Can Multiple Companies Be Liable for a Truck Accident?

Multiple companies can share liability for a commercial truck accident in Wisconsin. Determining who is liable for a truck accident requires a comprehensive investigation, and investigating a commercial truck accident often involves gathering evidence from various sources. After gathering the evidence that is available, the next step is to assess liability in accordance with Wisconsin law.

Truck accident cases are complex; often far more complex than typical accident cases involving collisions between passenger vehicles. While there are several reasons why, one of the most important reasons is the fact that multiple companies will often share liability for truck accident victims’ injuries. 

When multiple companies are liable for a truck accident, victims may need to file claims against each at-fault party in order to fully recover their accident-related losses. This makes it critical to conduct a comprehensive investigation as soon as possible and preserve evidence of each at-fault party’s liability before it disappears. 

When Multiple Companies Can Share Liability for a Commercial Truck Accident in Wisconsin 

Multiple parties can be liable for a truck accident in various circumstances. If multiple factors combine to cause a collision, each factor involved could give rise to a claim for just compensation. For example:

• Truck Driver Negligence – If driver negligence was a factor in your truck accident, the truck driver’s employer (i.e., the trucking company) could be fully or partially liable for your truck accident-related losses.
• Negligent Truck Maintenance or Repairs – If negligent maintenance or repair work was a factor in your truck accident, the company that performed the work could be liable as well. 
• Truck Defects – If the truck was defective when it left the factory, the truck’s manufacturer (or the manufacturer of an individual component that failed) could share liability for your accident-related losses. 
• Roadway Hazards or Defects – If an issue with the road contributed to causing your truck accident, the government agency or contractor that is to blame could also share liability for your financial and non-financial damages. 
• Another Driver’s Negligence – If another negligent driver contributed to causing your truck accident, this driver (or his or her insurance company) could be fully or partially liable as well. 

Even these are just examples. Due to the potential for multiple companies to share liability for your truck accident, it is essential to investigate all possible causal factors. Once you know all of the factors that contributed to causing your injuries, then you can make an informed decision about which claim or claims to file. 

Wisconsin’s “Joint and Several Liability” Rule for Truck Accidents Involving Multiple At-Fault Parties 

Whether multiple companies can be held liable for your truck accident depends, in part, on how Wisconsin’s “joint and several liability” rule applies under the circumstances at hand. Broadly speaking, there are two possible scenarios: 

1. Each Company Involved was Less Than 51% At Fault

If each company involved in your truck accident case is found to have been less than 51% at fault, then each company is only liable to the extent of its percentage of fault. For example, if two companies share equal responsibility for causing your truck accident, then each of these companies is responsible for 50% of your accident-related losses. 

2. One of the Companies Involved was 51% At Fault or More

If one of the companies involved in your truck accident case is found to have been 51% at fault or more, you have the right to seek to recover 100% of your accident-related losses from this company. Alternatively, you can seek to hold each at-fault party liable to the extent of its percentage of fault if necessary. 

What does this mean for your truck accident case? The answer depends on the circumstances involved. If one company is primarily responsible for causing your truck accident, you may only need to sue this company in order to fully recover your accident-related losses. However, if no single company is primarily responsible, you may need to sue each of the companies involved in order to seek full compensation. 

With this being the case, you can see why conducting a comprehensive investigation is so important. To help ensure that you have the evidence you need to seek the compensation you deserve, you should hire an experienced Wisconsin truck accident lawyer as soon as possible. 

Discuss Your Case with a Wisconsin Truck Accident Lawyer for FREE

Do you need help determining what companies may be potentially liable for a truck accident in Wisconsin? If so, contact our office today.

At Studinski Law, LLC, we have extensive experience representing people injured in truck accidents throughout Wisconsin. We know how to investigate these complex cases, identify the records that matter, and gather the evidence needed to determine what happened and who should be held accountable. Throughout the process, we’ll explain your legal options so you can make informed decisions about your case.

Contact the Wisconsin truck accident lawyers at Studinski Law, LLC today online or at (715) 343-2850 for a FREE case evaluation. We proudly help clients in Plover and all of Wisconsin.