Trucking Company Hammered by Jury in Fatal Central Texas Crash
When companies keep big rig drivers with an unsafe driving history on the road, they put the public at risk – in Texas and beyond.
A central Texas man perished in a crash with an 18-wheeler driven by a trucker with multiple accidents and tickets which were known by his employer, O’Reilly Auto Parts.
A Dallas county jury awarded the family of Manuel Galindo $37.9 million, dividing the liability 60% for O’Reilly Auto Parts and 40% for its driver, David Shoots. Shoots lost control of his rig on an icy highway near Burnet, Texas and hit a guardrail, blocking all lanes of Highway 29. Galindo, approaching the scene, was unable to stop, smashing into the big rig.
Dallas County Jury Calls to Account O’Reilly Auto Parts
Evidence in the case showed that Shoots’ truck was stuck blocking the road for several minutes yet didn’t put out reflective cones in time to warn oncoming motorists. In addition, in the three years before the fatal crash, Shoots was in three accidents involving O’Reilly property and two roadway collisions. He also received two speeding tickets and a “How’s My Driving?” complaint, and was involved in a rear-end collision in his personal vehicle.
The deceased, Mr. Galindo, was a husband and father of two teenage children. Companies have a responsibility to the driving public to employ safe, conscientious drivers for their big rigs. Unsafe drivers should be relieved of their driving duties before tragedy strikes.
Here’s a compilation of several serious truck accidents – the roads can be very dangerous.
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Need Help After a Serious Truck Accident?
If you’ve been involved in a semi-truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the truck driver’s employer, the truck driver, the company that owned the truck, the shipping broker, or others. The layers of liability and insurance coverage in trucking cases are complex. To ensure full justice and compensation, you need an experienced truck accident liability attorney.
The Callahan Law Firm focuses on truck, semi-truck accidents and other commercial vehicle accidents. We prepare your case for trial to focus on obtaining maximum compensation so you can return to a productive life as soon as possible.
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Michael S Callahan is an attorney and founder of The Callahan Law Firm. He focuses his practice on representing individuals and families in personal injury cases involving motor vehicle and truck accidents, workplace accidents and defective products. With over 25 years of experience, he is dedicated to fighting on behalf of people whose lives have been forever altered by the negligence and carelessness of corporations and individuals. Originally trained as a mechanical engineer, Michael has been practicing law and fighting for justice for those who need it most since 1994. He is board-certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and a member of various esteemed legal associations. Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending quality time with his family, outdoor activities, and continually striving to improve as a trial lawyer and human being.
