Can a Truck Driver be Held Responsible After an El Paso 18 Wheeler Accident?

If you’re a Texan, you’ve probably heard the phrase that everything is bigger in our state. Unfortunately, this is also true of car accidents, especially those involving big rigs. According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Texas has more annual 18 wheeler crashes than any other state because there are more than 675,580 lane miles of highway in our state—more than any other state in the country. Cities that are ports or hubs for various industries, such as El Paso, are particularly vulnerable to commercial truck accidents. Our team has compiled information about El Paso 18 wheeler accidents, and who can be held accountable for them, so read on to learn more.

If you’re wondering, “Can a truck driver be held responsible after an El Paso 18 wheeler accident?” the answer is yes. Truck drivers, trucking companies, and truck manufacturers may all be held responsible for damages in the aftermath of a wreck, depending on the accident’s circumstances. In some cases, the trucking company is the one ultimately responsible for the negligence of their drivers—but this does not apply if the driver happens to be an independent contractor.

According to our El Paso truck accident lawyers, the first step in determining whether the truck driver is personally liable is figuring out if he or she is an independent contractor. If the driver is an independent contractor, the trucking company cannot be held accountable, and you must sue the individual driver. If the driver is not an independent contractor, this means you will likely want to sue the trucking company. However, in these cases, trucking companies will often try to shift the blame onto the driver to avoid having to pay you a settlement.

Your lawyer will investigate the causes of the accident to figure out whether or not the driver was operating their vehicle during normal work hours and whether or not the task was assigned to them by their employer. Your lawyer will also look into the truck’s condition to see if it was properly serviced and maintained to find out whether the manufacturers or leasers could be to blame. Remember: no two El Paso 18 wheeler accidents are alike, and the course you take will depend entirely on your case’s unique circumstances.

How Do I Find Qualified Semi Truck Accident Lawyers Near Me?

If you’re in search of a truck accident lawyer in El Paso, there are numerous things to consider before hiring your attorney:

• First, your lawyer should be familiar with trucking industry regulations in your state and should have plenty of experience handling big rig accident cases.
• Next, you need someone who has trial experience and a winning track record if your case ends up in court.
• Finally, you want a lawyer who is professional and compassionate, with plenty of positive reviews from past clients.

Here at Carabin Shaw, our legal team meets the above criteria and more. Our team of El Paso truck accident lawyers has a combined 200 years of legal experience, and we’ve recovered $500 million for our clients, which means we are more than capable of getting you the compensation you deserve.

If you were in a wreck and are looking for the best trucking attorney serving El Paso, Carabin Shaw is here for you. Because your initial consultation with an attorney is free, you have absolutely nothing to lose by giving us a call. During this appointment, we will listen to you, answer any questions you may have, and inquire about how we can best help you.

El Paso 18 wheeler accidents are often extremely painful and stressful—but choosing a lawyer doesn’t have to be. To receive your free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys, call our El Paso office today at 915-779-2301 or reach us toll-free at 1-800-862-1260.