It's possible a trucking company can be liable for a truck accident. It will depend on whether there's an established employment relationship between the trucker and the trucking company.
Many truckers are essentially independent operators who may own or lease their own vehicles. They will hire with a company in what is essentially a free-lance capacity. If you’re involved in an accident with a trucker who's an independent contractor, the company he was temporarily working for at the time of the accident may not bear any responsibility.
If, on the other hand, an employment relationship between the trucking company and driver exists and can be proven, then the company can become legally liable for the driver’s negligence.
The trucking company's liability also depends on the quality of supervision the company exercised over the trucker. Did the company push the driver to work beyond the hours-of-service limits? Did they encourage and fund proper maintenance?
If you've been in a truck accident, you’ll need the expertise of an attorney experienced in trucking regulations. The laws can get complicated, and liability isn't always easy to prove.
Call us today at 816-842-7100 to speak with an attorney that will fight to get you the compensation you deserve. Or you can click here to email us and schedule your free consultation.