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In the aftermath of a truck accident, you and your family may have many questions. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a truck accident, you might be wondering whether you have the right to make a claim for your personal injuries. Many factors can impact a truck accident personal injury claim. One of those factors is the truck driver’s prior record. While the state of Texas has rules regarding who can apply for a commercial driver’s license, each truck company also needs to make decisions about which commercial truck drivers it will hire. Truck companies can review a driver’s record and decide whether they want to hire a particular driver. If a truck company hired a truck driver knowing that he or she had a poor driving record, the truck company could be held legally responsible if the driver gets into an accident. For example, if a truck driver had a history of texting and driving, and then the truck driver in your accident was found to be texting and driving, the truck company could potentially be held responsible for covering your losses for hiring a driver that could have been a risk. If you or a loved one have been hurt in a truck accident in Texas, the Cooper Law Firm are truck accident lawyers who can review your case, investigate the truck driver’s record, and pursue your claim to the fullest extent of the law. Contact our firm today to learn more.
Texas’s Commercial Truck Driver Laws May Differ From Requirements Truck Companies Might Have for Drivers
Under Texas law, in order to qualify for a commercial driver’s license, a truck driver must have U.S. Citizenship, have Texas residency, have a social security number, have undergone a satisfactory medical examination (to determine that the driver doesn’t have conditions that could impact his or her ability to operate a commercial truck), and show proof of vehicle registration and proof of insurance for each vehicle the driver owns. Furthermore, in order to receive a commercial driver’s license a truck driver will need to pass written tests and driving skill tests. This describes only some of the legal requirements truck drivers must meet in order to receive a commercial driver’s license. Furthermore, if a driver has been found guilty of certain infractions, he or she may not be able to qualify for a commercial driver’s license for a period of time. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, if a person is convicted of leaving the scene of an accident, the individual could be disqualified from holding a commercial driver’s license for at least one year. Furthermore, if a person is found guilty of two serious traffic offenses, like reckless driving, excessive speeding, or following too closely within a three year timeframe, the driver can be disqualified from receiving a commercial driver’s license for 60 days. These are just some of the laws set forth by the Texas Department of Transportation.
However, each truck company can impose its own rules and requirements. For example, a truck company can decide to not hire a driver with any serious traffic violations. A truck company can also decide which speeding violations it will consider disqualifying, as long as the speeding violations don’t disqualify the driver from holding a commercial driver’s license. Basically, truck companies can choose to overlook some violations as long as the driver still qualifies for a commercial driver’s license. However, what each truck company will tolerate can vary from company to company.
If a truck company hires a driver with a known driving record, and the truck driver gets into an accident committing a similar offense, the truck company could potentially be held responsible for any damages the truck driver causes. This is why truck companies sometimes set strict standards for its drivers. If you have been hurt in a truck accident and wonder whether a truck driver’s record could impact your claim, consider speaking to the Cooper Law Firm, a truck accident lawyer in Texas today. Our attorneys can review the details of your crash, evaluate why the crash took place, and look into the driver’s record. If the driver is a repeat offender for a particular violation, you and your family may have a case.
Contact the Cooper Law Firm Today
The Cooper Law Firm are truck accident lawyers in Texas who can help you with your truck accident claim. You may only have a limited amount of time to make a claim under the law. USAttorneys.com can connect you with one of the lawyers at the Cooper Law Firm who can review your case, provide you an honest assessment of your claim, and help you understand what your next steps might be.
