General negligence is a failure to exercise the care that a reasonably prudent person would exercise in similar circumstances.
Statutory negligence is a failure to perform a duty or observe a responsibility mandated by law.
In the case of a semi-truck accident, negligence can apply to:
A truck driver for failing to operate the truck with due care and attention
A trucking company for failing to provide a safe working environment for their drivers or failing to maintain their trucks and trailers to mandated standards
Freight loaders who allow payloads that weigh above legal limits on semi-trucks or otherwise keep their loading yards in an unsafe state for trucks
Truck and plant maintenance contractors who neglect to maintain vehicles in their service contracts to mandated standards
Authorities who fail to maintain roads and other public facilities for the safe transport of commercial loads