Truck accidents are almost always serious and often result in severe, catastrophic injuries or death. Investigating who was at fault for causing a crash involving an 18-wheeler, a semi-truck, or another large commercial vehicle often reveals a complex web of factors, such as a fatigued driver with a poor driving record and a history or cutting corners on vehicle inspection maintenance, a cargo loader who improperly secured a load, or a parts manufacturer whose defective brakes failed at the worst possible moment. Each of these parties can bear legal responsibility for contributing to a truck accident, and each represents a potential source of compensation for individuals who were injured by their negligence.

The size and weight of a commercial truck means truck accident injuries are often catastrophic. They may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, severe burns, loss of limbs, or death. The damages can reach into the millions of dollars, and identifying who was responsible is critical to ensuring the injured individuals receive the compensation they deserve.

Truck Accident Cases Often Involve Multiple Defendants

Multiple parties can be responsible for causing a trucking accident. Identifying who is responsible is critical to securing compensation for people and families who were harmed.

Truck Driver

Many truck accidents are caused by driver error. Falling asleep, speeding, or driving drunk, high, or distracted are all causes of truck accidents. Truck drivers are held to higher standards than other drivers and are required to follow all traffic laws as well as additional rules that apply to commercial vehicles. When truck drivers make mistakes that cause injuries, they can be held legally responsible for the harm they caused.

Trucking Company

In some cases, the company that employed the truck driver may share responsibility for causing the crash. Trucking companies can be held liable for the negligent actions of their employees, such as an employee who failed to conduct proper vehicle inspections and maintenance, when the trucking company negligently hired an unqualified driver, or when management pressures a driver to violate hours-of-service rules causing the operator to drive when they were over-tired.

Truck Owner

In some cases, trucks are owned by individuals or separate businesses and operated by third-party drivers who transport and deliver goods. Even if the truck owner had nothing to do with the truck’s operation while it was on the road, they can still be held legally liable for injuries caused by a failure to inspect and maintain the vehicle.

Truck Mechanic

Truck mechanics ensure the vehicle meets safety and maintenance standards. If the crash was caused by a mechanical failure, the truck mechanic and their employer may be partially responsible. State and federal laws require that trucks be regularly inspected and maintained. A truck accident attorney can review the truck maintenance records to determine whether a mistake by the truck mechanic caused the crash.

Truck Manufacturer

Sometimes faulty truck components caused or contributed to the crash. If the vehicle or part manufacturer’s negligence was a contributing factor, they can be held legally liable. For example, a part manufacturer could be liable if defective tires or brakes contributed to causing the crash.

Broker Liability

A broker makes the arrangements with the trucking company to ship the goods. If the broker negligently hired the trucking company or retained oversight over any of the work or services performed, the broker could be partially liable.

Shipper Liability

The shipper has a legal duty to verify the trucking company’s licensing and safety record. The shipper can be liable for negligently handling or loading the cargo, particularly if the crash was caused by vehicle overloading or if the load shifted in transit.

Michigan’s No-Fault Insurance Rule in Truck Accident Injury Cases

Michigan is a no-fault insurance state, which means every vehicle owner is required to carry a minimum amount of insurance coverage to pay for reasonable medical expenses, lost wages, and other specified damages. Because truck accidents often involve severe, catastrophic injuries that exceed PIP limits, trucking companies often have higher insurance limits that provide coverage for damages that exceed a driver’s PIP coverage. As a result, third-party lawsuits are common after a truck accident.

How the Experienced Truck Accident Attorneys at Muth Law Can Help

If you were severely injured or a loved one was killed in a Michigan truck accident, the truck accident injury attorneys at Muth Law, P.C., can help. We will thoroughly investigate the cause of the crash, identify the individuals and companies responsible, and work to bring them to justice.

Truck accidents are complicated because many different parties can be involved in a single crash. When evaluating a truck accident, a careful analysis of the contracts between each of the parties involved in shipping the load is critical to identifying who was at fault and maximizing your financial recovery.

Contact the Michigan Truck Accident Injury Lawyers at Muth Law, P.C., Today

Muth Law is located in Ann Arbor and works with clients in Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and throughout Michigan. Please contact us to schedule a free, confidential consultation to discuss your truck accident injury matter. Call 734-481-8800 or contact us via e-mail. We look forward to serving your family.