New Texas bill will protect trucking companies but not the drivers

In Texas was discussed a bill that could soon protect trucking companies from the liability of road accident. In this case, all responsibility would be shifted to the driver involved in the crash.

“The commercial vehicle industry continues to be under attack,” said John Esparza, president of the Texas Trucking Association. “We’re seeing dramatic increases in large verdicts.”

If adopted, the bill require plaintiff to prove that the trucking company was “grossly negligent”. Otherwise, only the truck driver involved in the accident would be liable for damages.

On Tuesday, March 9, the bill passed its first hearing in the Texas House Committee on Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence.

The author of the bill, state Rep. Jeff Leach of Plano, said that the current version of the bill has “fairly significant” flaws and required amendments.

Leach claims that this bill will protect businesses from frivolous lawsuits.

Critics of the bill argue that this change in the law will give the go-ahead to all trucking companies.