Who Can You Sue After a Truck Accident in Texas?

Getting into an accident with a big truck can mean death or serious injury. Due to their size and bulk, people rarely walk away unharmed from the accident. As the number of trucks on the roadways continues to increase, the chances of a crash also rise.

If the accident was the result of someone else’s negligence, holding that person accountable and responsible is essential. If you sustained life-changing injuries, you can fight to get the compensation you need.

Filing a lawsuit after a truck accident in Texas is not the same as other vehicle accidents, mainly because different entities may be responsible for what happened. If you are wondering who you can sue after a truck accident, it may be one or more of the following:

The Truck Driver

In many accidents involving trucks, the cause was driver negligence. If this is true in your case, getting the compensation you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses may require suing the truck driver.

When it comes to examples of how the driver may have been at fault, these include:

• Speeding
• Driving recklessly
• Driving while distracted or tired
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol

If the driver ignored the Federal Hours of Service Regulations, which limits the number of hours they can be on the road, this could be another reason to sue.

The Trucking Company

Truck drivers are employed by a trucking company. Their company may share some of the responsibility for the accident, which means you may be able to sue them for compensation.

Before exploring this route, it’s essential to understand the relationship between the truck driver and the trucking company. Some companies might claim that the driver was an independent contractor, which would limit their involvement in the suit and put all the blame on the driver.

To find out for sure if going after the trucking company is worth your time and effort, you should talk to a McAllen truck accident lawyer. An experienced attorney will help you figure out the best way to pursue your case.

The Truck Manufacturer or Designer

If the accident was caused by the truck having a defective part, you may sue the designer or manufacturer. Depending on the case, you can even go after other parties involved in the supply chain that might be responsible for quality control.

Some of the most common product defects that have contributed to truck accidents include:

• Tire blowouts
• Failures of the steering system
• Failures with the brake lines
• Trailer attachment failure
• Transmission or engine failure

Even something as minor as defective lights can end up causing severe or fatal accidents. If the lights are not working properly, drivers on the road may not have clear visibility of the truck. They will also not be able to correctly interpret the truck driver's intentions.

The Truck Mechanic

The maintenance of trucks is essential in ensuring their safety and ability to reach their destination. They will put thousands of miles on their odometers each month, and if the mechanic who is supposed to keep the truck running in optimum condition fails at their job, you may be able to sue them for negligence.

The Company Shipping the Products

To ship as much product to customers as possible, some companies will overload trucks or load them unevenly. If either of these practices contributed to the accident, you can go after the shipping company for compensation.

Determining if the product inside the truck was the cause of the accident may take some time and investigation. Working with a professional lawyer is in your best interest.

The Responsible Party Has to Pay

Getting into an accident with a big truck can change your life forever. You deserve compensation to ensure you are living your life to the best of your abilities.

When it comes to accidents involving trucks, there can be many responsible parties. Working with a lawyer will ensure you go after the correct party responsible and receive the compensation you need.