Truck Accident Involving a Company Van or Fleet Vehicle—Who’s Liable?

Etemi Law | Connecticut Personal Injury Firm | (203) 409-8424

Fleet vehicles are the silent backbone of countless businesses—from delivery vans to service trucks to company SUVs. But when one of these vehicles is involved in an accident, the consequences can be catastrophic—and the question becomes: Who’s liable?

If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash involving a company van or fleet truck, understanding your legal rights could be the key to securing the compensation you need to heal and rebuild.

At Etemi Law, we make sure negligent companies, careless drivers, and slippery insurance providers are held fully accountable.

Here’s what you need to know.

Liability in Truck Accidents: It’s Not Just About the Driver

When a crash happens, your first instinct might be to blame the driver. But with fleet vehicles, liability often extends far beyond the person behind the wheel.

Multiple parties could be responsible, including:

• The driver

• The employer

• The vehicle owner

• Third-party maintenance companies

• Manufacturers of defective parts

Determining who’s truly at fault requires thorough investigation—something the trucking company’s insurance team will start immediately after the crash. You should too.

Key Factors That Determine Liability

Every truck accident is different, but these are some of the primary factors that courts and insurance companies examine:

1. Negligence

At the heart of most personal injury cases is negligence.
Was the driver speeding? Distracted? Impaired?
Proving negligent behavior like this is essential for establishing fault.

2. Employer Responsibility

Under the principle of vicarious liability, an employer is responsible for their employee’s actions if the driver was:

• On the clock

• Performing work duties

• Operating within the scope of their job

This is critical because corporate insurance policies are typically much larger than individual auto policies—giving you access to greater compensation.

3. Maintenance and Safety Failures

Fleet vehicles must be properly maintained.
If bald tires, bad brakes, or a neglected mechanical problem contributed to the accident, the company that owned, operated, or serviced the vehicle could face additional liability.

4. Third-Party Negligence

Other potential players include:

• A manufacturer who built a faulty steering system

• A maintenance company that failed to detect a critical issue

• Other drivers who contributed to the crash

A thorough legal investigation often uncovers hidden contributors to the accident.

5. Insurance Complexities

Commercial insurance policies covering fleet vehicles are very different from personal auto insurance.
Understanding these differences is essential to making sure you pursue every available dollar for your injuries, pain, and financial losses.

Steps You Should Take Immediately After a Fleet Vehicle Accident

If you’re involved in a crash with a company van or fleet truck, the right steps can protect your health—and your case.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Help

Always prioritize your safety.
Many injuries, such as concussions and spinal damage, aren’t immediately obvious. Document everything from the start.

2. Document the Scene

If possible:

• Photograph all vehicles, damages, skid marks, and road conditions

• Capture visible injuries

• Gather witness information

3. File a Police Report

Make sure law enforcement responds and creates an accident report.
This document is essential when negotiating insurance settlements or proving liability in court.

4. Preserve Evidence

Save all related materials, including:

• Medical bills

• Repair invoices

• Pay stubs showing lost wages

• Communications with insurers

Don’t throw anything away—you never know what will become critical later.

5. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney—Immediately

Corporate fleets have insurance investigators working against you from day one.
You deserve a legal team working for you with equal urgency.

Who Can You Sue After a Fleet Vehicle Accident?

Depending on the circumstances, several parties could be held financially responsible:

The Driver

If the driver was negligent—speeding, texting, impaired—they can be personally liable.

The Employer

If the driver was working at the time of the accident, their employer can be sued under vicarious liability.

Additionally, employers may be directly negligent if they:

• Hired an unqualified driver

• Failed to properly train the driver

• Ignored safety issues

• Encouraged unsafe driving practices

The Vehicle Owner

If the company that owns the fleet failed to inspect or maintain the vehicle properly, they could bear direct liability.

Third-Party Maintenance Providers

If a repair shop or maintenance contractor negligently serviced the fleet vehicle, they can be added as defendants.

Manufacturers

If defective brakes, tires, steering, or other parts contributed to the crash, product liability claims can bring manufacturers into the lawsuit.

Why Hiring an Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Matters

Fleet and trucking accident cases are much more complex than typical car accidents:

• Multiple Defendants: Companies, contractors, insurers, and drivers may all be involved.

• Multiple Insurance Policies: Commercial insurance often includes multiple layers of coverage.

• Aggressive Defense: Corporations will fight hard to limit payouts.

You need an attorney who understands federal trucking regulations, state-specific liability laws, and how to counter corporate defense tactics.

At Etemi Law, we bring extensive resources, seasoned trial experience, and relentless determination to every case.

What Compensation Can You Pursue?

If you were injured in a fleet vehicle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for:

• Medical expenses (past and future)

• Lost wages

• Loss of future earning capacity

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Permanent disability

• Punitive damages (in cases of gross negligence)

Don’t accept a lowball offer from the insurance company. Fight for everything you deserve.

Conclusion

Truck accidents involving company vans or fleet vehicles aren’t just accidents—they’re opportunities to hold negligent companies accountable and secure the compensation you need to move forward.

Whether it’s negligent hiring, poor maintenance, reckless driving, or corporate corner-cutting, you have the right to demand justice.

At Etemi Law, we dig deeper, fight harder, and deliver results.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a fleet vehicle or company van accident, call Etemi Law today at (203) 409-8424 for a free consultation.
We’ll make sure the company—and their insurers—face the consequences for their negligence.