Negligence by Trucking Companies and Your Legal Rights

When you’re driving next to a massive semi-truck on the highway, you expect that the driver and the company behind them are taking safety seriously. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. Trucking companies are under constant pressure to deliver goods quickly, which can sometimes lead to cutting corners on safety. When trucking company negligence is involved, the results can be devastating—often leading to accidents that cause life-changing injuries.​

Let’s break down how negligence by trucking companies can cause crashes, what trucking company accident liability looks like, and the advantages of hiring a truck accident attorney.​

How Negligence Leads to Accidents

There are many ways a company’s negligence leads to an accident. Here are some of the most common scenarios:

1. Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Big rigs require constant upkeep—brake checks, tire inspections, engine maintenance. If a trucking company skips or delays these safety checks, it puts everyone on the road at risk. A truck with worn-out brakes or blown tires is a disaster waiting to happen.

2. Unrealistic Delivery Schedules

Some trucking companies push their drivers to meet impossible deadlines. This often leads to fatigued driving; tired drivers behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound truck can’t react as quickly as they should, leading to serious collisions.

3. Inadequate Driver Training

Truck driving is a skilled job. Companies that fail to properly vet their drivers—or don’t provide enough training—may end up putting inexperienced or unqualified drivers on the road.

4. Ignoring Federal Safety Regulations

The trucking industry is heavily regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). From limits on driving hours to weight restrictions, these rules are designed to keep roads safe. When trucking companies ignore these rules, they’re directly contributing to dangerous conditions.

Trucking Company Accident Liability

So, what happens if you’re involved in an accident caused by a truck? You may be wondering: can you sue a trucking company? The short answer is yes. Trucking company accident liability comes into play when the company’s negligence directly caused or contributed to the crash. That might mean failing to maintain the truck, forcing drivers to work unsafe hours, or hiring someone who wasn’t qualified.​

It’s not always easy to prove trucking company responsibility for accidents, though. These companies often have legal teams and insurance carriers working to protect their bottom line. Are you considering suing a trucking company? You need to remember that evidence is key. Proving negligence by trucking companies requires evidence such as maintenance records, driver schedules, hiring records, and sometimes even “black box” data from the truck itself.

​Things get even more complicated when multiple parties are involved. In some cases, the trucking company, the driver, the maintenance provider, or even the manufacturer of a defective truck part could share responsibility. Keep in mind that settlements can be significant. Because truck accidents often cause severe injuries and high medical costs, settlement amounts can be larger than in regular car accident cases. What does this mean for you? It simply indicates that you need a legal professional who has experience in the trucking industry.

Do You Need Legal Help?

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident, understanding your rights is crucial. Going up against a trucking company on your own is extremely difficult. These companies have resources that individual accident victims usually don’t. However, with the guidance of a trusted personal injury attorney in Los Angeles, you can navigate the legal landscape with confidence.

Have more questions or need legal advice? Contact our personal injury law firm in North Hollywood to schedule a consultation. Since 1998, Yepremyan Law has helped thousands of clients throughout Southern California recover millions of dollars in compensation. We offer 24/7 support and complimentary case evaluations to help injured victims access the necessary assistance they need when they need it.

​Call us today to speak with a dedicated truck accident attorney in North Hollywood who can help. Yepremyan Law Firm works on a contingency basis for all personal injury matters. This means you pay nothing unless your case has been settled or won—no recovery, no fee. 

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