If you experience an accident with a large truck, it is worth your while to investigate every possibility for compensation. Even trucking company policies can be instrumental when determining fault after an accident with a commercial vehicle.
These policies govern how truck drivers operate their vehicles, maintain safety standards and respond to incidents on the road. Understanding these policies can strengthen your claim for damages.
Company policies dictate trucking guidelines
Many trucking companies require drivers to follow strict safety guidelines. These guidelines often include limits on driving hours, maintenance schedules and pre-trip inspections. If a driver violates these policies and causes an accident, the trucking company may be responsible. For example, if evidence shows a driver exceeded federally mandated hours of service or skipped a required inspection, this could indicate negligence.
Trucking companies must also adhere to hiring standards. Companies that fail to properly vet drivers may share liability for accidents. The trucking company must not neglect background checks or hire drivers with a history of reckless driving. Reviewing the company’s hiring policies can reveal if they ignored red flags during the hiring process.
Maintenance policies are another area that can provide evidence after an accident. Commercial trucks require regular maintenance to operate safely. If a company neglects scheduled repairs or allows unsafe trucks on the road, this failure may contribute to a crash. Maintenance logs can be valuable for proving that a truck was in poor condition at the time of the accident.
Other factors that can help your commercial accident case
Many companies equip their trucks with GPS devices, dashcams and electronic logging systems. These tools record information such as speed, braking patterns and hours of operation. Accessing this data can confirm whether the driver violated company policies or traffic laws.
Trucking companies often have internal processes for responding to accidents. These procedures might include notifying authorities, preserving evidence or reporting incidents promptly. If it comes to light that the company failed to follow its own protocols, this could also strengthen your claim.
By uncovering and leveraging violations of trucking company policies, you can build a strong case to recover damages. These policies help establish whether negligence occurred, making them a key factor in holding drivers and companies accountable after a commercial accident.