It is well understood that commercial vehicle drivers have additional requirements to be allowed to operate these large tractor-trailers. However, in addition to local regulations setting standards for semi-truck drivers and their employers, they must also abide by federal trucking laws. In Denton, our experienced attorneys are well-versed in the different requirements big rig operators must meet and could help determine if they were violating these standards at the time of your wreck.
Who Could Be Liable for a Tractor-Trailer Wreck?
In most cases, the truck driver themselves is going to be held liable and their employer’s insurance company with pay for the damages caused by the trucker. However, the trucking company itself can be held liable under direct negligence theories under certain circumstances such as if they did not maintain the truck in accordance with federal regulations, if they were negligent in hiring or in supervising their driver. Last of all, in certain rare situations, the freight broker or shipper who hired the trucking company can be held responsible for hiring a trucking company with a particularly bad driving record. A local truck injury attorney could review the case to determine the correct liable party.
