A collision with a semi-truck is a frightening experience that can upend your life instantly. Suddenly, you’re facing serious injuries, mounting medical bills, lost income, and a maze of insurance red tape. In the wake of such a traumatic event, some important questions you might ask are: Can I sue for a truck crash? and, Who is liable for a truck accident?
At the Law Offices of Steers & Associates, we help accident victims get answers. Based in Southern California, our legal team has over 40 years of combined legal experience standing up to trucking companies, manufacturers, and insurers who try to dodge responsibility. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, we’re here to help you understand your rights, build a strong case, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
Who Can I Sue After a Truck Accident?
Truck accidents are rarely straightforward. In many cases, liability extends beyond just the person driving the truck. Several parties could be held responsible, depending on the circumstances of the crash. Read on to learn about the parties you can sue after a truck accident.
The Truck Driver
In many cases, the truck driver is the first party to investigate when determining liability in a truck accident. Commercial drivers are required to follow strict federal and state safety regulations. If the driver violated these rules or acted negligently, they may be held personally responsible for your injuries.
Common reasons truck drivers may be liable include:
- Fatigued driving,
- Distracted driving,
- Speeding,
- Aggressive driving, and
- Driving under the influence.
However, most truck drivers are employees of a larger company, meaning liability often extends beyond the driver.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies can be held legally responsible for an accident. Their role in hiring, training, supervising drivers, and maintaining the fleet can directly impact road safety. In a truck accident lawsuit, liability may fall on the company in two primary ways: through direct negligence or under a legal principle known as respondeat superior.
Direct negligence
A trucking company may be directly negligent if its actions, or failure to act, contributed to the crash. This negligence can include:
- Negligent hiring of an unqualified or unsafe driver;
- Inadequate training or supervision of drivers;
- Failure to enforce hours-of-service rules, leading to driver fatigue;
- Ignoring prior safety violations or complaints about a driver;
- Poor vehicle maintenance or failure to fix known issues; and
- Pushing drivers to meet unrealistic delivery schedules by encouraging speeding or rule-breaking.
Each of these failures can directly increase the risk of serious accidents on the road.
Vicarious liability
Even if the trucking company was not directly negligent, it could still be held legally responsible under the doctrine of respondeat superior. This doctrine means the company may be liable because the truck driver acted within the scope of their employment when the crash occurred. In other words, the employer is responsible for the actions of its employees, even if the employer did nothing wrong itself.
Cargo Loaders
Improperly loaded or secured cargo can significantly affect a truck’s handling, braking, and stability. When a third-party cargo loading company fails to follow proper procedures, it may be liable for the resulting harm.
Examples of cargo loader negligence include:
- Overloading the truck or trailer beyond legal weight limits,
- Failing to secure cargo properly, leading to shifting during transit,
- Uneven weight distribution that causes the truck to tip or sway, and
- Ignoring hazardous material handling regulations.
If these negligent acts contribute to a crash, the cargo loaders may be liable.
Truck Manufacturers
When a defect in the truck or one of its components causes an accident, the truck’s manufacturer may be liable under product liability laws. These claims focus on design flaws, manufacturing defects, or failure to warn about known safety risks.
Examples may include a braking system malfunction due to a manufacturing defect or a truck’s steering system failing due to a faulty design.
These cases often require a thorough investigation and expert testimony to determine whether a defect caused the crash.
Truck Maintenance Providers
Some trucking companies outsource regular inspections and repairs to third-party maintenance providers. If those mechanics or service teams fail to perform their duties properly, they may share fault for a resulting accident.
Common forms of maintenance negligence include:
- Skipping or overlooking required safety inspections;
- Installing defective or incompatible parts;
- Failing to repair worn brakes, tires, or steering components; and
- Ignoring signs of mechanical failure during routine service.
A lawyer can help investigate maintenance logs and service records to uncover whether negligence by these providers contributed to the collision.
Government Entities
Sometimes, a government agency may be responsible for unsafe road conditions that contribute to a truck accident. For example, a government entity might be liable for failing to repair potholes, broken guardrails, malfunctioning traffic signals, or faulty road lighting.
Filing a claim against a government agency is complex and time-sensitive, so acting quickly is critical.
Can I Sue for Being Hit by a Semi-Truck If I Was Also at Fault?
California follows a comparative negligence rule. That means you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation is typically reduced by your share of the fault.
For example, if you are 20% at fault and your total damages are $100,000, you would still be able to receive $80,000.
Comparative negligence often comes into play in truck accident cases, especially when insurers or trucking companies try to shift blame. Having an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side can significantly affect the allocation of fault and how much compensation you receive.
Call a Trusted Legal Team with Experience in Truck Accident Liability
Truck accident liability requires a deep knowledge of federal trucking regulations, access to industry professionals, and aggressive representation.
The Law Offices of Steers & Associates has a proven record of success. Our team is known for:
- Relentless advocacy against trucking companies and insurers;
- Personalized legal strategies tailored to your case;
- No upfront fees—you don’t pay unless we recover compensation for you; and
- Responsive service that keeps you informed every step of the way.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, don’t try to go it alone. Get the experienced legal help you need and deserve.
Contact the Law Offices of Steers & Associates today for a free consultation.
