Large commercial trucks are a common sight on Florida highways. These vehicles transport goods across the state every day, but they also present serious risks when trucking companies cut corners on safety. One issue that often leads to devastating truck accidents is negligent hiring. If an unqualified or dangerous driver is allowed behind the wheel of a big rig, the consequences can be life-changing for anyone involved in a crash.
Contact a truck accident lawyer in Fort Myers today for a free consultation.
What Does Negligent Hiring Mean?
Negligent hiring is a legal theory that holds trucking companies responsible when they fail to use reasonable care in choosing who they employ. Truck drivers must meet strict qualifications under both federal and state law. Employers are expected to verify a driver’s background and ensure they are capable of safely operating a commercial vehicle.
Examples of negligent hiring might include:
- Failing to check a driver’s driving record for accidents or DUIs
- Allowing a driver with a history of substance abuse to operate a truck
- Ignoring gaps in employment or suspicious past terminations
- Not confirming the driver holds a valid commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Overlooking the results of required drug and alcohol screenings
When trucking companies overlook red flags and put unsafe drivers on the road, they may be held liable for the accidents that follow.
How Negligent Hiring Contributes to Truck Accidents
Operating an 80,000-pound vehicle requires skill, attention, and training. Drivers with poor driving histories or substance abuse issues are far more likely to cause crashes. In Florida, accidents linked to negligent hiring may involve:
- Rear-end collisions caused by reckless driving
- Jackknife and rollover crashes due to lack of experience
- Crashes caused by distracted or fatigued drivers
- Accidents linked to impaired or intoxicated truckers
These collisions often result in catastrophic injuries such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and spinal cord damage.
Pursuing Compensation After a Negligent Hiring Accident in Florida
Victims of negligent hiring truck accidents in Florida may be able to recover damages for both economic and non-economic losses (punitive damages may be available in rare cases as well). Potential compensation can include things like:
- Medical bills and future treatment costs
- Lost income and reduced earning ability
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress (PTSD, anxiety, depression, etc…)
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Loss of quality of life
The aftermath of a truck accident can feel impossible to deal with, but know that you have legal options available to you as the victim. An experienced personal injury lawyer in Fort Myers can help you determine your best path forward during a free consultation.
Contact an Experienced Negligent Hiring Truck Accident Lawyer for Help
Crashes tied to negligent hiring do not happen by chance; they grow from poor decisions long before impact. Learning how these claims work, identifying every accountable party, and gathering the right records can help you pursue the compensation you need to rebuild.
If you were injured in a negligent hiring truck accident in Florida, contact Garvin Injury Law today to schedule a free consultation. Our attorneys have decades of combined experience and have won millions for our clients to date.