It does not seem possible that a truck company could skirt the law and not take responsibility for the losses they may owe. Yet, with an ever-increasing number of vehicles on the roadways and more pressure to deliver faster, the risks of being in such an accident continue to grow. How can trucking companies avoid responsibility for an accident? By shifting the blame, not hiring employees, and even handling their own investigation, they may have more ways than you realize to limit the compensation you know they owe you.
If you are hurt in a truck accident, do not assume the insurance company will treat you fairly. Hire the Phoenix, AZ truck accident attorney at Sargon Law Group to make sure of it.
Truck Companies Have Responsibility on the Roadways
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has specific rules and regulations in place to minimize the risk of commercial truck and bus operators from causing serious accidents. These rules govern areas such as:
- The education and training of those behind the wheel
- The requirement for drug and alcohol testing
- Hours of service rules to prevent fatigue
- Vehicle maintenance requirements
Drivers and truck companies may be held accountable for violations of these or other road laws.
Ways Trucking Companies Avoid Responsibility for Accidents
Insurance companies, trucking companies, and truck drivers may use one or more of these strategies to limit their financial responsibility after a truck accident happens:
- Blaming others: Proving the other driver, other motorists on the road, or even a deer for an accident is one way they may try to shift blame. In some situations, trucking companies will demonstrate that the driver (who is not their employee) caused the accident or the city failed to maintain the roadway.
- Handling the investigation: No one can be trusted to self-police their efforts. In some situations, insurance companies or trucking companies may hire investigators to find out what happened. These internal investigations rarely show that the truck company was to blame.
- Using independent contractors: One of the most impactful ways trucking companies limit their financial responsibility is to not employ the truck drivers themselves. Instead, they use independent contractors who maintain that liability on their own, shifting the blame and responsibility to the driver after an accident.
In each of these situations, it can be very difficult for victims to prove that the trucking company is responsible for the injuries and losses you have. Some situations may result in other parties taking the blame, such as the independent contractors’ much lower-valued liability insurance policy or a third-party mechanic who failed to tighten a bolt. The bottom line is that truck companies will shift the blame so they do not have to pay for the losses. If this happens in your situation, it could limit the amount of compensation you can recover from the accident.
The best way to prevent this from occurring in your situation is to hire an experienced truck accident attorney who will conduct an investigation on your behalf. That ensures accurate information is always available.
Call Sargon Law Group Today
The Phoenix personal injury team at Sargon Law Group can help you to navigate these legal steps. If you were hurt in a truck accident, do not wait to contact our legal team to get the guidance you need to prove what your losses are and who is responsible for them.