Due to their size and weight, big rigs, 18-wheelers, and commercial trucks wield wild capabilities for destruction, and therefore require education, training, and maintaining skills to operate safely. When hiring new drivers, trucking companies need to thoroughly vet applicants in order to determine if they can reliably travel from point A to point B without causing, or being in, an accident.
Unfortunately, whether they lacked resources, didn’t put in the proper effort, or simply didn’t care, truck companies will hire subpar (if not outright unqualified) drivers with spotted pasts to drive their fleet. If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, call our expert trucking accident lawyers. We know how to dig to find out if a driver was poorly screened and earn you the compensation you deserve.
Poorly screened drivers are infinitely more likely to act negligently on the roads and highways, causing crashes, rear-ends, rollovers, or jackknife accidents. When trucking companies fail to research their drivers’ records, they put all other drivers at risk. One wrong move in a commercial truck can cause irreparable damage, physical harm, and even unwarranted death(s).
When looking at a driver’s history, companies (and trucking accident lawyers post-accident) look for several red flags.
- DUIs
- Substance abuse/drug usage
- Speeding and moving violations
- Other accidents
- Hit and run charges
Upon discovery of any (if not a combination) of these past issues, a trucking accident lawyer can build a case that the trucking company did not vet the driver properly and can be held liable for the accident and subsequent damages and/or medical bills. There is no reason you should need to suffer for the negligent acts of both the driver and their employer.
If you’ve been in a Texas trucking accident, contact our offices to speak with a lawyer immediately. We know what to look for and how to check if a driver was improperly screened, trained, or has a spotted driving history that could explain negligence during the accident. We’re here to help you through the legal battle and to earn the financial compensation to which you are entitled.