Ruling highlights the fact that companies are responsible for accidents caused by poorly trained employees.
A few months ago, a Texas jury awarded $28.4 million in damages to two Texas women who were injured while riding in a company vehicle.
The accident occurred in 2010, when driver Delfina Salazar sped through a yellow light on Highway 44 near Corpus Christi, Texas. Salazar’s vehicle was struck by another vehicle while in the intersection, and passengers Angelique Briones and Elida Briones were both severely injured. Angelique, 40, needed surgery for a back injury, and her mother, Elida, 57, also had to have surgery for her neck injury.
Although the company that owned the vehicle, LeFleur Transportation of Texas, Inc., repeatedly denied responsibility for the accident leading up to the trial, the Briones’ attorney was able to present clear evidence that convinced the jury that Salazar’s poor judgment in running the yellow light stemmed from inadequate familiarity with reasonable driver safety standards. Because all companies are responsible for ensuring the competence of the individuals they put behind the wheels of their vehicles via proper driver safety training, the jury found that LeFleur Transportation was responsible for the accident and for the injuries and suffering of the two plaintiffs.
This case should serve as an important reminder for anyone who is injured in a car accident involving a company vehicle: Do not just target the driver; also target the company when preparing a personal injury lawsuit. Because companies have more financial resources (and often better insurance coverage) than individuals, targeting a company increases the likelihood that you will be able to actually receive adequate compensation for all your pain and suffering, even if your injuries were extensive and required hundreds of thousands of dollars of medical care.
Here are several other important pieces of information to remember when faced with a personal injury lawsuit stemming from an auto accident.
1. You can target multiple parties in your lawsuit.
2. You can file a lawsuit even if you were partially responsible for the accident.
3. You need to consider current and future medical expenses when seeking compensation.
4. Just because you win an award does not necessarily mean it will be easy to collect.
5. You can get a free consultation to learn more about your potential for recovering damages at the Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas.
