When a semi-truck crash causes serious injury, most people assume the truck driver is the only one at fault. Distracted driving, risky maneuvers, or driving while tired are all major causes of truck accidents, but liability in these cases often extends much further.

Commercial trucking involves multiple parties, each with legal responsibilities. If any of them, such as the trucking company, cargo loader, or parts manufacturers, fail to uphold safety standards, they may share liability for your injuries.

Understanding who can be sued after a truck accident is the first step toward recovering the compensation you need to rebuild your life. Learn what parties may be liable and how experienced Chattanooga truck accident lawyers can help with your claim.

The Truck Driver

Truck drivers often carry primary responsibility for an accident. They must follow safety rules, drive carefully, and maintain attention on the road. Common driver-related causes of semi-truck crashes include:

  • Speeding or aggressive driving
  • Fatigue from violating hours-of-service rules
  • Impaired driving (alcohol, drugs, or prescription misuse)
  • Distracted driving (cell phone use, GPS manipulation, eating)

Depending on the circumstances of the collision, you may be able to hold the truck driver personally liable or file a claim against their employer for damages.

The Trucking Company

Trucking companies often share legal responsibility when their actions contribute to a crash. That responsibility can come from several types of negligence:

  • Negligent Hiring or Retention: Hiring drivers with a poor safety record, an expired license, or past DUIs puts others at risk and may lead to liability.
  • Improper Training: Some companies skip proper training on vehicle handling, emergency response, or driving in poor weather.
  • Pressuring Drivers to Break the Rules: Tight delivery schedules can lead companies to push drivers to exceed legal drive-time limits, skip rest breaks, or falsify logs, increasing the chance of a fatigue-related crash.
  • Failure to Maintain Trucks: When a company ignores routine maintenance, it can lead to mechanical failures, such as brake issues or tire blowouts.
  • Vicarious Liability: This legal doctrine states that when an employee is on the clock, they are acting as an agent of their employer and thus the employer is responsible for their actions, including negligence.

A Chattanooga truck collision lawyer can review logs, maintenance reports, and company policies to find evidence of negligence and hold the company accountable.

The Truck Owner (If Different From the Company or Driver)

Trucking operations can involve leasing or subcontracting arrangements. The truck may be owned by one party, utilized by another, and driven by someone else entirely.

If the truck owner didn’t keep the vehicle in a safe condition or ignored necessary repairs before giving it over for use, they can be sued for negligent maintenance.

Brokers

When companies that need to move cargo don’t own their own trucks and need to hire dedicated shipping companies, they often use brokers to connect them to trucking companies and commercial truck drivers.

When brokers fail to properly vet truck companies and drivers to ensure they are certified and qualified, those brokers can also be held liable.

Cargo Loaders

Properly loading cargo is critical to truck safety and is governed by federal safety standards. Shifting or spilled cargo can throw the truck off balance, increase the risk of a rollover, or send debris onto the roadway.

If a third-party company loads the truck improperly or fails to secure the contents, it may be liable for any resulting crash.

Truck or Component Manufacturers

Sometimes, a defective part causes a truck crash. Faulty brakes, tire blowouts, steering column defects, or trailer hitch failures can lead to loss of control. If a manufacturing flaw contributed to the accident, the parts manufacturer or distributor may be responsible.

Why It’s Vital to Identify All Liable Parties

Truck crashes often cause life-altering injuries and leave victims facing steep medical bills and lost income. Since more than one party may be responsible, and each may have separate insurance, identifying all sources of liability gives you the best chance at winning a fair settlement.

A settlement may cover:

  • Emergency medical care and hospitalization
  • Ongoing treatment or rehabilitation
  • Lost wages and future earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of enjoyment of life

Because the financial stakes are so high, trucking companies often bring in aggressive legal teams and insurers to limit payouts. A qualified attorney can step in early to protect your claim and fight for the full value of what you’ve lost.

How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help You Recover Compensation

Truck crashes are often more complex than typical car accidents. Commercial vehicle regulations, mechanical factors, and the severity of injuries raise the stakes.

An experienced lawyer can take immediate steps to protect your case, including:

  • Gather vital evidence, such as black box data, driver logs, maintenance records, dashcam footage, and witness statements
  • Subpoena company records to uncover safety violations or ignored regulations
  • Bring in experts to analyze crash details, medical impact, and vehicle failures
  • Handle negotiations with multiple insurers to keep the process moving and pursue maximum compensation

At Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, P.C., our Tennessee truck accident attorneys investigate every angle, identify all liable parties, and develop strong legal strategies to recover the financial support you need for long-term care.

Talk to a Truck Accident Attorney Today

After a serious truck crash, dealing with physical injuries, emotional distress, and aggressive insurers can be overwhelming. You shouldn’t have to carry that burden by yourself. At Gary Massey Injury Lawyers, P.C., we provide compassionate support throughout the legal process so you can focus on healing while we fight for the outcome you need.

Our track record includes results like $1.25 million for a woman injured in a commercial truck collision and $998,000 for a man rear-ended by a tractor-trailer. We always promise our full effort, attention to detail, and legal experience in every case.

Contact us today for a free consultation. Let’s discuss your options and how we can help you take the next step.