Due to their immense size and weight, semi-trucks can cause extensive damage in a collision. The vast majority of 18-wheeler accidents are preventable, but drowsy and distracted driving are rampant among professional truckers.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is responsible for devising safety regulations that govern transportation companies in the United States. These regulations are designed to prevent serious collisions, but they are only effective if all parties in the chain of distribution follow them.
Everyone from the cargo loading company to the trucker needs to operate with safety as their top priority. When any party associated with a delivery fails to do so, it puts the trucker and everyone else on the road at risk.
If you were hurt in a truck collision, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. A Madison truck accident lawyer from Ballard Law, PLLC will help you fight for the maximum settlement, and if your case goes to trial, Mr. Ballard has the litigation experience to protect your interests in court. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free case evaluation.
Read on to learn about the parties who may be liable for your damages after a semi-truck collision:
- The Vehicle Manufacturer
If the collision occurred as the result of a manufacturing defect, you may be able to sue the vehicle manufacturer directly. In order to determine if this is the case, your accident attorney will need to investigate the crash and gather proof that some kind of malfunction caused it.
- The Loading Company
Unbalanced cargo can affect the trucker’s ability to maintain control of the vehicle. If your collision occurred because the truck failed to brake on time or tipped over, it might have been because of an unbalanced load. In such a scenario, you would likely name the cargo loading company in your lawsuit.
- The Maintenance Company
It is common for trucking companies to contract a third-party business to maintain their vehicles. If the maintenance company fails to keep the trucks in good condition, they could be liable for any collisions that occur as a result.
- The Trucking Company
Sometimes, trucking companies ignore federal safety regulations in order to make faster deliveries. Those regulations are in place for a reason, though, and if a transportation company demands too much from its drivers, they are typically liable for any accidents that result.
Unfortunately, collisions can occur even if the trucking company strives to follow all safety regulations. At the end of the day, the drivers are out on the road alone, and it is ultimately up to them to operate their vehicles safely. Trucking companies have liability insurance for their drivers, though, so if you were in a collision because the trucker was drunk, drowsy, or distracted, you would still name the transportation company in your personal injury lawsuit.
If you sustained debilitating injuries in an 18-wheeler crash, turn to Ballard Law, PLLC for quality legal counsel. Call 769-572-5111 to schedule a free consultation with an accident attorney in Madison. You can learn more about truck accidents in Mississippi by visiting the USAttorneys website.
