Numerous parties can be responsible after a truck accident in Mississippi. The truck driver is often, or at least partially, responsible for the accident, but other parties, such as the trucking company that employs the driver, the vehicle owner, and manufacturers, can also be held accountable. The cause of the truck accident determines who can be held liable for the victims’ losses, as does state law.
Consider the following parties that could be responsible for a truck accident in Mississippi, and speak with a Jackson truck accident lawyer about your case.
The Truck Driver
Truck drivers carry a significant amount of responsibility in crashes. They are highly trained and skilled professionals who know the risks. Truck drivers are often at fault in situations where the following are the cause of the accident:
- Speeding or other forms of reckless driving
- Aggressive driving, such as tailgating or unsafe merging
- Impairment while driving
- Distraction such as using a cell phone, eating and drinking, or watching a podcast
- Fatigue behind the wheel
These factors contribute to a significant number of truck accidents every year, and many times, they are fully preventable. Evidence from witness statements, commercial black boxes, and police reports often sheds light on these causes.
The Trucking Company
Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that all Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration rules are followed. They are responsible, to some degree, for their employees’ actions. Some examples of when a truck company could be to blame include:
- Hiring or using an unskilled, untrained, or unlicensed driver
- Failing to monitor hours of service regulations or pushing drivers to work beyond when it is safe to do so
- Refusing to miss deadlines even when road conditions are worrisome
- Allowing a driver to continue to work for them after multiple violations
- Failing to maintain their trucks
To prove trucking companies are at fault, your attorney will gather evidence from the scene, pull all federal records and documentation, and investigate previous claims.
Truck Owners
Some trucking companies and drivers lease vehicles from other owners. The owners could be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the vehicles. If they fail to maintain the vehicle through routine inspections or use inferior materials or methods in repairs, they could be liable for accidents caused by these failures.
Cargo Loading Companies
To improve efficiency, many trucking companies and logistics providers use separate companies to load cargo onto the trucks. Trailers must be loaded in accordance with federal regulations for safety and security. If cargo shifts cause the driver to lose control, the cargo company could be found partially at fault for the accident.
Manufacturers
In some situations, research demonstrates that the truck’s manufacturing posed risks, perhaps due to the design or the use of inferior materials. The truck manufacturer, as well as parts manufacturers, could be held accountable for losses. This includes parts replaced in vehicles over time.
Most Often, Numerous Parties Are at Fault
One of the most important reasons to hire a truck accident lawyer in Mississippi is because many cases involve multiple parties at fault. By demonstrating fault, you can seek compensation against those people and businesses. This increases the availability of compensation to cover the losses their negligence created in your life. Contact an attorney before you agree to settle.