Who Is Liable After a Truck Accident? 

Like most accidents, there are many possible people or entities that could potentially be help liable for an accident. Some liability is determined by what or who caused an accident and some is determined by any liability laws that may exist in the state of California. 

In general, however, a truck driver is not usually the one who is held legally liable for an accident, it’s most often the trucking company who is held responsible. There are several reasons for this including the fact that employers can be held responsible for their employees in the case of accidents. Another reason, as stated above is trucking companies will sometimes pressure their drivers to break trucking regulations in order to help their bottom line. In some cases, a truck driver is the one held liable particularly if the accident was caused by their negligence, such as driving while drunk or in some circumstances if they are liability if they personally own the truck involved in the crash. There are other parties that can be held liable, although it happens less often, such as a truck manufacturer or the cargo loading team. 

What Are the Hours of Service Regulations?

Truck drivers are required to follow more regulations than other motor vehicles while on and off the road. These regulations are so strict for a good reason, the amount of damage a truck can cause when it collides with another smaller vehicle is profound. 

While there are many causes of truck accidents, one of the most common ones is driving fatigue. In general, trucking companies save money when their drivers deliver their goods as quickly as possible. As a result, many trucking companies were putting pressure on their truckers to drive through the night or take limited rest breaks. 

Policy makers realized the danger this was causing and passed the hours of service regulation which regulates how long a trucker can be on the road and when they must take breaks. These set of rules protects truck drivers from being too overworked by the company they work for. 

According to these rules: 

• Truck drivers can work a maximum of 14 hours in a day but can only be on the road for 11 hours
• Drivers must rest for at least 10 hours before starting a new day at work
• Truck drivers must take days off at regular intervals

People can of course break these laws, raising the chances that an accident will happen. Our team of experienced Santa Rosa truck accident attorneys will conduct a thorough investigation into your case to determine the cause of the accident, and who should be held liable for your injuries.

Why You Should Hire a Santa Rosa Truck Accident Attorney

Recovering the compensation you deserve after a truck accident without an experienced attorney can be very challenging. Trucking companies are generally backed by top-level attorneys who are hired to protect their company at all costs, and in turn, keep you from recovering the full compensation you deserve. The Santa Rosa truck accident attorney at Flahavan Law Offices is experienced in handling California truck accident claims and knows what to expect throughout the entire process. Reach out to our firm today to learn more about how we can help you with your case.

Don’t Wait to Get Help With Your Truck Accident Case

The Santa Rosa truck accident lawyers are experienced in investigating truck accident claims and we are ready to help you today! We understand what you and your family are going through after an accident, which is why we are dedicated to offering personalized, compassionate representation for the injured.  Our experienced personal injury attorney, Brian Flahavan is backed by nearly 20 years of legal experience and a track record of success. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a truck accident, don’t hesitate to contact our firm. We will discuss your case during a free consultation. 

Have you or a loved one suffered injuries in a truck accident? Contact our skilled Santa Rosa truck accident lawyer today to arrange your free, no-obligation consultation.