Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident?

Who is liable for a truck accident? The truck driver, trucking company, truck manufacturer, third-party truck maintenance company, or cargo-related company may be liable for a truck accident. 

A Rhode Island truck accident lawyer can help you untangle the liability knot in order to get you the justice and damages recovery you deserve.

Common Parties That May Be Liable for a Truck Accident

Truck accidents in Rhode Island often involve multiple liable parties, making these cases more complex than standard car accidents. The weight and length of the vehicle often lead to the collision of more than one vehicle, and the cause of the accident can be attributed to various factors. 

Rhode Island is one of 13 states to follow pure comparative negligence laws. This means that more than one party can be held legally responsible, and liability is assigned based on each party’s percentage of fault. Identifying all responsible parties is key to maximizing your potential compensation.

Truck Drivers

Truck drivers are frequently the first to be investigated. Truck drivers must adhere to a strict driving schedule. If the driver was speeding, texting, fatigued, or under the influence, they may be held personally liable. 

Federal rules regarding hours-of-service regulations apply to most truck drivers, and violations can serve as strong evidence of negligence. Rhode Island law also considers whether the driver acted with reasonable care under the circumstances.

Trucking Companies and Employers

Trucking companies can be held vicariously liable for a truck accident if the driver was operating within the scope of employment. In addition, the Rhode Island Supreme Court ruled lessors to be liable under vicarious liability. As the proper owners of the vehicles, short and long-term leasing companies, as well as motor-vehicle financing corporations, can be found liable for a truck accident. 

Companies may be directly liable for a truck accident if they failed to maintain the vehicle, enforced unrealistic schedules, or hired unqualified drivers. A truck driver must adhere to strict rules of procedure. Sometimes these rules get in the way of productivity. If a company encourages unsafe practices to meet deadlines, this could significantly strengthen a claim against them and result in proving negligence. 

Additional Liable Parties

 Other third parties may be liable for your accident. For example, cargo loaders. Cargo loaders are employed to properly secure freight. If freight shifts while driving,  it can significantly impact the safety of the truck. 

Other parties that can be held liable for a truck accident include maintenance companies or vehicle manufacturers in the case of defective parts. Because Rhode Island follows a pure comparative negligence rule, even a party who is only partially at fault can still be held financially responsible for their share of damages.

How Liability is Determined in a Truck Accident

Determining who is liable for a truck accident involves analyzing all contributing factors and identifying the responsible parties. Unlike typical car accidents, truck accidents can involve multiple liable entities, such as the truck driver, the trucking company, maintenance providers, cargo handlers, or even vehicle manufacturers. 

Your Rhode Island personal injury lawyer will investigate and gather evidence like police reports, eyewitness accounts, dashcam footage, and electronic logging data to piece together the cause of the accident. If the driver was speeding, distracted, or violating traffic laws, they may be held liable. 

If the trucking company failed to maintain the vehicle, forced unrealistic driving schedules, or hired an unqualified driver, they could also be held accountable. In some cases, a defective part or improperly loaded cargo may shift the liability to a third party.

How Third Parties May Be Liable

In many cases, truck accidents are complicated compared to car accidents due to driver responsibilities, various causes of accidents, severity of injuries, and the number of entities involved in a single haul. For example, a truck might be owned by one company, operated by another, and maintained by a third. 

Each of these parties has a legal responsibility to ensure safety, and when any of them neglect their duties, they may share in the liability for any resulting accident.

Private vs. Government Truck Accident Liability in Rhode Island

Liability also depends on whether the truck was privately owned or government-operated. Privately owned trucks by companies or individuals require different steps to file a claim than a truck that is owned and operated by the government. 

Private Owned Truck Accidents

When a privately owned truck is involved in an accident, liability typically falls on the driver or the trucking company. Factors such as driver negligence, vehicle maintenance records, and compliance with federal and state regulations are scrutinized. 

Victims can pursue compensation by filing a personal injury claim, and Rhode Island’s pure comparative negligence system allows for recovery even if the victim is partially at fault, with damages reduced proportionally to their degree of fault.

Government-owned Truck Accidents

Accidents involving government-operated trucks, such as municipal or state vehicles, are subject to different rules due to the principle of sovereign immunity. That does not make them free of blame. 

According to the Roger Williams University Law Review, the Rhode Island Tort Claims Act permits individuals to file claims against government entities found liable for a truck accident under specific conditions. The most specific is that claimants must provide a notice of injury within 60 days of the accident. Failure to adhere to this deadline can result in the forfeiture of the right to seek compensation.

Given the complexities involved in both scenarios, especially concerning strict deadlines and procedural requirements, consulting with a Rhode Island personal injury attorney is advisable to navigate the legal process effectively and ensure that all necessary steps are taken to protect one’s rights.

Gemma Law Offers Professional and Personable Support

When using Gemma Law to represent you, they can guide you to understand who is liable in a truck accident. Our team of knowledgeable lawyers with over 100 years of combined experience recovered over millions for our clients. 

You can speak directly with your given attorney, and we will protect your rights and work to bring you the most favorable resolution.