Commercial trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, giving them the power to cause severe injuries in even relatively minor accidents. In addition to property damage, victims often experience life-altering personal injuries that might require long-term medical care. Collecting adequate compensation for your considerable losses means holding all liable parties responsible, potentially including parties who weren’t present at the accident.

Who Is Responsible for Commercial Trucking Accidents?

The Driver

Just like passenger drivers, truck drivers have a responsibility to follow the rules of the road. A large percentage of commercial truck accidents occur because drivers were fatigued, distracted, or under the influence at the time of the crash. If the truck driver was speeding, failed to follow traffic laws, or otherwise neglected their duty of care, your personal injury attorney might be able to hold them personally accountable for your losses.

Trucking Company

In some situations, you may also be able to file a claim against the truck driver’s employer, if they are a direct employee and the accident was not intentional. However, many truck drivers are classified as independent contractors, which can make collecting damages more difficult. Fortunately, your personal injury attorney might still be able to file a claim if they can show that the company closely supervises their contractors and creates conditions that are more likely to lead to an accident.

Truck Manufacturer

Every manufacturer is required to guarantee that their vehicles are safe to drive if used correctly. If your accident was triggered by mechanical failure, poor maintenance, or a defective vehicle, the manufacturer could be to blame. In these situations, they might also be financially liable for your injuries.

After a commercial trucking accident, having a skilled personal injury attorney identify all of the liable parties and work to hold them accountable is the key to getting the compensation you deserve. Kidwell & Gallagher in Elko has proudly served accident victims throughout Northern Nevada for over 20 years. They offer impeccable service that has earned them the “Top One Percent” award from the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Call (775) 738-1000 to schedule a consultation or case evaluation and visit their website to learn about their practice areas.