Liable Parties in California Commercial Vehicle Accidents

Following a crash caused by any kind of commercial motor vehicle in California, victims frequently sustain serious injuries and need assistance identifying negligent parties to seek compensation from. While truck drivers can often be at fault for many of these wrecks, the drivers rarely have enough personal insurance limits or assets to pay the significant damages that may result from commercial vehicle accidents.

However, drivers are rarely the only party that may be liable to victims. The Los Angeles Injury Group conducts independent investigations of all kinds of commercial vehicle crashes in California and works to hold all negligent parties accountable. You can have our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer provide a complete evaluation of your case as soon as you call (310) 954-7248 to schedule a free consultation.

Types of Liable Parties in Commercial Vehicle Accidents in California

While drivers are often assumed to be the people at fault for causing commercial vehicle accidents, the truth is that these types of wrecks can frequently be the result of complex mechanical issues. In such cases, a party other than the driver could be liable to victims because of a failure to adequately or properly maintain the vehicle.
Some of the most common examples of other parties besides drivers who may be named in lawsuits filed by victims include:

• Commercial Vehicle Owner — Owners of commercial vehicles are frequently liable in many accidents. Separate companies may own the cab and trailer, but both could potentially be liable. Owner liability becomes more complex when a vehicle has been leased to another company.
• Commercial Company or Driver’s Employer — A company could be vicariously liable in a commercial vehicle accident if the driver was an employee of the company. Similarly, a third-party company responsible for hiring the driver could be liable in certain cases, such as crashes caused by a driver operating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Commercial companies can also be liable for failure to comply with federal regulations or properly maintain their vehicles.
• Vehicle Part Manufacturers — When a commercial vehicle accident is the result of any kind of faulty or defective automotive part, the company or party that manufactured the part could be liable.
• Maintenance Company — A third-party maintenance company could be to blame when an accident is the result of a failure to perform a certain repair or to perform the repair properly.
• Freight Owners — Many commercial companies have specific freight insurance or liability policies to protect them in the event that anything occurs with the freight their vehicles are carrying, but freight owners could be liable in situations in which the freight is not properly loaded and that mismanagement subsequently causes an accident.
• Other Vehicles — It is not uncommon for commercial motor vehicle accidents to involve multiple automobiles. Any one of those other drivers could actually be the party determined to be at fault for causing the crash, and other parties could also be liable for actions that contributed to a victim’s injuries.

Find a Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney in California

Did you suffer severe injuries or was your loved one killed in a commercial vehicle accident in California? You will want to contact the Los Angeles Injury Group as soon as possible.

Our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer can fight to help you obtain all of the compensation you need and deserve. Call (310) 954-7248 or contact us online to have our attorney review your case and discuss all of your legal options.