Understanding Commercial Vehicle Liability

Accidents involving commercial vehicles can be complicated, as there are often many parties involved in the vehicle’s maintenance and operation. Learn about the various entities that may be held liable for an accident so you know how to protect your rights.

Commercial Vehicle Liability

Commercial vehicles are different from traditional passenger cars in that they are owned and operated by a company to conduct business. Examples of commercial vehicles include most trucks, taxis, school buses, limousines, and more.

Multiple parties are involved in commercial vehicles’ maintenance and operation, including the actual driver of the vehicle, the company that owns or leases the vehicle, the vehicle’s manufacturer, and more. As such, it can be difficult to identify all responsible parties in the event of an accident.

In terms of truck accidents, accident liability typically falls with one or more of the following parties:

• The truck driver: If the truck driver’s negligent actions—such as drunk or distracted driving—directly led to an accident, they may be held liable for damages.
• The trucking company: If the trucking company hired a driver who should not have been on the road—such as an unlicensed driver or one with multiple driving infractions—or if they did not conduct regular inspections on their vehicles, the trucking company may be held liable for the crash.
• The cargo loaders: Due to trucks’ size and weight, their cargo must be loaded evenly and securely to prevent cargo shift and a subsequent accident. If the cargo loaders were negligent in this responsibility, they may be held liable for the accident.

If you have been injured in a truck accident that wasn’t your fault, our Corpus Christi personal injury attorneys can sort through the liability issues while you focus on recovering from your injuries.