Let’s break it down. After a truck crash, several parties may be legally and financially responsible. A skilled attorney investigates every angle to identify all potential defendants.
1. The Truck Driver
If the driver was:
- Distracted
- Fatigued (violating federal Hours-of-Service rules)
- Intoxicated
- Speeding or reckless
…then they can be held personally liable. But going after just the driver often isn’t enough. Most individual drivers don’t have the resources to cover serious injury claims — and they may be protected under their employer’s insurance.
2. The Trucking Company
Under the legal doctrine of “respondeat superior,” employers can be held responsible for the actions of their employees. If the driver was working at the time of the crash, their employer may be on the hook.
Even more importantly, if the company:
- Failed to properly train or supervise the driver
- Knew the driver had a bad record
- Pushed unrealistic delivery schedules that encouraged unsafe driving
- Cut corners on vehicle maintenance
…then they can be sued directly for negligence.
3. The Owner of the Truck or Trailer
In some cases, the driver doesn’t own the truck. It may be leased or owned by a third-party company. If the truck or trailer was not properly maintained, or had a mechanical failure, that party may share fault.
4. The Freight Broker or Shipping Company
Sometimes a logistics company coordinates the load and hires the driver — even if they don’t operate the truck. If that company failed to vet the driver or hired an unsafe carrier, they could be liable under federal regulations.
5. Vehicle Manufacturers or Maintenance Contractors
If faulty brakes, tire blowouts, or steering failures caused or worsened the crash, a product liability claim may be appropriate. Similarly, if a maintenance shop failed to repair a known issue, they could be named in your lawsuit.
How Do I Figure Out Who to Sue?
This is where having a personal injury lawyer makes all the difference.
Truck accident cases involve:
- Federal trucking regulations (FMCSA rules)
- Vehicle inspection logs and black box data
- Multiple layers of insurance
- Corporate shell games designed to hide who’s really responsible
A good attorney doesn’t just file paperwork — they launch a full investigation:
- Securing logbooks, GPS data, and onboard computer reports
- Subpoenaing maintenance records and driver history
- Identifying all liable parties and maximum insurance coverage
Without a lawyer, you’re left fighting billion-dollar insurance companies and trucking defense teams alone — while trying to recover from life-changing injuries.
You Don’t Pay Anything Unless We Win
Here’s the part most people don’t realize: You can hire a top-tier injury attorney with zero financial risk.
At Fabbrini Law Group and many other respected personal injury firms, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means:
- You don’t pay us upfront
- You never pay out-of-pocket
- We only get paid if you get paid
If there’s no recovery, you owe us nothing. But if we win — and we usually do — our fee comes from the settlement or verdict. That gives you access to expert legal representation, regardless of your current financial situation.
Final Word: Don’t Guess — Get a Lawyer Who Knows
The truth is, figuring out who to sue after a truck accident is not your job. It’s ours. You have enough to worry about: your health, your family, your future.
Let a skilled truck accident attorney uncover the truth, protect your rights, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or a loved one was hurt in a truck crash in Chicago or anywhere in Illinois, don’t wait. The sooner we act, the more evidence we can preserve — and the stronger your case will be.
📞 Call Fabbrini Law Group today at 312-494-3131 or visit www.WindyCityLawFirm.com for a free, no-obligation consultation.
No fee unless we win. No risk. No excuses. Just real results