The results are often catastrophic when a commercial truck and a passenger vehicle collide. Victims face a long road to recovery, both physically and financially. As medical bills mount and time away from work strains their resources, many accident survivors are left wondering where to turn for help.
At Hofmann & Schweitzer, our New York and New Jersey truck accident lawyers understand the challenges you face. We also know that securing fair compensation means identifying all parties who may be liable for your injuries. While the truck driver may be the most obvious responsible party, our investigations frequently reveal that negligence by trucking companies, cargo loaders, and even vehicle manufacturers played a role in the crash.
Possible Defendants in a Truck Accident Case
While truck driver error is a leading cause of accidents, the responsibility for safe trucking operations is shared among numerous people and businesses. When crashes occur, each of these parties may hold a portion of the liability:
Trucking Companies
Truck carriers have a duty to ensure their drivers are adequately trained, well-rested, and operating within federal regulations. They must also maintain their fleet in a safe condition. Failure to meet these obligations can make them liable for resulting accidents.
For example, a trucking company could be negligent if it:
Common trucking company negligence includes:
- Pushes drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules, leading to fatigue
- Neglects to perform thorough background checks and hires unqualified drivers
- Fails to provide adequate training on defensive driving, cargo securement, and hours of service rules
- Doesn’t conduct regular vehicle inspections and necessary maintenance
- Encourages or disregards violations of federal trucking regulations, such as hours of service regulations
When trucking companies prioritize profits over safety, innocent motorists pay the price and deserve a fair recovery.
Cargo Loaders
The shipper and cargo loading teams are responsible for ensuring trucks are loaded safely and within weight limits. Overloaded or improperly balanced cargo can make trucks difficult to maneuver and more prone to tipping over, especially on curves or in high winds.
Truck and Parts Manufacturers
Under product liability laws, manufacturers may be held accountable when defective trucks or components contribute to accidents. This includes makers of tires, brakes, steering systems, and other critical safety components.
Truck Maintenance Providers
Some trucking companies outsource their vehicle maintenance to third-party vendors. If these mechanics fail to identify and correct safety issues, they can be liable for resulting crashes.
Why Identifying All Liable Parties Is Crucial
Determining which individuals and companies are responsible for a truck accident is essential for two key reasons:
1. Securing Fair Compensation
Truck accident injuries are often severe, leading to substantial medical expenses, lost income, and a lifetime of ongoing care needs. By identifying all liable parties, victims have a better chance of securing sufficient compensation to cover the full extent of their damages.
If you file a lawsuit against the wrong defendant, the court may dismiss your case without you recovering any compensation.
2. Holding Negligent Actors Accountable
When trucking companies, manufacturers, and other entities are allowed to escape responsibility for their negligence, they have little incentive to change dangerous practices. By pursuing claims against all liable parties, truck accident victims can help prevent future crashes and make New York and New Jersey roads safer for everyone.
Maximizing Your Recovery Through Thorough Investigation
Given the numerous potential sources of liability, truck accident cases require meticulous investigation to identify all responsible parties. At Hofmann & Schweitzer, our experienced New York and New Jersey truck accident attorneys determine how the crash occurred and who should be held accountable.
We examine critical evidence, including:
- Driver logs and rest schedules
- Truck maintenance records
- Cargo loading documents
- Black box data from the truck's electronic control module
- Cell phone records to check for distracted driving
- Truck company hiring and training procedures
- Citations for trucking regulation violations
Armed with this information, we build strong cases against all liable parties to pursue the maximum available compensation for our clients. We understand the life-changing impact of severe truck accident injuries, and we fight tenaciously to secure the resources our clients need to heal and rebuild.
