Negligent drivers are not always responsible for traffic accidents. A truck accident, for example, might be the result of a careless driver, negligent trucking company, or manufacturing error. Liability is an important factor in any personal injury lawsuit, especially if it involves multiple parties who could be held accountable for the incident.
The Driver
The truck driver is the most obvious candidate for liability. Although drivers undergo extensive training to operate large trucks, they are still capable of serious mistakes.
Some common forms of truck driver negligence include:
- Drunk Driving
- Texting Behind the Wheel
- Distracted Driving
- Driver Inattention
- Fatigue
- Driving Under the Influence of Drugs
These last forms of negligence – tired driving and drugged driving – are prominent issues in the trucking industry.
According to research, some truck drivers use artificial stimulants to stay away behind the wheel. These drugs are not safe and can impair the driver's ability to operate the truck. In fact, most drugs increase the driver's risk of making a reckless mistake.
Tired driving is usually the result of long hours behind the wheel. Drives are required to monitor the amount of time they spend driving, but deadlines and other demands can encourage them to keep working, even when they are too exhausted to drive.
The Trucking Company
The trucking company or manufacturer could be indirectly responsible for your accident, even if the driver's actions actually caused the collision. For example, you could hold the driver's employer responsible for negligent hiring. Trucking companies are liable for their employees, especially when their jobs require specialized training.
The trucking company could also be responsible to provide a well-maintained truck. If the trucking company pressured the driver to work unreasonably long hours, it could be responsible for any accident caused by tired driving.
For additional information about truck accidents and personal injury liability, contact Florida Injury Law Firm today.