In February back in 2017, a tragic accident occurred due to the negligence of Werner Enterprises Inc. Felipe Johnson started a new job as a truck driver. Mr. Johnson had never driven an 18 wheeler before and was being “trained” by Werner Enterprises. According to Werner’s training program, Mr. Johnson should have not have been driving unsupervised at all. A supervisor should have been behind the wheel with him at all times. However, Werner kept assigning Johnson’s supervisor “just-in-time loads.” This basically meant the time his supervisor should have been observing him, he was sleeping in order to avoid service violations.
According to court records, Johnson drover 64% of the time unsupervised on his first four days. Four days later, Johnson crossed four lanes of traffic and a concrete median. He collided head-on with a Honda Pilot driven by Kathryn Armijo. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Leaving new drivers alone who never drove 18-wheelers before is incredibly irresponsible. The jury recognized this and awarded the family of the victim a total of $40.5 million.
This isn’t the first time Werner has been in trouble. In fact, this is the second case they lost this year. The other case also had very similar circumstances. A new driver and his trainer we doing a “just-in-time” load when they crashed through a median into oncoming traffic. A 7-year-old was killed, and a 12-year-old was left, a quadriplegic. The family of the victims was awarded over $90 million in that case.
Have You Been in an 18 Wheeler Accident?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident involving an 18 wheeler, you need an Attorney. Trucking companies put together strong legal teams in order to intimidate victims and deny them the compensation they deserve. Villarreal and Begum know exactly how these trucking company’s work and will fight for what is owed to you. If you or a loved one has been hit by an 18 wheeler, call The Texas Law Guns at our office or message us online. Your consultation is always free.
The Villarreal & Begum, LAW GUNS dedicates their time and effort towards helping people in Texas find justice for personal negligence encountered while living their normal, everyday lives.