Werner Enterprises is one of the largest trucking companies in the country, with a massive fleet of 18-wheelers and commercial trucks making long-haul and “final mile” deliveries to homes and businesses nationwide. And while most of those trips go as planned, the company has a long and troubling history of crashes tied to preventable safety violations.
Since 2023 alone, Werner trucks have been involved in more than 800 accidents—including over two dozen fatal collisions.
If you or a loved one was hit by a Werner truck, it’s critical to understand your legal rights, what steps to take after the crash, and how an experienced truck accident attorney can help you recover the maximum compensation you deserve.
About Werner Enterprises
Werner Enterprises is a major player in the U.S. trucking industry, generating over $3 billion in annual revenue. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the company employs more than 13,000 people—including 9,107 truck drivers operating one of the largest commercial fleets in the country with 9,851 trucks and commercial motor vehicles.
While Werner is known for moving massive volumes of freight nationwide through its regional, long-haul, and expedited services, many current and former drivers have raised serious concerns about the company’s practices and culture. Numerous reports online describe drivers being overworked, underpaid, and misled during the hiring process. Despite being promised easier routes, drivers are often tasked with multiple physically demanding stops each day.
Others claim that safety is frequently overlooked, with mechanical issues ignored or passed along to the next driver—putting both workers and other motorists at risk.
Werner Enterprises’ History of Unsafe Driving
Over a two-year period from March 2023 to March 2025, Werner trucks were involved in at least 806 accidents, including 21 fatal crashes and 231 injury crashes.
Despite maintaining a “satisfactory” safety rating from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Safety Measurement System (SMS), Werner’s safety record tells a different story. Over the same two-year period, the company racked up thousands of violations, including:
- 2,829 vehicle maintenance violations indicating repeated failures to keep trucks in safe working condition
- 1,607 unsafe driving violations such as speeding, distracted driving, and following too closely
- 526 hours-of-service (HOS) violations reflecting systemic issues with drivers being pushed beyond federal limits, increasing the risk of fatigue-related crashes
These violations point to more than isolated incidents—they suggest a pattern of trucking company negligence, where profits and delivery times are prioritized over driver and public safety.
When a company with this level of influence and resources fails to meet even the most basic safety standards, the consequences can be devastating for innocent drivers sharing the road.
What Causes Werner Enterprises Truck Accidents?
There are a number of factors involved in causing or contributing to truck or 18-wheeler crashes. However, some of the most common causes of preventable Werner truck accidents include:
Driver fatigue and Hours of Service (HOS) violations
Werner drivers have been cited over 100 times for exceeding the legal driving limits and falsifying their logs—clear signs that fatigue is a chronic issue within the company. When drivers are pushed to meet tight deadlines or freight quotas, they become exhausted behind the wheel. Fatigued driving slows reaction time, impairs judgment, and dramatically increases the risk of high-speed, high-impact collisions.
Hiring inexperienced and unqualified drivers
A total of 61 violations were issued to Werner drivers for operating without a valid Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), while under suspension, or without required medical certification. Putting unqualified drivers behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound vehicle isn’t just irresponsible—it significantly raises the likelihood that basic driving errors or poor decision-making will turn a minor incident into a deadly crash
Failing to provide proper training
Werner drivers consistently receive violations for failing to properly use Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), a legal requirement intended to prevent fatigue-related accidents. This points to a company culture where shortcuts are tolerated and training is insufficient. When drivers aren’t taught or encouraged to follow the law, their errors can escalate into devastating, multi-vehicle accidents.
Failing to perform legally required pre and post-trip vehicle inspections
Over 560 violations for flat, audibly leaking, or underinflated tires suggest a troubling disregard for basic vehicle safety. Routine inspections—required before and after every trip—could have prevented many of these issues. When a truck suffers a tire blowout or mechanical failure at highway speeds, it often results in catastrophic loss of control.
Speeding, distracted driving, and other reckless traffic violations
Werner drivers have been cited 94 times for speeding 15 mph or more over the limit, 46 times for speeding in work zones, and more than 350 times for ignoring stop signs, stop lights, and other traffic controls. They’ve also been cited hundreds of times for texting or using mobile devices while driving. These high-risk behaviors make crashes not only more likely, but far more severe—especially when combined with the sheer size and weight of a commercial truck.
