Trucking Companies May Be Liable for Behavior of Drivers

When a truck accident occurs due to unsafe behavior by a trucker, filing a lawsuit against the truck driver for their actions is commonplace. What not all accident victims realize is that, in certain situations, the company the driver works for might also be liable. A recent decision by the Wyoming Supreme Court underscores this possibility.

The case in question revolved around an incident that took place in 2014. On February 11th of that year, a truck owned by CRST being piloted by two shift drivers pulled into the emergency lane when the current driver became tired. While parked there, it was struck from behind by a car driven by David Crashley. Crashley did not survive.

The family of Crashley sued the trucking company, but the case was initially dismissed in 2017. Now the Wyoming Supreme Court has restored the case, in a significant victory for victims’ rights that could have far reaching ramifications, as the Wyoming Court relied upon precedent from California in reaching their decision.

Automobile accidents are complicated affairs, and truck accidents are often even more complicated. Determining fault can be difficult, and recognizing who has liability in any given situation even more so. By extending the possibility of liability from just the drivers to the company that owns and operates the vehicles, the court is allowing juries to decide for themselves what is and what is not just.

If you have been injured in a truck accident, determining how to proceed can be difficult. There are often dozens of variables to assess. Please consider reaching out to an experienced attorney for a case evaluation. A qualified lawyer can guide you through the process of developing your case.