After a serious truck accident, many people assume the driver is the only party responsible. In reality, commercial trucking operations involve multiple companies and individuals, all of whom may contribute to a crash. Determining liability is one of the most important steps in pursuing compensation after a truck accident in Maine.
Truck Accident Cases Often Involve Multiple Responsible Parties
Unlike a typical car accident, a commercial truck accident may involve a driver, trucking company, vehicle owner, cargo loading company, maintenance provider, or even a manufacturer. Each party has specific responsibilities, and failures at any level can contribute to a collision.
Identifying all potentially liable parties matters because each may have separate insurance coverage. In catastrophic injury and wrongful death cases, uncovering all available sources of compensation can make a significant difference in a family's financial recovery.
When the Truck Driver Is Liable
Truck drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicles safely. A driver may be held responsible for a crash if they engage in negligent behavior such as distracted driving, speeding, driving under the influence, or violating federal hours-of-service regulations.
Fatigue remains one of the most common concerns in trucking cases. Long hours behind the wheel can impair judgment and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of serious accidents. When a driver fails to follow safety regulations or road rules, they may be directly liable for the harm they cause.
When the Trucking Company Shares Responsibility
Trucking companies are often responsible for much more than simply employing drivers. They must hire qualified operators, provide proper training, maintain their vehicles, and comply with federal safety regulations.
A trucking company may be liable if it hires an unsafe driver, fails to monitor safety performance, pressures drivers to meet unrealistic schedules, or neglects vehicle maintenance. In many cases, a company can also be held responsible for a driver's actions while they are performing job duties.
These claims often require a detailed review of personnel records, training materials, maintenance logs, and internal safety policies.
Other Parties May Be Responsible
In some cases, liability extends beyond the driver and trucking company.
Cargo loaders and shipping companies can contribute to accidents when freight is improperly secured or loaded. Unbalanced cargo can cause rollovers, jackknife accidents, and loss of vehicle control.
Manufacturers may also be liable if a defective truck component contributed to the crash. Faulty brakes, steering systems, tires, or trailer components can create dangerous situations even when a driver is acting responsibly.
Maintenance providers can also share responsibility. If a repair shop overlooks a serious mechanical problem or performs faulty repairs, that negligence may contribute to a collision.
Maine's Fault Rules Matter
Maine follows a modified comparative negligence system. If an injured person is found partially responsible for a crash, their compensation may be reduced by their percentage of fault. However, if they are found 50 percent or more responsible, they may be barred from recovering damages altogether.
Because trucking companies and insurers often attempt to shift blame, conducting a thorough investigation is critical. Accident reconstruction, electronic data, witness statements, and company records can all play an important role in establishing fault.
Why Early Investigation Is Important
Trucking companies often begin investigating accidents immediately. Valuable evidence, such as electronic logging device data, onboard computer information, maintenance records, and surveillance footage, may not be available forever.
Taking steps to preserve evidence early can help ensure important information is not lost. A strong truck accident case often depends on obtaining records before they are overwritten, discarded, or otherwise unavailable.
Determining liability after a commercial truck accident requires more than reviewing a police report. It often involves uncovering the actions of multiple parties and examining complex evidence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident, the team at Berman & Simmons can help you understand your options and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to under Maine law.