Are Commercial Truck Drivers Always at Fault for Crashes?

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Commercial truck drivers operate some of the largest and most powerful vehicles on the road. Semi-trucks, including their trailers, can weigh over 33,000 pounds when empty, and up to 80,000 fully loaded. This makes them capable of causing extensive property damage, severe injuries, and even deaths when involved in accidents.

While the size and potential danger of these vehicles may lead some to assume truck drivers are always at fault when they’re in crashes, the reality is more complicated. Depending on the circumstances, other parties are often partially or fully responsible for truck accidents.

Determining liability can be challenging and time-consuming if you’ve been injured in a collision involving a large truck. Working with an experienced Florida truck accident lawyer ensures a thorough investigation to identify all responsible parties and helps you pursue the compensation you deserve from every liable source.

Potential Liable Parties in Truck Accidents

Florida law recognizes the dangerous instrumentality doctrine, a principle established in 1920 following the case of Southern Cotton Oil Co. v. Anderson. Under this doctrine, the owner of a vehicle is liable for any injuries caused if someone else operates their vehicle and is involved in an accident. This applies in cases where an employee, such as a truck driver, is driving a truck owned by their employer.

Furthermore, because most commercial truck drivers are employed by trucking companies, this means their employers can also be subjected to vicarious liability, a common-law doctrine. This principle establishes that an employer is legally responsible for the actions of their employees when working or acting as part of their employment responsibilities, such as when driving a semi-truck to deliver cargo for the company.

When these doctrines apply, liability may extend beyond the driver to include the following parties:

Trucking Companies

The trucking company is responsible for ensuring all its drivers are qualified, properly trained, and in possession of valid Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDLs). It is also responsible for properly maintaining the trucks and setting reasonable hours of service.

Neglecting these responsibilities can hold a truck driver’s employer accountable for the damages and injuries resulting from an accident. Some examples include:

  • Improper Hiring Practices: Employing drivers without proper, valid, and current licensing, adequate training, or background checks increases the risk of an accident due to poor control or negligence.
  • Pushing Drivers Beyond Legal Hours: Pressuring or requiring drivers to exceed the FMCSA’s hours-of-service (HOS) regulations can result in fatigue-related accidents.
  • Failure to Maintain Vehicles: Neglecting routine inspections or repairs risks causing a mechanical failure that can result in an accident, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or a trailer detaching.

Truck Owners

Some trucking companies don’t own their own fleets but instead lease the vehicles they use to transport cargo. These leasing companies are responsible for ensuring their vehicles are safe to operate before entrusting them to other parties.

When the company that owns the truck fails to conduct proper maintenance, they can be held accountable for the accident and any injuries.

Cargo Loading Staff

Large trucking, shipping, and logistics organizations may employ dedicated staff or hire other organizations to load and unload cargo from truck trailers. Examples include third-party logistics providers (3PLs) and warehouse operators. These parties ensure cargo is loaded correctly, balanced, and secured inside truck trailers.

If a poorly loaded trailer causes a truck accident, such as in cases where drivers lose control of the trailer and the truck tips over or jackknifes, these organizations can potentially be liable for the damages.

Other Drivers on the Road

The reckless or negligent behavior of another road user can cause a truck driver to lose control or be involved in an accident with partial or even no responsibility of their own, especially since large trucks need more space to slow down, accelerate, and turn. Examples of incidents that can increase the risk of a truck crash include:

  • Car drivers being distracted or failing to see a truck making a maneuver on the road
  • Unsafe lane changes in front of a semi-truck
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Remaining inside a truck driver’s blind spots for long periods of time

When Is the Truck Driver at Fault?

The truck driver may be held responsible for the accident if an investigation determines that their actions directly or primarily caused the crash, with no other parties sharing liability. Situations where this applies might involve:

  • Distracted Driving: According to the CDC, the three primary forms of distraction at the wheel are visual (eyes off the road), manual (hands off the wheel), and cognitive (mind off the driving). Using a phone, eating, adjusting a navigation system or playlist, and daydreaming are all examples of common distractions.
  • Driving Under the Influence: The FMCSA sets a strict alcohol-related rule of a maximum blood-alcohol content (BAC) of 0.04%, stricter than most states apply to drivers of non-commercial vehicles. Drivers in violation of this rule are considered to be driving under the influence.
  • Fatigue: A long-haul trucker can be held liable if they intentionally exceed the legal HOS limits or fail to take federally mandated breaks.
  • Reckless Driving: Speeding, ignoring traffic signals, or traveling too fast for the current road conditions are examples of reckless driving, which can make the driver liable for accidents they cause.

Proving Liability in a Truck Accident

Identifying the responsible parties in a commercial truck accident can be a complicated and demanding process. A skilled Florida truck accident attorney can conduct a thorough investigation and gather critical evidence to establish liability, such as:

  • Reviewing the truck’s maintenance records and the parties responsible for repairs
  • Analyzing driver logs for potential HOS violations
  • Examining cargo documents to identify potential improper cargo handling and loading
  • Obtaining the truck’s speed, braking, and handling information from an electronic control module (“black box”)
  • Interviewing witnesses, reconstruction experts, and other parties relevant to the accident

Contact Aigen Injury Law After a Truck Crash

If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Miami or anywhere in Florida, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone.

With years of experience handling complex truck accident cases, Aigen Injury Law has the knowledge, resources, and dedication to help you identify liable parties, hold them accountable, and secure the compensation you need to move forward. Contact us today for a free consultation.