Negligent Hiring

Trucking companies must be vigilant when it comes to hiring their drivers. If you have been struck by a negligent trucker, that person’s employer may also be liable for your harm. Determining liability is not always straightforward, and it is important to speak to a Marietta truck accident attorney about the details of your situation. At Miller Legal Services, we can examine the facts of your case and determine exactly who was at fault. You can feel confident in knowing that we will keep you informed at every step of the legal process.

If its poor hiring practices created the conditions responsible for an accident and your resulting injuries, the trucking company may be liable under the theory of negligent hiring. This occurs when a company hires a driver it knew or should have known was incompetent at the time of his or her application for employment. Some examples of negligent hiring include the following:

• An employer that knowingly hires a truck driver who does not have a valid driver’s license, such as when the license is revoked or suspended;
• An employer that hires a driver who has a long history of traffic violations;
• An employer that fails to properly train its drivers; or
• An employer that does not conduct a proper background check before making a hire.

Depending on your specific case, there may be other situations that could be used to establish that a company was negligent in its hiring practices. In addition to showing this negligence, it also would be critical to identify a causal link connecting it to the accident in which you were hurt. For example, a trucking company may be liable when a driver with several DUIs on his record gets behind the wheel while drunk and crashes into another car. This is because the collision was a foreseeable result of the company’s failure to screen out this applicant during the hiring process.

Truck accidents may leave victims with long-term injuries that can be extremely costly to treat. As a result, the law allows victims of truck driver or company negligence to potentially recover many forms of compensation for their harm, including medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, property damage, and more. The exact amount of compensation a plaintiff will be able to obtain will vary depending on the nature and severity of the damages incurred.

Under Georgia law, personal injury claims usually must be filed within a certain time period, known as the statute of limitations. Thus, it is important to act quickly after your accident so that you do not run the risk of losing your legal right to compensation.

At Miller Legal Services, we have the skill and dedication to handle your case. Marietta truck accident attorney Norman Miller can diligently advocate for your rights during settlement negotiations and at trial if needed. We understand that this is a painful and stressful time, and you can expect the utmost respect from our entire team. We also represent accident victims in Roswell, Smyrna, and other Georgia communities. Call motor vehicle collision attorney Norman Miller at 770-284-3727 or contact us online to set up a free consultation.