Connecticut Trucking Company Negligence Lawyer Holds Carriers Accountable
Pursuing fair compensation for victims of trucking accidents in Connecticut
Common carriers, also known as trucking companies, are essential to interstate commerce. The transportation industry is subject to extensive regulations meant to ensure the safety of drivers and others on the roadways. Unfortunately, some companies cut corners on compliance. This and other types of negligence increase the likelihood of a truck accident. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a collision with a tractor-trailer, semi-truck or other large commercial vehicle, the company that owns or leases the truck may be legally responsible. These companies and their insurers have deep legal resources, which they employ in attempting to reduce or deny payouts on accident claims. When you retain Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C., you get an established personal injury law firm with the skill and experience to pursue justice even against the most powerful defendants.
When are trucking companies liable for accidents?
A trucking company may be liable to pay damages when one of its trucks is involved in an accident. The law makes employers legally responsible for the harm their workers cause while on the job. This is known as vicarious liability. So, when drivers employed by a company cause trucking accidents, an injured party can hold the company accountable. However, there are also situations where the company is directly responsible for causing an accident.
Inadequate maintenance
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), a division of the U.S. Department of Transportation, regulates trucking companies and sets safety requirements, including regular inspection and maintenance of vehicles. Unfortunately, a trucking company might skimp on maintenance and put a vehicle back into service despite its dangerous condition. This makes the company directly liable for any harm that results.
Pressure to meet deadlines
Trucking companies contract with shippers to deliver cargo by a certain date. This can put pressure on dispatchers, drivers and maintenance personnel to meet deadlines, even those that are unreasonable. The FMSCA strictly limits the number of hours a driver can serve behind the wheel, yet dispatchers rushing to meet deadlines might unlawfully extend a driver’s service. Drivers, in turn, might limit or forego mandatory rest periods, making them subject to fatigue and thus more likely to cause accidents.
Negligent hiring of unqualified drivers
Driving a tractor-trailer on interstate highways and through urban centers requires a high degree of skill and training. Yet, trucking companies very often cannot find a sufficient number of qualified drivers. Companies may fail to assess drivers’ skill and experience before hiring them. If the accident’s cause can be traced to the negligence hiring of an unqualified driver, the company may be liable.
Negligent loading practices
There is a science to loading cargo so it does not upset the balance of the truck. When companies load cargo improperly, it can shift, making the trailer unstable. Poorly loaded cargo can also make a trailer harder to stop and more likely to jackknife or to tip over on turns. Loading of trucks is sometimes done by the cargo shipper. A sound legal strategy is such cases is to join both the trucking company and the shipper in a lawsuit, since the liability may be shared. Our attorneys work tirelessly to hold all responsible parties accountable.
Contact our accomplished Connecticut lawyers for your truck accident case
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in East Haven and Hamden represents injured victims of truck accidents throughout Connecticut. To set up a free consultation with an experienced personal injury lawyer, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.