Truck accidents can have devastating consequences. It is not surprising that injuries and damages incurred in a truck accident are much more severe than those of a passenger vehicle accident. Due to their sheer size and weight, truck accidents can alter someone’s life and change their future. This is why it is important to take action when the other party is at fault.
Right after a truck accident where the truck driver is at fault, it is important to determine whether the driver or the trucking company is at fault. In most cases, it is the trucking company’s negligence that causes the accident, directly or indirectly. If you or your loved one was injured in a truck accident collision, consult with an attorney from the Renton personal injury law firm today.
Times when a trucking company is liable for a truck accident
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Vicarious liability.
The term vicarious liability in the legal world states that the trucking company can be held liable when an employee of the company, such as a truck driver, makes an error and causes an accident.
In such cases, the trucking company becomes liable even if the truck driver is entirely at fault. However, it is important to note that the trucking company can only be held liable if the driver has caused the accident while on duty and when they were engaged in legal company work.
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Negligent hiring.
Trucking companies have the duty to perform background checks, check skills and qualifications, and take other measures to ensure that the drivers they are hiring are fit for the job. When trucking companies fail to take these measures and hire unskilled people who are not fit for the job of a truck driver, they engage in negligent acts. They are also required to monitor the drivers’ behavior regularly.
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Improper maintenance and inspections.
Trucking companies are required to conduct regular inspections and maintenance of their vehicles to ensure they are safe to go on the road. This is to ensure that there are not any mechanical failures that might cause an accident down the lane. If a trucking company fails to make the required inspections and checking and overlooks necessary repairs, which leads to the accident, it becomes liable.
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Hours of Service violations.
Truck drivers and trucking companies are required to adhere to federal regulations, which restrict truck drivers from driving more than a certain number of hours within a week. If the trucking company makes a driver work more than that and causes the driver to become fatigued, they become liable for accidents that result due to the driver’s sleepiness.