Drug use and intoxication
While less frequent, the five citations for driving under the influence or possessing controlled substances are especially alarming. Even a single impaired truck driver poses a serious threat to everyone on the road, and any instance of intoxication behind the wheel of a big rig should be treated as a systemic failure in screening and enforcement.
What to Do If You Were Injured in a Werner Enterprises Truck Accident
If you were hit by a Werner Enterprises truck, the most important thing to do is prioritize your safety and protect your rights.
1. Take Action Immediately After the Crash
- Call 911 and wait for emergency responders.
- Document the scene by taking photos and video of your vehicle, the truck (including damage and markings), road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Get the truck’s DOT number, license plate, and insurance information, along with the driver’s name and contact details.
- Speak honestly with police, but never admit fault or speculate about the cause of the crash.
2. Get Medical Attention Right Away
Even if you feel okay, go to the ER or urgent care. Some injuries—especially head, neck, or internal trauma—may not show symptoms immediately. Prompt treatment also creates a clear medical record that protects your claim.
3. Protect Your Legal Rights
- Follow all doctor’s orders and attend every appointment or physical therapy session.
- Keep a file of crash details, receipts, police reports, and notes about your pain and how your injuries impact your life.
- NEVER speak to Werner’s insurance company or adjusters before talking to a truck accident attorney. The insurance adjuster’s goal is to reduce or deny your claim—not help you recover.
Werner has a long track record of safety violations, unqualified drivers, and maintenance failures. After a crash, their team will act fast to minimize your recovery and attempt to escape justice. You need a legal team with the experience and resources to hold them fully accountable.
How Our Undefeated Texas Truck Accident Lawyers Can Help
From the moment a Werner truck hits you, the company and its insurers will mobilize a team of lawyers, investigators, and adjusters—all working to protect their bottom line and avoid responsibility. They’ll blame you for the crash, discredit your injuries, and stop at nothing to pay you far less than what you truly deserve.
That’s why you need a team with the experience, resources, and results to take on the largest trucking companies in the world and not only win, but set records. At Zehl & Associates, we’re undefeated in truck accident cases, with the largest verdicts and settlements in history against some of the biggest names in the industry.
Here’s how we help our clients from day one:
- We prove what really happened—and fast. Our truck accident attorneys know exactly where to find critical evidence, how to preserve it, and how to use it to hold Werner Enterprises and its drivers fully accountable.
- We force the trucking company to take responsibility. With an unmatched track record and reputation, we devote the full force of our firm to each case, forcing trucking companies to pay record-setting settlements or face a record-breaking verdict at trial.
- We never settle for less. If an offer doesn’t fully compensate you for your injuries, future care, and lost earnings, we take the case to court, where we’ve never lost.
- We prepare every case for trial. Our opponents know we won’t back down, which is why they settle with us for more—often much more—than they offer other firms.
- We’re undefeated—because we don’t accept anything less than full justice and compensation. Our attorneys have recovered Billions for truck and 18-wheeler accident victims, including the #1 largest verdicts and settlements in history.
- We take care of you like family. From connecting you with the best doctors in the country to helping with living expenses and financial planning while your case is pending, our team is with you every step of the way.
When you choose us, you choose a team that doesn’t just fight back—we set records doing it.
But don’t just take our word for it. Hear why our clients say: “Zehl & Associates makes sure you don’t have to worry about a thing.”
Undefeated Texas 18-Wheeler Accident Attorneys: 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult
With Billions won, our Texas truck accident lawyers have earned a national reputation for recovering the largest truck and 18-wheeler accident verdicts and settlements in history for our clients. We do whatever it takes to stand up, fight, and win against the largest trucking corporations in the world.
If you or a loved one were injured in a Werner Enterprises truck or 18-wheeler accident, our Undefeated Houston Truck Accident Lawyers will hold the trucking company accountable and make sure that you and your family receive the compensation you deserve.
Call 1-888-603-3636 for a free consultation or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us form.
All consultations are free—and you won’t pay a dime unless we win your case.
We proudly serve Harris County, Midland County, and throughout the state of Texas. We are located in Houston and Midland and throughout the state of Texas:
Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Houston
2700 Post Oak Blvd #1000, Houston, TX 77056
(888) 603-3636
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Zehl & Associates Injury & Accident Lawyers – Midland
306 W Wall St Suite 701, Midland, TX 79701
(432) 220-0000
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