TX HB 19 Changes Trial Procedure for Truck Accident Lawsuits
6 min read
Truck incident lawsuits are particularly challenging. If you or a member of your household was in a collision with a professional truck, pursuing the payment you deserve will probably be an uphill fight. Recent alterations in Texas law make it a lot more complicated for plaintiffs to request highest damages for their injuries and losses.
Household Invoice 19 (HB 19) went into outcome September 1, 2021. The legislation amends the Texas Civil Practice and Cures Code to modify the trial proceedings for authorized actions involving professional vehicles and other vehicles made use of for professional applications.
Patrick Daniel Legislation has intensive expertise managing truck accident lawsuits, and we can enable you realize what might materialize if your case goes to trial. For a Free situation critique, be sure to phone (713) 999-6666 right now.
Do I Require to File a Truck Incident Lawsuit?
Not all truck accident circumstances go to demo. It may well be possible to negotiate a favorable settlement with no heading to court docket or even submitting a lawsuit.
On the other hand, the complicated troubles in truck incident promises generally make it required for claimants to file a lawsuit. Ultimately, making an attempt the scenario in court docket might be the only choice for in search of compensation.
A number of defendants could be liable in a truck incident lawsuit. Two of the most common are:
- The driver of the truck
AND - His or her employer (i.e., a trucking corporation)
Trucking providers are substantial and effective. While industrial carriers and their insurance policy firms will frequently test to stay clear of the uncertainty and price of a demo, it is not unusual for them to contest liability, make reduced settlement provides, and/or refuse to negotiate. If these troubles can not be defeat via negotiations, your lawyer might suggest submitting a lawsuit.
Read through Additional: What to Be expecting from Claims Towards Massive Trucking Providers
Truck Incident Lawsuits Under HB 19
When it was introduced, the sponsors of HB 19 argued that the bill would safeguard trucking businesses and other businesses from so-identified as “unjust and excessive lawsuits.” To do this, HB 19 changed the lawful course of action Texas courts use for promises involving semi-trucks and other commercial cars. Though trucking businesses and other companies can however be held liable for the accidents drivers trigger, the process for performing so is additional tough.
HB 19 establishes a bifurcated demo method for truck accident lawsuits. “Bifurcated” usually means divided into two. In accordance to Section 72.052 of the Texas Civil Practice and Solutions Code, a defendant will have to file a movement for a bifurcated demo prior to whichever of the pursuing dates is later on:
- “the 120th day right after the date the defendant bringing the motion files the defendant’s first response or
- “the 30th working day immediately after the day a claimant information a pleading introducing a declare or bring about of motion from the defendant bringing the motion.”
The courtroom will overview the movement and make your mind up whether to grant or deny the defendant’s request for a bifurcated trial.
How Do Bifurcated Trials Function?
A lot of professional motor motor vehicle accident statements are brought on the grounds of respondeat exceptional. Latin for “the grasp will have to respond to,” respondeat exceptional is a legal concept that imposes vicarious legal responsibility on an employer for the negligence of an worker though acting in the ability of his or her employment.
Less than the variations made by HB 19, claims primarily based on respondeat exceptional may only proceed if the defendant employer stipulates the subsequent:
“at the time of the incident, the person running the auto was:
- “the defendant’s staff and
- “acting within just the scope of work.”
– Texas Civil Practice and Solutions Code § 72.054
If a industrial carrier will make these stipulations, the plaintiff is barred from presenting proof from the employer for the professional driver’s “ordinary negligence” (i.e., carelessness or recklessness) unless the driver is found to be at fault for the accident. Correctly, this divides the demo into two individual phases: 1st will come the action against the driver, then will come the action in opposition to the employer.
A bifurcated demo for a industrial motor vehicle accident proceeds as follows:
First Phase
The legal responsibility of the staff defendant (i.e., the commercial driver) is established in the 1st period of a bifurcated demo. If the truck driver is found liable for the accident, the court awards the plaintiff compensatory damages. This might involve payment for:
- Earlier and future health care charges
- Decline of earnings
- Reduction of earning capacity
- Discomfort and suffering
- And a lot more
Under the bifurcation framework created by HB 19, proof from the trucking business is generally not admissible in the first demo period. Nevertheless, Texas Civil Exercise and Therapies Code § 72.053 allows proof of the failure of the employer defendant to comply with relevant regulations and expectations to be presented in the very first section of a bifurcated trial in the pursuing circumstances:
- “the proof tends to show that failure to comply with the regulation or regular was a proximate cause of the bodily injury or demise for which damages are sought in the action and
- “the regulation or standard is particular and governs, or is an aspect of a duty of treatment applicable to, the defendant, the defendant’s worker, or the defendant’s assets or products when any of these is at issue in the action.”
Additionally, if an employer defendant is subject matter to regulation beneath the Motor Carrier Security Advancement Act of 1999 or Chapter 644 of the Texas Transportation Code, evidence of the pursuing could also be introduced in a bifurcated trial’s initially stage:
- The conditioning and skills of the employee driver at the time of the incident, including:
- Licensing and restrictions
- Disqualifications from driving a professional car or truck
- Out-of-service orders
- Professional medical certification
- Texting and other mobile phone usage
- Refusal to submit to screening for a controlled material
- The employer defendant’s actions prior to the incident concerning:
- Authorizing the employee driver to function a commercial motor automobile
- Screening for controlled substances
- Out-of-service orders
This evidence could only be presented in the very first period of a bifurcated trial in support of a claim of negligent entrustment (i.e., the employer entrusted a business vehicle to a driver who was not capable to run it).
Next Phase
If the court finds that the truck driver “was negligent in working an employer defendant’s business motor vehicle” in the very first phase of a bifurcated demo, this “may serve as a basis for the claimant to commence in the next stage of the demo on a declare in opposition to the employer defendant” (Texas Civil Exercise and Cures Code § 72.052). All through the 2nd stage of demo, the court docket will also make a perseverance as to punitive or exemplary damages.
Exemplary damages may perhaps only be awarded if the plaintiff presents clear and convincing proof that the harm occurred as a final result of fraud, malice, or gross carelessness on the section of the defendant (see Texas Civil Exercise and Therapies Code § 41.003). This is a higher conventional than the just one essential to show ordinary carelessness. Solid proof from the trucking company (which includes prior violations) is expected to prevail.
Get Support with Your Truck Incident Lawsuit
One particular yr right after it was enacted, the full consequences of HB 19 on truck incident litigation nevertheless keep on being to be found. If you had been severely injured or misplaced a beloved just one in a truck incident, you should not have to worry about legal complexities. You require an skilled lawyer with a thorough comprehension of the legislation who can enable you navigate your case.
Patrick Daniel Regulation has intensive encounter handling truck incident lawsuits. We are Strategic, Meticulous, and Cruel in our commitment to maximizing payment for our customers. This may consist of negotiating a favorable settlement on your behalf or filing a lawsuit and (if required) using your situation to trial.
Speak to Patrick Daniel Law now for a No cost situation review. Legal professional Patrick Daniel serves purchasers in the course of Houston, all of Texas, and nationwide.
