Commercial Vehicle 18 Wheeler Accident

Commercial Vehicle Crashes – Who is Responsible?

There were no deathless days on Texas roadways in 2007 according to the Texas Department of Transportation. Of the 267,305 people injured and over 3,400 people killed on Texas roadways in 2007, there were some who were injured or killed by commercial motor vehicles.

Companies send trucks, vans and other motor vehicles out on a daily basis to transact business on behalf of the company. Because the drivers are hired for a specific commercial purpose, they are required to adhere to a heightened standard of driving. When commercial vehicle crashes happen, the driver and the company must be held responsible.

Since commercial vehicles are generally larger in size, they can be more difficult to drive and can cause more damage during a wreck. These wrecks can occur frequently and with devastating results. As a result of these accidents, the commercial carrier industry is working with the government through grant programs to work toward better communication, greater safety and fewer commercial vehicle crashes. However, companies are now prepared for these accidents to occur and have teams of lawyers ready to fight lawsuits by injured parties in order to reduce costs resulting from jury findings. With the right representation, your position in a lawsuit if you are injured in a commercial vehicle wreck is much improved.

The Law Regarding Commercial Vehicle Accidents

The cause of action for motor vehicle crashes is based in negligence. The statute of limitations for this lawsuit is two years from the date of accident.

Money Damages

Financial recovery can include vehicular/personal property damage and present and future medical bills. Other potential areas of compensation, depending on the facts of the situation, are mental pain and suffering damages, lost past and future wages, permanent impairment/disfigurement, punitive damages, wrongful death damages and loss of enjoyment of life.

“The best of wages will not compensate for excessively long working hours which undermine heath.”
Supreme Court Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis
Brandeis: The Personal History of an American Ideal