West Palm Beach Car Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles: When Businesses Are Held Responsible
Car accidents involving commercial vehicles—such as delivery trucks, company cars, and rideshare vehicles—can lead to serious injuries, extensive property damage, and complex liability disputes. Unlike crashes involving private individuals, accidents with business-owned vehicles introduce additional legal questions: Who is responsible—the driver, the employer, the vehicle owner, or all three?
Under Florida law, employers may be held responsible for accidents caused by their employees while performing work-related duties. However, determining liability requires a thorough investigation into who was at fault, whether the company was negligent, and whether the employee was acting within the scope of their job at the time of the crash.
Consult a West Palm Beach car accident attorney to explore when businesses can be held liable for accidents involving commercial vehicles, what legal doctrines apply, and how injured victims can seek compensation.
What Is Considered a Commercial Vehicle?
A commercial vehicle is any vehicle owned or operated by a business and used for commercial purposes. These vehicles often include:
- Delivery trucks and vans (e.g., Amazon, FedEx, UPS, USPS)
- Company-owned passenger vehicles
- Rideshare and taxi services (e.g., Uber, Lyft, Yellow Cab)
- Tractor-trailers and semi-trucks
- Construction vehicles (e.g., dump trucks, cement mixers)
- Buses and shuttle services
Because these vehicles are used for business operations, liability may extend beyond just the driver, making the company or employer responsible for damages in certain cases.
When Is a Business Liable for a Commercial Vehicle Accident?
A business can be held responsible for an accident in several ways:
1. Vicarious Liability (Respondeat Superior)
Under the legal doctrine of respondeat superior, employers are vicariously liable for accidents caused by their employees while they are performing work-related duties. This means that if a delivery driver, sales representative, or service technician causes a crash while on the job, the company may be held responsible for damages.
For vicarious liability to apply in a commercial vehicle accident, the driver must have been an employee rather than an independent contractor, meaning they were under the direct control of the company. However, whether an individual is an employee or independent contractor is a fact-driven, legal issue best handled by an experienced personal injury attorney. Additionally, the accident must have occurred while the driver was performing job-related duties, such as making deliveries, transporting goods, or driving between work locations.
If the driver was engaged in personal activities at the time of the crash—such as running personal errands or deviating from their assigned route—the employer may not be held responsible.
For example, if a FedEx driver causes an accident while making deliveries, FedEx could be liable. However, if the same driver deviates from their route to run a personal errand and crashes, the company may not be responsible.
2. Negligent Hiring, Training, or Supervision
Businesses have a legal duty to hire qualified drivers, train them properly, and ensure they follow safety regulations. If a company fails to conduct background checks, neglects training, or allows unsafe drivers to operate commercial vehicles, it can be held liable for an accident.
Examples of negligent hiring or supervision include:
- Hiring a driver with a history of DUIs or reckless driving.
- Failing to provide proper driver training for commercial vehicles.
- Allowing employees to work excessive hours, leading to fatigue-related accidents.
For instance, if a construction company hires a truck driver without verifying their commercial driver’s license (CDL) and that driver causes a crash, the company may be liable for negligent hiring.
3. Failure to Maintain the Vehicle
Owners of commercial vehicles are responsible for ensuring those vehicles are properly maintained and safe to operate. If a company neglects vehicle inspections, fails to repair mechanical issues, or ignores safety recalls, it can be held liable for an accident caused by equipment failure.
Common maintenance failures that lead to crashes include:
- Brake failure due to lack of inspections.
- Bald tires that result in blowouts.
- Faulty steering or suspension systems.
- Malfunctioning lights or signals, reducing visibility.
If a trucking company fails to inspect its fleet and a truck crash occurs due to the poor condition of its vehicles, the company could be directly liable for negligence.
4. Violating Federal or State Safety Regulations
Commercial vehicles are required to comply with both federal and state safety laws designed to ensure road safety and prevent accidents. These regulations include weight limits for trucks, which restrict the maximum allowable load to prevent excessive strain on tires, brakes, and roadways.
Additionally, mandatory rest periods for drivers help reduce fatigue-related accidents by limiting the number of consecutive hours a driver can operate a vehicle without taking a break.
Regular vehicle safety inspections are also required to ensure that trucks and other commercial vehicles are properly maintained, with functioning brakes, tires, lights, and other critical components.
If a business violates these laws and an accident occurs, it may be held responsible. For example, if a company forces a truck driver to exceed legal driving hours, leading to a fatigue-related crash, the company may be liable for damages.
Legal Options for Victims of Commercial Vehicle Accidents
If you are injured in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses (hospital bills, rehabilitation costs)
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
Steps to Take After a Commercial Vehicle Accident
- Seek Medical Attention Immediately – Even if injuries seem minor, get checked by a doctor.
- Call the Police and File a Report – A police report can help establish liability.
- Gather Evidence – Take photos of vehicle damage, skid marks, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Collect Witness Information – Statements from witnesses can support your claim.
- Do Not Speak to Insurance Adjusters Alone – Insurance companies may try to minimize your claim.
- Consult an Experienced Personal Injury Attorney – A lawyer can investigate the accident, determine liability, and fight for full compensation.
Contact Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather
Accidents involving commercial vehicles are often more complex than typical car crashes because they involve multiple liable parties, corporate insurance policies, and federal regulations. Businesses may be held responsible when their employees cause accidents, their hiring or training practices are negligent, or they fail to maintain their vehicles properly.
If you’ve been injured in a commercial vehicle accident in West Palm Beach, you have the right to pursue compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Because companies and their insurers will often fight to avoid liability, having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side is crucial.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident involving a commercial vehicle, the legal team at Smith, Ball, Báez & Prather is here to help. We have extensive experience handling complex commercial vehicle claims and will fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
Sources:
wolterskluwer.com/en/expert-insights/understanding-the-theory-of-respondeat-superior-liability
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Negligence_in_employment
