Can I Sue Multiple Parties After Being Injured in a Truck Accident?

The consequences are often devastating when a fully loaded tractor-trailer collides with a passenger vehicle. Injuries are often life-changing, and the road to recovery can be long and overwhelming. But what caused that crash may involve far more than just the driver behind the wheel.

When a truck accident happens, it’s rarely the result of one person’s mistake. Multiple parties often play a role in creating the conditions that lead to a crash, sometimes behind the scenes. While the truck driver may be the most visible person involved, the real cause of your accident might involve an entire chain of responsibility.

If you’ve been seriously injured in a truck accident, you may be wondering: Can I sue more than just the driver? The answer is yes, and holding every liable party accountable is often the only way to recover the full compensation you deserve.

Truck Accidents Involve More Than Just the Driver

When you’re recovering from a serious injury, it can be surprising to learn just how many people may have contributed to the crash. A successful personal injury claim after a truck accident may involve:

• The Truck Driver: If a driver was speeding, distracted, fatigued, or impaired, they may be liable for the crash.
• The Trucking Company: Employers may be responsible for unsafe hiring practices, inadequate training, scheduling violations, or failure to enforce safety protocols.
• Maintenance Providers: If a third-party mechanic or maintenance company failed to properly service the truck and that failure causes the accident, they may share the blame.
• Cargo Loaders: Improperly loaded or unbalanced cargo can cause a truck to tip or become uncontrollable. Those responsible for loading may be liable if cargo issues contributed to the crash.
• Parts or Vehicle Manufacturers: If a defective tire, brake, or other component contributed to the accident, the manufacturer of that part may also be at fault.

Each party has a role in ensuring the vehicle’s safety, and when that duty is breached, they may be held legally accountable.

Shared Liability and How It Affects Your Case

Iowa follows a modified comparative fault system and may also apply joint and several liability depending on how fault is assigned.

Under Iowa law, if multiple parties share blame for your accident, each party can be required to pay their share of the damages based on the percentage of fault assigned to them. For example, if a trucking company is found 60% at fault, and a parts manufacturer is found 40% at fault, your compensation would be split accordingly.

Importantly, this legal framework ensures you aren’t left without full compensation because one at-fault party lacks adequate insurance or resources. You can pursue multiple claims simultaneously or through a consolidated legal process.

Proving Negligence Is a Complicated Task

Identifying every responsible party in a truck accident isn’t easy. These cases require an in-depth investigation that may include:

• Reviewing logbooks, maintenance records, and black box data
• Inspecting the crash site and damaged vehicles
• Interviewing witnesses, mechanics, and company supervisors
• Consulting accident reconstruction experts
• Subpoenaing employment and training documents

Because of the complexity involved, it’s not uncommon for evidence to disappear quickly. That’s why it’s crucial to act promptly and collaborate with legal professionals who understand how to preserve and investigate all relevant facts.

Truck accident cases are far more complicated than typical car accident claims. Not only are the injuries more severe, but the legal strategies must be tailored to hold multiple parties accountable. Insurance companies and corporate legal teams will fight hard to limit liability, so victims should never go it alone.

Our Law Firm Can Help You Pursue Every Source of Compensation

At Mueller, Schmidt, Mulholland & Cooling, our team of experienced Des Moines truck accident lawyers knows how to manage these complex cases. We don’t just go after the obvious defendant; we find every party that contributed to your injuries.

Whether it’s a negligent truck driver, a careless maintenance provider, or a company that prioritizes profits over safety, we work to hold each party accountable and maximize your compensation.

If you or a loved one has been hurt in a truck accident in Iowa, contact our law firm for a free consultation. We can investigate your case, identify all responsible parties, and help you pursue the full compensation you deserve.