DENVER - A recent string of commercial truck accidents on Colorado highways, including a fatal rollover on Interstate 25 and a multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 76, has put a spotlight on the often-complex question of who is legally responsible when a large truck is involved in a collision.

While the driver is the immediate focus, federal data shows 70% of those killed in large-truck crashes are occupants of other vehicles. Determining legal liability is a complicated process that can involve multiple parties, significantly impacting the ability of victims to receive compensation for injuries and losses.

The driver is often the starting point, not the end point

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Large Truck Crash Causation Study found that driver error is a factor in 87% of crashes. Common forms of driver negligence include driving while fatigued in violation of federal hours-of-service rules, speeding to meet delivery deadlines, distracted driving, or driving under the influence.

To combat these issues, the Colorado State Patrol has recently increased enforcement on commercial vehicle violations along key routes like I-70. This crackdown aims to ensure compliance with safety regulations and reduce driver-related incidents, according to patrol officials.

However, responsibility often extends to the employer under the legal concept of vicarious liability, or respondeat superior. A trucking company can be held liable for its driver’s actions and for its own corporate negligence. This can include negligent hiring practices, such as employing drivers with poor safety records, providing inadequate training on vehicle operation, or pressuring drivers to violate safety rules to meet tight schedules.

The high stakes of corporate negligence are reflected in an industry trend of what some legal analysts call “soaring nuclear verdicts,” where lawsuits against trucking companies result in massive payouts. The American Transportation Research Institute’s most recent report found that lawsuit abuse reform has risen to the second-highest concern in the trucking industry.

A wider web of potentially liable parties

Investigators look beyond the driver and the trucking company to determine if other entities in the supply and maintenance chain contributed to the crash. The following table outlines how negligence can be shared among multiple parties.

Other key parties in the chain of responsibility

Investigations may also uncover fault with several other entities:

• The Cargo Shipper and Loader: A load that is unbalanced, overloaded, or not properly secured can shift during transit, causing the driver to lose control and the truck to tip over.
• Third-Party Maintenance Providers: Many trucking companies outsource maintenance. If a crash is caused by mechanical failure, like faulty brakes or a tire blowout, the shop that performed the last service could be held liable.
• Truck and Parts Manufacturers: In cases of equipment failure, a product liability claim may be brought against the manufacturer of the truck or a specific component if a defect is found to be the cause. This is becoming a key issue with the rise of autonomous trucking technology, which introduces new questions about who is liable in an accident.
• The Owner of the Truck or Trailer: In some cases, the truck and trailer are owned by different entities, adding another party to the liability investigation.

Navigating the complexities of a truck accident claim

After a serious crash, federal and state investigators begin a complex process of evidence collection. This includes analyzing the truck’s electronic data recorder, or “black box,” driver logs, maintenance records, and company safety histories. According to 2024 data from the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 4,715 accidents involving medium and heavy trucks in the state, with Denver County reporting the highest number of incidents.

The involvement of multiple potential defendants often leads to disputes between their respective insurance companies. These companies frequently contest fault to minimize their financial exposure, which can create a protracted and difficult process for victims seeking compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.

Untangling these complex relationships to ensure all responsible parties are held accountable is a significant challenge for those affected. For victims and their families, learning more about how an experienced Denver truck accident lawyer can help investigate multi-party liability and handle difficult insurance negotiations is often a critical step in the aftermath of a crash.

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