Were you injured in a truck accident in Los Angeles, CA? If so, there may be numerous legal options available to you. Your truck accident might not have been caused only by the carelessness of the truck driver—it’s possible the driver may not have been licensed to operate a commercial truck in the first place. The latter is what is known as a negligent hiring truck accident case.
You may have more than just a claim against the truck driver in this circumstance. You might even be able to go after the trucking company that employed them for negligent hiring.
Our Los Angeles truck accident attorneys at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers can help you determine your best course of action. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation to go over your legal options at (877) 300-4535.
How M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Los Angeles Negligent Hiring Truck Accident
Truck accidents can happen anywhere, but are especially likely to happen in areas with heavy traffic such as Los Angeles, California. Being injured in a traffic accident is traumatizing and can leave you laid up and out of work for weeks, months, or even longer.
At M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers, we know the emotional shock you’re experiencing in addition to your physical pain. Going up against a large truck can be frightening and make it difficult for you to be comfortable in a motor vehicle for a while. That’s completely understandable.
No one should have to go through what you went through and then have to figure out the legal issues. Leave all that to us. When you choose M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers to represent you in your truck accident case, you’ll be getting a law firm with the following credentials:
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 lawyers in the country
- Lifelong members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Selected as a “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine
When you call our truck accident attorneys in Los Angeles, we’ll start by looking into the accident on our own and obtaining the proof we need to support your claim. Don’t hesitate to call today. Let’s get started so you can get your life back in order.
What Is Negligent Hiring?
According to the legal doctrine of negligent hiring, a trucking business must have taken reasonable care to hire a qualified truck driver with the necessary experience. Regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) specify the obligations of a trucking company while hiring truck drivers. All trucking businesses must also keep a driver qualification file, which serves as proof of their adherence to FMCSA guidelines when it comes to recruiting their drivers.
The applicant’s background must be thoroughly investigated by the trucking company. It must confirm the fundamentals, including the trucker’s minimum age of 21, possession of a current commercial driver’s license, and successful completion of the necessary written and driving tests. The company must also do the following:
- Examine the trucker’s driving and accident history in great detail
- Conduct a criminal history investigation
- Ensure the trucker has no issues with using drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications
- Confirm a full physical checkup and a doctor’s note stating that they are healthy enough to operate a truck
- Investigate the trucker’s employment history, especially involving crashes or issues with substance abuse, by getting in touch with past three employers
It can take a lot of time and money to look into a truck driver’s past. It calls on the trucking firm to affirmatively get in touch with previous employers. Some firms will hire a truck driver who is ineligible or has insufficient expertise to operate a truck safely.
What Is Negligent Retention?
Negligent retention is when a trucking company continues to employ a driver who was once qualified but is now ineligible to operate a vehicle. The driver’s prior accidents, drug or alcohol usage, or health issues may be to blame for this. If the driver still works for the trucking firm, that company might be held accountable for any accidents he causes.
Have you or a member of your family been hurt or killed in a truck accident? You may be able to hold the trucking company accountable for the negligent employment or retention of the trucker by requesting the truck driver’s qualification file and other documentation from them.
To arrange a free consultation with the skilled and experienced personal injury attorneys at M&Y Personal Injury Lawyers, give our Los Angeles law offices a call today.
You have no time to lose. California only allows you two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. After that window closes, you’ll be barred from recovery. And because we work on a contingency fee basis, you’ll only pay us if we obtain a monetary award for you.
Other Truck Accident Cases We Cover
Additional Resources
