When a semi-truck causes a serious accident, the truck driver may seem like the obvious person responsible. But commercial truck accidents are often more complicated than crashes involving two passenger vehicles. Depending on what caused the collision, the trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo company, maintenance provider, or another business may share responsibility.
Identifying who can be sued after a semi-truck accident matters because these crashes can cause catastrophic injuries and significant financial losses. Determining every party whose negligence contributed to the accident can help an injured person pursue appropriate compensation.
When Is the Semi-Truck Driver Liable for an Accident?
A truck driver may be responsible when their negligence causes or contributes to a crash. Examples may include speeding, distracted driving, unsafe lane changes, following too closely, driving while impaired, or failing to adjust to weather and road conditions.
Driver fatigue can also be an important issue in commercial trucking accidents. Federal regulations generally limit how long certain commercial drivers can drive without required rest periods. Driver logs and electronic records may help determine whether fatigue or violations of hours-of-service requirements played a role in a collision.
Can You Sue the Trucking Company After an Accident?
In some cases, responsibility extends beyond the person behind the wheel.
A trucking company may potentially be liable based on its relationship with the driver or its own conduct. Depending on the circumstances, questions may arise about hiring practices, driver training and supervision, safety policies, vehicle maintenance, or whether the company encouraged or permitted unsafe practices.
For example, evidence that a company placed unreasonable pressure on drivers to meet delivery schedules could become relevant if speeding or driver fatigue contributed to the accident.
The relationship between the driver and trucking company also matters. Commercial transportation can involve employees, independent contractors, vehicle owners, carriers, and other businesses, so determining which companies may be legally responsible requires examining how the operation was structured.
Can a Cargo or Loading Company Be Responsible?
Semi-trucks carry thousands of pounds of cargo, and how that cargo is loaded and secured can affect the safety of everyone on the road.
Improperly loaded or unsecured cargo can shift during transit, making a truck difficult to control or contributing to a rollover. Cargo can also fall from a trailer and create a hazard for other motorists.
If a separate company was responsible for loading or securing the shipment, its conduct may need to be investigated along with the actions of the driver and trucking company.
What If Poor Truck Maintenance Caused the Crash?
Commercial trucks require regular inspection, maintenance, and repair. Problems involving brakes, tires, steering systems, lights, or other critical components can contribute to devastating crashes.
Depending on who was responsible for maintaining the truck, potential liability could extend to a trucking company, vehicle owner, maintenance contractor, or repair provider. Maintenance and inspection records can help determine whether a known problem was ignored or required work was not properly performed.
A defective truck or component could also raise questions about whether a manufacturer or other party may bear responsibility.
Can More Than One Party Be Liable for a Minnesota Truck Accident?
Yes. One of the most important differences between a commercial truck accident and a typical car accident is the possibility that multiple parties share responsibility.
For example, a fatigued driver may make an unsafe maneuver while operating a truck with poorly maintained brakes. The investigation might reveal that the trucking company failed to adequately address safety concerns and that another company was responsible for maintaining the vehicle.
Minnesota’s comparative fault law allows responsibility to be allocated among parties whose conduct contributed to an injury. Determining fault can therefore require looking beyond the moments immediately before the collision to understand the decisions and failures that led to it.
Why Truck Accident Investigations Are Different
Commercial trucking cases can involve evidence that doesn’t typically exist after an ordinary passenger-vehicle crash. Depending on the case, an attorney may seek:
- Electronic logging device and hours-of-service records
- Vehicle inspection and maintenance records
- Driver qualification and training records
- Electronic vehicle or event data
- Dashcam or surveillance footage
- Dispatch and company communications
- Cargo and loading records
- Drug and alcohol testing information
Some of this evidence may be controlled by the trucking company or another business involved in the operation. Beginning an investigation promptly can help identify and preserve evidence that may be important to determining how the crash occurred.
Why Identifying Every Liable Party Matters
Semi-truck accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, multiple fractures, permanent disabilities, and wrongful death. Victims may face extensive medical treatment, months away from work, reduced earning capacity, and lifelong effects from their injuries.
When multiple people or companies contributed to the accident, identifying them can provide a more complete picture of what happened and which parties may be legally responsible for those losses.
At Sieben Edmunds Miller, our Minnesota truck accident attorneys investigate serious commercial vehicle crashes to determine what caused the collision and who may be held accountable. If you or a loved one was injured in a semi-truck accident, contact our team for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Semi-Truck Accident Claims
Who can be sued after a semi-truck accident in Minnesota?
Depending on the cause of the accident, potentially responsible parties may include the truck driver, trucking company, truck or trailer owner, cargo-loading company, maintenance provider, or a manufacturer. Every accident is different, so identifying responsible parties requires an investigation of the specific circumstances.
Is the trucking company always responsible when its driver causes an accident?
Not necessarily. Whether a trucking company is legally responsible depends on factors including its relationship with the driver and the circumstances that caused the crash. A company may also potentially face liability for its own actions, such as negligent hiring, training, supervision, or maintenance.
What happens if multiple parties caused a truck accident?
More than one person or company may potentially share fault. Minnesota’s comparative fault rules can affect how responsibility and damages are allocated when multiple parties contributed to an accident.
What evidence is important after a semi-truck accident?
Important evidence may include driver logs, electronic vehicle data, maintenance and inspection records, dashcam footage, company communications, cargo records, witness statements, photographs, and police reports. The evidence needed depends on what may have caused the crash.
How long do I have to sue after a truck accident in Minnesota?
The deadline depends on the circumstances and legal claims involved. Waiting can also make evidence more difficult to obtain, even when the legal filing deadline has not passed. Speaking with an attorney promptly can help identify applicable deadlines and preserve evidence.
Should I talk to the trucking company’s insurance company after an accident?
You should be cautious about giving statements or accepting a settlement before understanding your injuries and legal options. Commercial truck accidents may involve multiple insurers and potentially responsible companies. An attorney can communicate with insurers and evaluate any settlement offer on your behalf.
