When a commercial vehicle causes an accident, there may be many parties responsible for the damages. Federal regulations place responsibility on the trucker, the trucking company, the manufacturer of the truck and any other individuals or companies that have a role in ensuring the safety of the vehicle.
According to 13WMAZ, a woman’s family is suing multiple parties for the roles they allegedly played in her death after a semitruck tire hit her car on Interstate 75. These parties include the driver of the truck, who the suit alleges should have inspected his vehicle before beginning his day’s drive and noticed that the tires were not secure. The lawsuit also names the trucking company, citing negligence in its training of an employee, retaining him even though he was an alleged risk, and failing to maintain and inspect its vehicles, among other negligence claims.
The lawsuit states that two wheels came off the left side of the truck as it moved north, and one of these crossed the median to strike the woman’s windshield and hood, causing her to crash into a vehicle in the right lane and then into the concrete median. She died at the scene of the accident. The driver also faces criminal charges for his role in the accident.
Although a trucking company’s insurance may offer a settlement to victims of a crash, litigation may be an option that not only results in a larger amount, but also provides a sense of justice to those involved. People often turn to an attorney for advice about whether their circumstances may warrant a lawsuit.
