Fight for Justice in Texas Auto Accidents Involving Commercial Vehicles
It goes without saying that there are many types of vehicles on the road every day. Minivans, motorcycles, and sedans are just a few ways people get from place to place. You also share the road with semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles, and the drivers of these massive vehicles have a serious responsibility to drive safely.
If a commercial vehicle is involved in an accident, it can be tricky to determine who is liable. While victims of an Edinburg commercial vehicle accident can fight for justice themselves, accidents involving commercial vehicles can be especially difficult to navigate without an experienced attorney by your side. Keep reading to learn more about commercial vehicle accidents.
What Vehicles Are Considered Commercial Vehicles?
Any vehicle used for business purposes is considered a commercial vehicle. Commercial vehicles usually transport goods or people as a means of business. Semi-trucks are the most common, but any vehicle you see on the road could potentially be a commercial vehicle:
Passenger vans
Taxies
Shuttle buses
Food delivery cars
Motor coaches
Tow trucks
3 Ways an Employer Can Be Found Negligent
If an employee is driving a company vehicle and is involved in an accident, the employer could be held liable. It may seem odd since the employer wasn’t driving the vehicle, but the employer may have been negligent in their duties before letting the employee drive the vehicle. An employer may be found negligent in one of the following ways.
Hiring an Unqualified Employee – If an employer hired an employee with a poor driving record, and the employee caused an accident while driving the company vehicle, the employer would be held liable since they should have known the employee had a poor driving history.
Failing to Properly Train the Employee – An employer can be held responsible if an employee who wasn’t trained properly caused an accident. The employer must make sure the employee has the needed training before driving on the road.
Failing To Ensure Employees Drive Safely – An employer can be held responsible for accidents if employees drive overweight vehicles or faulty equipment. Employers can also be held liable if their employees have driven more than the limit of consecutive driving hours, and fatigue was the cause of an accident.
Just because the employee is involved in an accident, it doesn’t mean it’s automatically the employer's fault. Any time the employee performs a job-related task and is on the clock, the employer could be responsible for any accidents. If an employee is on an unpaid lunch break and is in an accident, the employer wouldn’t be held responsible.
Getting Compensation for Commercial Truck Accidents
If you are involved in a commercial vehicle accident, we highly recommend that you seek the assistance of an experienced commercial vehicle crash attorney. Businesses and employers usually have more legal and financial resources than the average person, and you don’t want to fight for your case alone. Car accident attorneys have the experience to help you with your case by gathering evidence, fighting for compensation, talking to insurance companies, and filing a lawsuit if necessary.
Get Help From the Law Office of Bobby Garcia
Auto accidents involving commercial vehicles may leave you not only with injuries, but can also involve a huge legal battle. You don’t have to fight against these companies and employers alone. Experienced car crash attorneys from the Law Office of Bobby Garcia can help you in times like these. Reach out to our team to find justice in your case today.