Semi-Truck Accidents And Who May Be Liable

What parties are can be held responsible if you get in an accident it a Commercial Truck?

Being in an accident is bad enough, but being in an accident with a commercial truck can be downright nerve racking. If you have been hit by a commercial truck you probably have many questions and without a doubt one of the most important questions will be “Who is responsible for your injuries?”

In the state of Florida there are 4 different parties that generally could be held responsible after a semi-truck accident.

The Truck Driver

Most automobile accidents are caused by driver error. With that said though, before you place blame on the driver of the semi-truck, remember that driving is the person’s job. Professional drivers must go through much more training that a normal motorist and proving error on their part may be difficult if they have a clean driving record.

The Trucking Company

Did you know that in Florida that a company can be held responsible for its employee’s actions? Under the legal doctrine “respondeat superior” they can.

The Truck Manufacturer

Was there an equipment malfunction that caused the accident? Do you know where to begin asking the appropriate questions to determine if there was a malfunction? There can be 400+ different companies involved in the manufacturing process of a commercial truck and having professional help can make all the difference.

The Company that owns the loaded cargo

Improperly loaded and/or secured cargo can cause problems, big problems. If a semi-truck carrying a large load suddenly stops, an improperly secured load can shift and create unforeseen consequences. These consequences can range from the semi taking longer than usual to stop, unintended swerving and much more. Knowing whether the load in the semi followed all of the proper guidelines can be a daunting task. Let one of our Clearwater semi-truck accident attorneys help with the process of tracking down all of the appropriate paperwork and documentation to help prove if there was any wrongdoing.

Navigating the legal waters of responsibility can be daunting after getting in an semi-truck accident and the help of a Tampa Bay Semi-Truck accident attorney may be the just what you need for peace of mind. If you or a loved one has been injured don’t hesitate to call us at 727-669-2828 and take advantage of our Free Case Evaluation. There is no such thing as a dumb question when it comes to you and your family after an accident.