Who can be held liable in a truck accident?

On Behalf of | Jul 2, 2020 | Motor Vehicle Accidents |

We rely on commercial trucks to safely deliver goods and services throughout the country. Much of our way of life depends on them. While they are an asset to the economy, many trucks also pose a danger on the road. From faulty parts to drivers ignoring blind spots, there is a wide spectrum of things that can go wrong. The results of a wreck involving these vehicles can be catastrophic. If you suffered injuries in a truck accident, you may be wondering who will foot the bill for your losses.

The driver or the company

Generally, the trucking company or their insurance will cover the losses if the truck operator’s actions caused the accident. It may be that the driver’s schedule was far too demanding and they became fatigued by a lack of rest. Or perhaps the driver was not properly trained by their company.

It is also possible the driver is a contractor working on behalf of a company. In this case, it may be more difficult to pursue damages from the company – depending on how involved they were in the driver’s operations and training.

Other parties may be responsible

Furthermore, it is possible that another driver or a shipping company is responsible for your accident. Was there a spill involved? What about improper loading or defective parts? Because trucks carry heavy equipment and potentially hazardous products, determining liability isn’t always an easy task.

Kentucky’s no-fault insurance laws

There are a few more things you may want to note. Because we live in a state that holds to no-fault insurance laws, you will first have to seek recovery from your own insurance company. But that does not mean that you cannot file a lawsuit or seek recovery by other means should your claim result in insufficient compensation.