The aftermath can be devastating—especially for the victims left dealing with serious injuries, emotional trauma, and financial uncertainty. If you’ve been hurt in a crash involving a commercial truck, you may be facing overwhelming medical bills, lost wages, and a long road to recovery. If a truck hit you, you may be wondering: Will the driver be held accountable? Can a truck driver be fired for an accident?
Understanding the consequences for negligent truck drivers and their employers can help you make sense of what happened and how to seek justice for your injuries.
Will a Trucking Company Fire a Driver for Causing a Crash?
Yes, trucking companies can fire drivers after a crash, but their decision depends on several factors, including the severity of the crash, who was at fault, and the company’s internal policies. This means that some drivers who cause serious harm may continue working unless strong evidence proves their negligence.
For victims, understanding whether the driver who hit them had a history of reckless behavior can be crucial. If the company failed to address repeated violations or safety concerns, they could share responsibility for your injuries and owe damages as well.
Why Do Trucking Companies Fire Drivers After Crashes?
From our experience handling truck crash cases at Cooper Elliott, we’ve seen that trucking companies evaluate multiple factors when deciding whether to fire a driver. A key element is often evidence of driver negligence. Key considerations usually include:
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Safety Violations: Did the driver break traffic laws or ignore safety regulations?
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Crash History: Has the driver been involved in previous accidents?
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Severity of the Crash: Did the crash cause significant injuries, fatalities, or extensive property damage?
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Drugs or Alcohol: Was the driver under the influence at the time of the crash?
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Financial and Legal Impact: Will the trucking company face lawsuits or rising insurance costs?
Negligence has a serious impact on the outcome after a truck accident. If a trucking company allows a negligent driver to continue working despite clear risks, they could be putting more lives in danger.
Common Types of Truck Crashes That Cause Severe Injuries
Trucking accidents happen in many ways, but some of the most devastating types include:
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Rear-End Collisions: Large trucks take longer to stop, and when they crash into the back of a passenger vehicle, the impact can be deadly.
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Jackknife Accidents: A truck’s trailer swings out at an angle, blocking multiple lanes of traffic and causing multi-vehicle pileups.
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Underride Crashes: A smaller vehicle becomes trapped underneath a truck’s trailer, often leading to catastrophic injuries.
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Head-On Collisions: When a truck crosses the centerline or loses control, the force of a head-on impact can be fatal.
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Rollover Crashes: A truck tipping over can crush nearby vehicles or spill hazardous cargo onto the roadway.
All of these crash types can leave victims with life-altering injuries, requiring long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Common Injuries in Truck Crashes
The size and weight of commercial trucks – which can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when fully loaded – mean that crashes often lead to severe injuries. We’ve helped numerous clients deal with the resulting severe injuries, which can include:
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Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): From concussions to permanent brain damage
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Spinal Cord Injuries: Including paralysis and nerve damage
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Multiple Fractures: Broken bones requiring surgery and extensive recovery
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Internal Organ Damage: Life-threatening injuries that may not be immediately visible
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Severe Burns: From fuel fires or chemical spills
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Lacerations and Scarring: Deep wounds that leave permanent marks
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Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Emotional trauma that lasts long after the crash
Each injury requires its own specialized approach to medical care, rehabilitation, and compensation evaluation.
For a free legal consultation, call 614-481-6000
Your Path to Recovery After a Truck Crash
After a truck crash, your recovery is about more than just healing—it’s about holding the responsible parties accountable and securing the financial support you need to move forward. We help truck crash victims pursue compensation for:
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Medical Expenses: Covering hospital bills, surgeries, rehabilitation, and long-term care
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Lost Wages: Compensation for missed work and reduced earning potential
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Pain and Suffering: Addressing the physical and emotional toll of the crash
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Property Damage: Repair or replacement of your vehicle and personal belongings
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Ongoing Care Needs: Costs of therapy, home modifications, and assistive devices
How We Can Help You Recover After a Truck Crash
At Cooper Elliott, we understand that a truck crash can leave you feeling helpless and overwhelmed. You may be struggling with pain, financial stress, and uncertainty about the future. But you don’t have to go through this alone.
Our experienced legal team is here to fight for your rights, hold negligent truck drivers and their employers accountable, help you secure the compensation you deserve, and to answer questions for you like, Can a truck driver be fired for an accident? We’ve seen firsthand how truck crashes impact victims and their families, and we are committed to guiding you through every step of your case.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck crash, contact us at Cooper Elliott today to learn how we can help. Your recovery matters, and we are here to support you every step of the way.
Call or text 614-481-6000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
