This is the next post in my series on the handling of car accidents in Laredo and elsewhere in south Texas. My last article discussed how comparative fault impacts car accident cases. It also stressed the need to speak with a personal injury attorney if you or a loved one have been injured in a wreck. It is important that you contact counsel sooner, rather than later, in order to ensure that your rights remain fully protected. In this article I will discuss the handling of wrecks which involve commercial vehicles (such as those used for deliveries). If you or a loved one have been injured the contact my office today to speak with an attorney.
Cases which involve commercial vehicles can raise complicated issues. This is due to the fact that employers are generally responsible for the acts of their employees. This means, for example, that if the driver of a delivery vehicle commits an act of negligence then their employer will typically be liable for negligence as well. The victim of such an accident, however, may also have additional causes of action against the employer or other parties. If the employer was negligent in their selection of the delivery driver as an employee, if they failed to properly train the driver, or their business practices put the public at risk in some other way, then the victim of the accident may be able to bring an action for negligent hiring and supervision. This is best explained by way of example.
Suppose a restaurant owner hires a delivery driver. Now suppose that the driver has a poor driving record which includes numerous infractions and a conviction for reckless driving. The owner of the business conducted no background check, did not acquire the driver’s prior history, and did not take other steps to ensure that the driver would obey the rules of the road. Now suppose that the driver ran a red light and hit your vehicle. Under this scenario, the driver would potentially be liable for negligence, the owner of the restaurant would potentially be liable for negligence and for negligent hiring. Finally, if the restaurant is franchised from a larger corporation then, depending on the circumstances, the larger corporation may face liability as well. The outcome of any given matter, and how a jury will rule, is always going to depend on the specific facts of the situation.
If you have been hit by a commercial vehicle then it is important that you retain a Laredo car accident lawyer who is experienced in handling such matters. These types of cases can quickly become complicated as each defendant may retain a separate attorney and assert differing defenses. By ensuring that all responsible parties are properly named, and that the appropriate causes of action are brought against each party, you can help to ensure that your matter is handled appropriately. I handle auto collision cases throughout south Texas. We pride ourselves on providing quality service and my office is ready to assist you. Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation.