Fatal truck crashes have seen a decline in recent years, with 4,890 in 2023 and 4,540 in 2024, after a peak in 2022. As of June 6, 2025, 1,330 fatal truck crashes have been reported, according to ConsumerShield.
A truck accident could involve a large truck, such as an 18-wheeler or semi-truck, a delivery truck, or another commercial vehicle. Truck accidents may occur between a truck and a car, motorcycle, bicycle, or even a pedestrian.
According to a Mesa truck accident lawyer, truck accident victims often endure life-altering injuries, for example, spinal cord damage, traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, and severe burns. These physical injuries are frequently accompanied by emotional trauma, loss of income, and mounting medical bills.
Who is liable for your accident and who will pay for the damages you sustained? Let’s find out below!
Understanding Truck Accident Liability
A truck accident leaves someone confused about identifying fault and where to lay blame for damages and injuries. In some cases, possible liable parties include the truck driver, the employer, the manufacturer, and even maintenance workers.
You would also be checking for the adherence or otherwise of the driver to traffic law or whether some defect was in the truck itself. Concepts of negligence and vicarious liability also tend to surface.
If the trucker is working for someone else when the accident happens, that person may also be responsible.
Records from the police and comments from witnesses will aid your truck accident lawsuit. Talking to a lawyer with a lot of experience can also help you deal with the challenges in the legal process.
Common Causes of Truck Accidents
Recognizing common causes of truck-related accidents is something a driver or a pedestrian must know. One major cause of accidents is fatigue. Prolonged driving leads to drowsiness and impaired judgment.
Distracted driving is another contributing factor to accidents. Distracted driving happens when the driver talks to someone on the cell phone or plays around with the radio. If the trucker loses concentration, it becomes easier to miss significant signals and hazards.
Bad vehicle maintenance can also lead to accidents. Lack of inspections on defects may lead to brake failures or tire blowouts on the road. Rain or fog may create very unsafe conditions for trucks or other large vehicles.
Truckers should never overload or improperly load trucks, as the extra weight will shift the center of gravity and make the truck harder to control. If you know the common causes, you can also factor them in as possible safety hazards.
Parties That May Be Held Liable
Most of the time, the truck driver is to blame for any injuries, especially if they were reckless or broke traffic laws while driving.
Liability may not merely fall on the driver, as the truck company may also bear some responsibility if they neglected the maintenance of a vehicle or made an undue demand on a driver to work long hours.
The truck’s manufacturer can be held liable too if an accident occurs resulting from a vehicle’s defective parts. If improper loading of the cargo contributed to the truck being in a dangerous condition, third-party logistics companies and cargo loaders may be held liable.
Steps to Take After a Truck Accident
What you do at the crime scene following the accident may jeopardize your safety and claimability. Check for personal or shared injuries. Call 911 for injuries. Set your automobile aside from traffic if safe.
Begin scene documentation. Photograph the vehicles and visible damage. Write down the time, place, and weather of the incident for future reference.
Give the truck driver your name, contact information, and insurance information. You may also want to get information from witnesses that lend support to your side of the story. When the police arrive, only state the facts. Don’t admit fault under any circumstances.
Maintain your appointment records with the doctor, along with payments made for medical services provided. This will assist you in laying down solid evidence for any future claim.
Legal Options for Victims of Truck Accidents
After a truck accident, you may be wondering how to get compensation for your injuries. If the truck driver was negligent, pursue a personal injury claim. Your claim may include the trucking company if their coverage applied to the accident.
Get police records and witness accounts that could help you. A lawyer will help organize these documents for your case. To secure fair recompense for truck accident injuries, a personal injury lawyer will handle the complications.
Never forget the expenses that are associated with dealing with medical costs, losing wages, or even feeling mental pain. Help is always available and you should safeguard your rights while going through this difficult time.
