Truck company C.H. Robinson Worldwide was hit with a lawsuit after a tractor-trailer the company contracted with rolled on an Arizona highway, causing an accident with a prison transport bus.
The plaintiffs, husband and wife Robert and Melody N., allege that Robert, who was driving the prison transport bus, was severely injured in the tractor-trailer accident. The plaintiffs accuse C.H. Robinson of negligent hiring.
According to the tractor-trailer accident lawsuit, the driver was hauling 21 pallets of Glyphosate in August 2015. The driver lost control of the truck, allege the plaintiffs, causing the rig to roll and block the westbound lanes of 1-8 near Gila Bend, Ariz.
The plaintiffs allege that C.H. Robinson hired a trucking company, Luga, knowing that it had a “conditional” safety rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Further, say the plaintiffs, C.H. Robinson failed to adequately investigate the trucking company as well before agreeing to a contract.
C.H. Robinson was ultimately responsible for Robert’s injuries, allege the plaintiffs, including past and future medical expenses, treatment and services. The plaintiffs are also seeking damages for lost income, as well as for loss of consortium.
Tractor-Trailer Accidents
Trucking companies are subject to state, local, and federal rules. Trucking companies and their drivers need to be aware of the condition of their vehicles. Rules also affect the conditions they can drive in and what they need to do after a tractor-trailer accident. Rules cover:
- Driving duration and required rest stops
- Background checks and mandatory training
- Testing for substance use
- Truck maintenance
- Accident reporting requirements
Companies also need to set and enforce policies and procedures that protect other motorists. Unfortunately, after an accident, trucking companies often try to claim that because the driver was an independent contractor or operator, the company is not responsible for any injuries caused by the accident. However, motorists should be aware that this is not always the case.
Unfortunately, motorists sometimes also learn that trucking companies use a variety of tactics to get out of paying their fair share after a tractor-trailer accident.
Injured motorists should consider contacting an attorney as soon as possible after an accident to help protect their legal rights.
Tactics that trucking companies often use to escape paying for a tractor-trailer accident include asking the injured party for a statement and then using the statement against them.
While law enforcement will need to take statements after an accident, motorists should be aware that they never have to give a statement to a trucking company’s insurance adjuster.
Trucking companies also try offering injured motorists a very low amount in an attempt to settle claims early. As a last resort, trucking companies also try to delay procedures, knowing the injured motorist is facing lost wages, medical bills, and more.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a tractor-trailer accident, contact an attorney to help navigate your legal rights.
McDonald Worley attorneys are currently investigating claims and would be happy to help evaluate your case.