Truck Accidents Are Rarely Simple. Liability Often Depends on Control, Employment Status, and What Went Wrong Behind the Scenes.

Accidents involving 18-wheelers are far more complex than typical car crashes. These cases often involve multiple parties, layers of insurance, and federal trucking regulations.

One of the first questions injured victims ask is:

Who is actually responsible—the truck driver, the trucking company, or both?

In Texas, the answer depends on several key factors, including control, employment status, and whether company policies or failures contributed to the crash.

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Is the Truck Driver Always Responsible?

Truck drivers can be held personally responsible when their negligence causes an accident. This may include:
  • Speeding or reckless driving
  • Driving while fatigued
  • Distracted or impaired driving
  • Violating traffic laws
However, truck drivers are rarely the only party involved. In many cases, their actions are closely tied to decisions made by the trucking company.
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When Is the Trucking Company Liable?


Trucking companies can be held responsible under several legal theories, including vicarious liability and direct negligence.


Under Texas law and federal trucking regulations, a company may be liable if:


  • The driver was acting within the course and scope of employment
  • The company exercised control over the driver or the truck
  • The driver was operating leased equipment under the company’s authority

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations often require carriers to assume responsibility for drivers operating under their permits—even when lease agreements are involved.

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Vicarious Liability and “Scope of Employment”


A trucking company is generally responsible for a driver’s actions if the driver was performing job-related duties at the time of the crash.


This includes situations where the driver was:


  • Making deliveries
  • Transporting cargo
  • Operating under dispatch instructions

If the driver was on a personal errand or outside the scope of employment, the company may attempt to avoid liability—but these arguments are heavily scrutinized.

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Negligent Hiring, Training, or Supervision


Even when a company denies responsibility for a driver’s actions, it may still be liable for its own negligence.


Examples include:


  • Hiring drivers with poor driving histories
  • Failing to properly train or supervise drivers
  • Ignoring safety violations or red flags
  • Allowing medically unfit drivers to operate trucks
  • Failing to inspect or maintain vehicles

Texas courts have held trucking companies accountable when unsafe hiring or maintenance practices contribute to serious accidents.

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Independent Contractors and Liability


Trucking companies often argue that drivers are “independent contractors” to avoid responsibility. While this label matters, it is not decisive.


Texas courts look at the right to control, including:


  • Who controls routes and schedules
  • Who owns or maintains the truck
  • Who sets safety rules
  • Who supervises daily operations

If the company maintains significant control, it may still be held liable—regardless of how the driver is classified on paper.

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When the Trucking Company Is Not Liable


There are cases where the trucking company may not be responsible, such as when:


  • Another driver’s actions were the sole cause of the accident
  • The driver was acting outside the scope of employment
  • The company had no control over the driver or vehicle

Every case turns on its specific facts, and liability must be carefully investigated.

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Why 18-Wheeler Accident Claims Are Different


Truck accident cases often involve:


  • Multiple defendants
  • Federal and state regulations
  • Large insurance policies
  • Aggressive defense strategies

Determining who is responsible requires a deep look into driver records, company policies, logbooks, maintenance files, and contractual relationships.

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Talk to a Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorney


If you’ve been injured in a collision with a commercial truck, identifying all responsible parties is critical. Trucking companies and insurers move quickly to limit exposure—and early legal action can preserve key evidence.


Our firm represents injured Texans in serious truck accident cases across the state.


If an 18-wheeler caused your injuries, don’t assume only the driver is responsible.

Contact Wyde & Associates today to evaluate your case and protect your right to full compensation.

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