Multiple Parties at Play

Semi-trucks are so ubiquitous we often don’t consider the number of parties involved in
getting our products from Point A to Point B, and thus, the number of parties who could
be responsible or held liable for a truck driving accident. Truck drivers, trucking
companies, truck and/or trailer owners, shipping and loading companies, load brokers or third- party logistics companies, and even the manufacturers of truck, trailer, or other related equipment could be found liable for a truck accident in Michigan.

Truck Drivers

The driver of a truck involved in a truck accident in Michigan is the most obvious party
who could be found liable for causing a truck accident, most commonly due to fatigue,
inattention, unsafe driving, or speed, and occasionally due to lack of training. If an
accident occurs due to improperly loading or securing a cargo load, a driver may share
in that responsibility as well.

Trucking Companies vs. Truck Owners

A truck company can also be found liable for a truck accident in Michigan for
overworking drivers, pressuring them to ignore regulations like driver hours, ignoring
safety checks or other vehicle maintenance, or failing to provide drivers with proper
training.

Because of an “owner liability” law that exists in Michigan and some other states, the
owner of a truck may be found liable for an injury caused by the negligent operation,
most commonly in a case where the driver and trucking company are not found to be
liable for an accident

Cargo Shippers and Manufacturers

If an accident occurs due to the improper loading or securing of cargo, such as overloading or failing to inspect, the cargo shipper or loader can be found liable.

If the accident is caused from a mechanical failure or defective truck part, the liability may fall on the manufacturer of the truck itself or truck part.

Determining Liability

Michigan uses a comparative fault system to determine liability and award compensation
to victims based on who was acting most negligent and whether that negligence resulted in a crash. In truck accident cases where multiple parties are involved that may share responsibility for an accident, an experienced truck accident attorney from Kajy Law can help you get the compensation you’re entitled to.

If you have been injured in a truck driving accident, call 248-988-0949 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation with a Kajy attorney