Owner-Operator, Independent Contractor, Company Driver – Three Types of 18-Wheeler Truck Drivers and Why that Matters in Your Houston 18-Wheeler Truck Accident Case
If you were injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident in Houston that was not your fault, you more than likely have thought about your options when it comes to compensation. In Houston, individuals who have been injured in 18-wheeler truck accidents due to the negligence of the semi-truck driver may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, including medical expense reimbursement and medical costs, compensation for lost future wages, damages for pain and suffering, and other important money compensation. However, the liable party in an 18-wheeler truck accident is not always clear-cut and those who have been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident may be confused about the different types of truck driver employment and what that means for their case. In this article we explain the three major types of truck driver employment schemes and how that might impact a Houston 18-wheeler truck accident case.
The Ins-and-Outs of 18-Wheeler Truck Driver Employment in Houston– Owner-Operator, Independent Contractor, and Company Driver
In Houston, there are three major categories of 18-wheeler truck drivers when it comes to truck driver employment. Owner-operator 18-wheeler truck drivers typically own their own semi-trucks and are classified on a tax-basis as 1099 independent contractors. For that reason, independent contractors and owner-operators are similar, as they both are not technically “employees” of the company, and, instead, own their own trucking business but do work for other companies. A company driver is an 18-wheeler truck driver who is employed on a W-2-basis by a trucking company. The company driver typically does not own their own semi-truck, but uses one that the employing 18-wheeler trucking company owns.
Why the 18-Wheeler Truck Driver’s Employment Scheme Matters in Your Houston Semi-Truck Accident Case
In Houston, under Texas laws, when a person is injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident due to the truck driver’s negligence or recklessness, and the truck driver is a company driver, they may be entitled to compensation not just from the individual truck driver, but also from the 18-wheeler truck driver’s employer. However, in the case that a person is injured in a semi-truck accident caused by an owner-operator or independent contractor, they are likely only able to bring a case for damages against the individual 18-wheeler truck driver. This legal principle is called respondeat superior, or, literally, “the master must answer.” Under this principle, employers can be held liable for the negligent acts of employees when those acts are done within the scope of the employee’s employment.
Help with Your 18-Wheeler Truck Accident in Houston
If you have been injured in an 18-wheeler truck accident in Houston, it is important to learn about your rights and options as soon as possible. The experienced Houston truck accident lawyers at the Gilde Law Firm offer a free and confidential consultation to learn about your 18-wheeler truck accident, and to see if they can help fight to get you compensation due. Contact the Gilde Law Firm today and speak with an experienced Houston truck accident lawyer about your rights and options today.
