Truck Employer Negligence in Houston, TX

Houston Truck Accident Attorney

Among the number of circumstances that could cause a truck accident is that of employer negligence. Believe it or not, truck drivers themselves should not always be held responsible for the accidents in which they are involved. Sometimes, truck accidents are a direct result of negligent behaviors that were taken by the trucking company prior to a trucker's drive on the road. In other instances of trucking collisions, the cause could be a combination of an employer's negligence and the effects it had on the driver's ability to perform his job safely. For either scenario, the negligent actions – or inactions, for that matter – of truck employers should be cause for legal action if you have been injured as a result.

Serious trucking accidents such as jackknifing and underride accidents are often ones that end in personal injury or wrongful death to the motorists and/or truck drivers involved. As such, they are ones that can be taken to court and represented by a Houston personal injury lawyer. Under thorough investigation, an attorney can help determine the exact causes of the accident and can bring to light any negligent behaviors of an employer that may have led to the disastrous collision that is now under legal scrutiny.

Types of Employer Negligence

The companies that regulate truck operations and maintenance are responsible for the safety of their vehicles and the reliability of their employees. Therefore, when an accident occurs, it is wise to investigate the source of the accident – and in the case of truck collisions this sometimes falls in the laps of truck employers. Trucking regulations were specifically designed to protect the safety and wellbeing of not only truck drivers, but others on the road as well. As such, they are expected to be followed by the trucking companies employing drivers throughout the U.S. When employers fail to meet the laws and standards set forth for safe truck operation, the potential for accidents greatly increases.

Employers are considered to be acting negligently when they disregard the standard hours of service for which employees are expected to perform. When company officials require truckers to complete more hours of driving time than is typically thought to be safe, the fatigue that might ensue could lead to driver distraction and, hence, a full blown truck accident. Additional negligence taken by an employer could include:

• Negligent Hiring Practices
• Inadequate or No Training
• Inadequate Vehicle Inspection
• Failure to Properly Load Vehicles
• Disregard of Trucking Regulations

It is the responsibility of trucking companies to ensure that their vehicles and drivers are equipped to handle the job. When this fails to be the case, the employer and/ or company should be held liable for the accidents and injuries that result.

Contact a Houston truck accident attorney to represent your case today!