If you have been injured in a commercial truck crash, understanding how and when trucking companies are liable is crucial to securing fair compensation. Trucking companies often have significantly more insurance coverage and assets than individual truck drivers, making them important defendants in personal injury cases. By pursuing claims against trucking companies, injured parties can improve their chances of recovering damages that cover medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

The Legal Basis for Trucking Company Liability: Respondeat Superior

One of the primary legal theories used to hold trucking companies responsible for crashes involving their drivers is called respondeat superior. This Latin phrase means “let the master answer” and holds employers liable for negligent acts committed by their employees while performing job duties.

When a truck driver is hired as an employee, they are considered an agent of the trucking company. If the driver causes a crash while working, such as driving a delivery route or transporting goods, the trucking company can be held responsible for those actions. This is because the driver’s conduct is legally imputed to the employer.

However, liability generally requires that the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash. If the driver was running a personal errand or using the truck for non-work purposes, the company may not be liable. In most commercial truck crash cases, though, the driver is on the job, making the trucking company liable for damages.

Why Suing the Trucking Company Matters?

Trucking companies are required by federal law to maintain minimum insurance coverage to protect against liability from crashes. For most freight carriers, this minimum coverage is at least $750,000, though it can be much higher for trucks carrying hazardous materials or oversized loads. Many companies purchase insurance policies that far exceed these minimums to protect their business.

Having access to a trucking company’s insurance policy is critical because it provides a larger source of compensation than pursuing only the truck driver individually. If the insurance limits are insufficient, injured parties can also seek to recover damages from the company’s assets.

Large trucking companies often employ experienced defense attorneys and have significant resources to fight claims. For this reason, having a skilled truck crash lawyer who understands trucking laws and insurance complexities is essential.

When Are Trucking Companies Not Liable? Independent Contractors?

Not all truck drivers are employees. Some trucking companies use independent contractors to haul their loads. Generally, trucking companies are not liable for the negligence of independent contractors because these drivers operate their own businesses.

However, there are exceptions. Trucking companies can be held liable if they negligently hired or retained an independent contractor with a known history of safety violations or crashes. Moreover, courts may look beyond labels—if the company exerts substantial control over how the driver operates, the driver may be deemed an employee under the law, making the company liable.

Independent contractors are required to carry their own insurance, often meeting the same federal minimum standards as trucking companies. This means injured parties still have avenues for compensation even when the trucking company is not directly liable.

Contact the Albuquerque Truck Crash Lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial vehicle crash, it is important to speak with an experienced attorney who can protect your rights. The Albuquerque truck crash lawyers at Buchanan Law Firm, LLC offer free initial consultations to review your case. Call us today at 505-900-3559 or contact us online. Our office is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and we proudly serve clients throughout Santa Fe and the surrounding communities.