When a truck accident happens, figuring out who is to blame is rarely simple. Because the shipping business uses complex networks, outside contractors and rental deals, a single crash can often be linked back to the mistakes of several different companies.
How different companies share the blame
A few different trucking-related businesses might be responsible for a single accident depending on what caused it:
- Trucking companies and independent drivers: Under trucking rules and Kentucky law, if a big trucking company hires an independent driver, both the company and the truck owner may share the legal blame.
- Shipping brokers: If a broker is careless and hires a trucking company with a known history of safety problems, courts may hold the broker responsible along with the carrier.
- Loading companies: If loaders fail to tie down cargo properly or load it too heavily, it can cause a semi truck to lose control. In these cases, the company that loaded the truck might share the fault.
- Repair shops: If broken parts, such as bad brakes or a blown tire, cause a crash, an independent repair shop might share the blame for poor work.
How Kentucky law splits the blame
In Kentucky, if multiple parties are at fault for an accident, the court assigns a percentage of blame to each one. Under the state’s “several liability” rule, each company is only responsible for paying the portion of damages that matches their assigned share of the fault.
Getting help after a truck accident
Because Kentucky limits each company’s payment to its share of the blame, you should identify every responsible party to recover the compensation you need. If a truck accident injures you, a skilled attorney could help protect your rights and fight for the available compensation.
