When you’ve been involved in a serious accident with a commercial truck, your first thought may be to hold the driver accountable. But in many cases, the trucking company behind the wheel has legal responsibility too. Understanding when and how a trucking company can be held liable is key to recovering the full compensation you deserve.
At our Denver personal injury law firm, we regularly represent survivors of truck accidents and help them uncover who is truly at fault—including the companies that hire, train, and supervise truck drivers.
When Is a Trucking Company Legally Liable?
Under Colorado and federal law, a trucking company may be liable for an accident under several legal theories:
- Negligent Hiring or Training
If a trucking company hires a driver with a poor safety record, criminal history, or lack of proper qualifications, they may be held liable for negligent hiring. Similarly, if the company fails to properly train drivers on safety protocols or vehicle handling, they may share responsibility for the crash. - Poor Vehicle Maintenance
Federal regulations require routine inspections and maintenance of commercial trucks. If the company fails to maintain brakes, tires, lights, or other critical systems and that failure leads to a crash, the company can be found at fault. - Hours of Service Violations
Truck drivers are subject to strict rules limiting how many hours they can drive without rest. If a company pressures drivers to falsify logbooks or violate hours-of-service regulations to meet unrealistic deadlines, they can be held accountable for resulting accidents. - Vicarious Liability (Respondeat Superior)
Even if the company didn’t directly do anything wrong, they can still be held liable for the actions of their employee under the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior.” If the driver was acting within the scope of their employment at the time of the crash, the employer is typically on the hook for injuries resulting from the accident.
Independent Contractors vs. Employees
One gray area in trucking liability involves the employment status of the driver. Some trucking companies attempt to avoid liability by labeling their drivers as independent contractors. However, courts will look beyond the label to assess the level of control the company had over the driver. If the company dictated the driver’s schedule, routes, or other work details, they may still be held liable.
Who Can I Sue For Damages?
Trucking accidents often result in catastrophic injuries, from brain trauma to spinal cord damage. Suing only the driver may not be enough, especially if they lack insurance or personal assets. Trucking companies typically carry much higher insurance limits and are better equipped to compensate survivors for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Get Legal Help After a Truck Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Colorado, don’t assume the driver is the only party responsible. Our Denver-based legal team will investigate every aspect of your case to identify all sources of liability, including the trucking company, maintenance contractors, and cargo loaders.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We work hard to hold negligent parties accountable and get you the justice you deserve. Contact Keating Wagner today for assistance with your personal injury claim.
