Legal Terms Explained

Legal responsibility for causing harm or damages. In truck accidents, liability may fall on the driver, trucking company, cargo loader, or vehicle manufacturer.

Failure to act with reasonable care, resulting in harm to another person. Examples include distracted driving, speeding, or violating federal safety regulations.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration — the federal agency that sets safety rules for commercial trucks and drivers operating across state lines.

Hours of Service violations occur when a truck driver exceeds federally mandated driving time limits, often leading to fatigue-related accidents.

A legal rule that can reduce your compensation if you are found partially responsible for the accident. Many states allow recovery even if you share some fault.

The deadline to file a lawsuit. For truck accident claims, this is typically 2 years from the accident date, though it varies by state. Missing this deadline can bar your claim entirely.

A trucking company can be held responsible for the negligent actions of its drivers while they are performing work duties, even if the company itself did nothing wrong.

An Electronic Data Recorder installed in commercial trucks that logs speed, braking, and other critical data. This evidence must be preserved immediately after an accident.

Additional compensation awarded to punish a defendant for especially reckless or intentional misconduct, beyond covering your actual losses.

Money awarded to cover actual losses — including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering.

A payment arrangement where your attorney only collects a fee if you win your case. This means no upfront costs to pursue your claim.

The pre-trial process where both sides exchange evidence, documents, and information. In truck accident cases this includes logs, inspection records, and black box data.

A formal out-of-court statement given under oath, recorded for later use. Witnesses including drivers and safety officers may be deposed during your case.

The destruction or alteration of evidence. Trucking companies are required to preserve black box data, driver logs, and maintenance records after an accident.

Compliance, Safety, Accountability score — a federal rating of a trucking company's safety performance. A poor CSA score can be powerful evidence of negligence.

The total weight of a loaded commercial truck. Federal law limits most trucks to 80,000 lbs. Overweight trucks require longer stopping distances and cause greater damage.