When a trucker causes an accident, he is primarily responsible for his negligent actions. Unless he is self-employed and personally owns the truck, other parties may share responsibility for a trucker’s actions.
Potentially liable parties may include:
Trucking companies: If a trucker is working as an employee, his employer typically shares liability for his actions. An employer may be liable for negligent hiring practices if they knew of a driver’s poor record (or should have known) and allowed him to drive anyway. Trucking companies monitor and enforce trucker training and licensing standards. United States Transportation codes also require that trucking companies randomly test truckers for alcohol and substance abuse.
Truck owners: If a separate company leases the truck to a trucking company, the owner of the truck may share liability for the driver’s actions or the truck’s performance defects.
Independent Contractors: When an independent service provider performs maintenance and repairs, they may be liable if an accident was caused by inadequate maintenance or failed repairs.
Truck manufacturers: A manufacturer may be liable when a truck defect or component defect causes or contributes to an accident.
Shipping contractors: When a load shift causes an accident, the company that loaded the trailer or flatbed may share responsibility for their negligent actions.