Can You Seek Damages If a Co-Driver Was Careless or Negligent?
Are there instances when a truck driver can sue a co-driver for injuries? It’s not what you typically think of after a motor vehicle accident—more often, the focus is on injuries to persons in the other vehicle. But passengers in the truck can also sustain serious injuries. Can they sue? Are there instances where they might be prevented from seeking compensation?
Large Truck Accidents Remain at High Levels
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) reports an average of 120,000 collisions per year involving large commercial trucks. With truckers who drive in teams, one driver will often be in a sleeper berth while the other driver is behind the wheel. The sleeper berths tend to be more dangerous, as they lack the structural protection found in the cab.
When a Co-Driver Can Sue for Injuries Suffered in a Truck Accident
While the vast majority of truckers are solo operations, about 10% of truckers operate as part of a team. The basic laws of negligence apply when a trucker suffers injury because of the carelessness or negligence of a co-driver. To recover for any losses, the injured party must show that the driver failed to use reasonable care, causing an accident that resulted in actual losses.
An injured co-driver may, however, be limited in his or her right to recover for any losses if he or she did anything to contribute to the injury or loss. For example, if the co-driver knew or should have known that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash, recovery may be limited or even barred.
Let Us Help Protect Your Rights after a Texas Truck Accident
At the Law Office of Michael R. De La Paz, we have more than 26 years of experience protecting the rights of personal injury victims in Harlingen, McAllen, Brownsville and Houston, across Texas and nationwide, including people who have suffered any type of injury in a trucking accident. We will use our considerable experience, skill, knowledge and resources to help you get the outcome you want. Free call, text or chat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week–https://delapazlaw.com/.
Handling Motor Vehicle Accident Cases Nationwide, Including, But Not Limited to Texas, Florida, New Mexico, Illinois and Oklahoma