Yes, trucking companies can sometimes be held responsible if a driver makes a mistake and causes a serious accident. This is why trucking companies often carry substantial insurance policies, as injury victims may sue both the company and the truck driver.
That said, certain things have to be demonstrated to show that the company was negligent or should be held responsible. Below are two examples.
Maintenance standards
To begin with, trucks must be properly maintained, and upkeep needs to be done on a set schedule. This reduces the odds of a malfunction—such as a truck’s brakes failing on an incline—causing an accident. A trucking company should always strive to uphold these maintenance standards.
Driver training
Another issue is if drivers do not have the right qualifications or the proper training. The company is responsible for screening candidates and only hiring those who have the correct license and who meet other requirements.
Defense options after an accident
As such, for the owner of a trucking company who has been targeted by a lawsuit, the key to their defense strategy is often providing evidence and documentation showing that the company has upheld its responsibility. Documentation could include records of training the driver received, for instance, or detailed maintenance records showing that the truck itself was not being neglected.
That does not necessarily stop a truck driver from making a critical error and causing a car accident, but it can help the trucking company demonstrate that the driver was solely responsible and that the company itself was not. These are very complex cases, so it can help to work with an experienced attorney.