Find qualified drivers
- Ensure appropriate training
- Keep their vehicles in proper working condition, free of defects
Should they neglect these duties, they might be liable for the accident. Sometimes, the company might be to blame for creating illogical plans or neglecting to enforce safety policies. Should bad management decisions—such as inadequate driver training or neglect of required rest periods—cause a commercial vehicle accident, the company itself may be liable.
3. The Vehicle Manufacturer
Sometimes, a commercial vehicle accident results may occur due to a defective part. Potential mechanical failures could cause an accident. Examples of mechanical failures include,
- Faulty brakes
- Tire blowouts
- Engine malfunction
Should a mechanical problem lead to a crash, the manufacturer of the car or its parts could be accountable for damages. Manufacturers of vehicles have an obligation to make sure their goods satisfy safety criteria; any breach of this obligation makes them legally liable for mishaps.
4. Maintenance Providers
Maintaining commercial vehicle safety on the road depends on appropriate maintenance. Should a vehicle be neglected or if required repairs go wrong, the maintenance provider may be held liable for the accident. Large commercial vehicles need regular maintenance; a failure in this area could cause hazardous circumstances on the road.
5. Third-Party Contractors
Third-party contractors engaged in loading goods or rendering services connected to the vehicle may share liability in some commercial vehicle accidents. For instance, incorrectly loaded goods might move during transportation, compromising the vehicle’s stability and causing accidents. Under such circumstances, the person in charge of loading the vehicle might be liable for any ensuing crash.
Identifying the Liable Party
Determining liability in a commercial vehicle accident involves thorough research. Usually, investigators will do the following:
- Assess the driver’s behavior
- Evaluate the state of the car
- Review the company’s compliance with industry regulations
The results might show that more than one party is liable, thereby complicating the claims process. Sometimes, multiple parties—such as the driver and the company—may share liability. Getting just compensation in a commercial vehicle accident depends on knowing the several parties that might be held liable.