Potential Parties To A Commercial Vehicle Accident Lawsuit
In an average car accident case in Florida, there is usually one plaintiff and one defendant. In an accident involving a commercial vehicle, however, it is possible to have many different defendants, which can make the legal process much more complex. If you have been in this type of accident with a commercial vehicle, it is important to identify all possible defendants. The right attorney can help.
The Driver. As one might imagine, a commercial vehicle driver is usually the first potential defendant on the list for an injured plaintiff. Their actions are most often the direct cause of any accident, though the alleged negligence of those actions is a matter for a jury. In addition, a driver’s actions may give rise to a legal doctrine known as vicarious liability. Vicarious liability holds that if an employee commits a tort while acting within the scope of their employment, their employer may be held responsible for any damages.
The Trucking Company. If they are the driver’s employer, they may be potentially liable due to vicarious liability, but even if they are not, the company that owns the commercial vehicle in question may have failed to properly maintain it, A failure to exercise reasonable care on the part of the maintainer can open the whole company to accusations of negligence.
Vehicle Or Part Manufacturers. Florida law recognizes an action for product liability, which means if an injured plaintiff can show that they would not have been injured (or not injured so severely) if not for the presence of a defective product. These types of lawsuits can be complex, but it is important to assign liability to the right person if their negligence caused harm.
Other Drivers. It is not uncommon for other drivers on the road to be a party to this kind of crash. When this occurs, they may be named as a defendant because they drove recklessly or caused the commercial vehicle to drive recklessly to avoid injury.
Contact A Tampa Commercial Vehicle Accident Attorney
Accidents involving commercial vehicles can lead to long-term life changes for victims. If you have been injured in a commercial vehicle accident, a Florida commercial vehicle accident attorney from the Rinaldo Law Group can help guide you through the legal process. Contact our office today to schedule a free consultation.
