The Dangers Posed By Unqualified Florida Truck Drivers
When you are driving on Florida roads, you usually assume that each motorist behind the wheel is qualified to drive. The last thing you expect is for an unqualified motorist to be behind the wheel. But, unfortunately, not every driver in Florida is qualified to be behind the wheel.
All unqualified drivers are extreme hazards. Even so, unqualified truck drivers are more dangerous than drivers of regular vehicles. As just another Florida motorist, you may come across a questionable trucker. Unfortunately, unqualified truckers pose a danger not only to themselves but to other road users as well. Every time an unqualified truck driver gets behind the wheel and drives along Florida roads, they put every other road user they come across in danger. Unqualified truck drivers have the potential to cause disastrous accidents each time they get onto Florida roads.
Trucks are heavier than regular cars, and a collision with a truck can be deadly. If a truck accident doesn’t lead to death, it will likely lead to severe injuries. If you were severely injured in a Florida truck accident caused by an unqualified truck driver, you might be eligible for compensation. Also, if a loved one was killed in a Florida truck accident caused by an unqualified truck driver, you may be qualified to receive compensation. So, reach out to a skilled attorney for help.
What Makes a Truck Driver Qualified in Florida?
Generally, to qualify as a truck driver in Florida, one must obtain a Commercial Driver License/CDL. For a driver to obtain a CDL, they must pass certain knowledge and skills tests. Moreover, an individual must have the right CDL for the type of vehicle they are driving.
Driver Shortages Might Be Encouraging Poor Hiring Habits
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, since 2005, the American Trucking Association (ATA) has been arguing that there is a shortage of truck drivers in America. Over 3 million people work as truck drivers in the United States of America, but the workforce is still low for the needs of Americans. Because of the shortage of truck drivers, trucking companies may choose to cut corners when hiring drivers. Such behavior can lead to the hiring of unqualified truck drivers.
Apart from wrongful hiring practices, an unqualified truck driver might end up on the road through the use of deceitful tactics such as;
- Falsifying medical records
- Cheating on the exams
Common Accidents Caused by Unqualified Truck Drivers
Regardless of how an unqualified truck driver gets on the road, an unqualified trucker can cause serious collisions that can lead to injuries or death. Some of the accidents unqualified truck drivers can cause include;
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Over-height accidents
- Head-on collisions
Legal Help Is Available
Was an unqualified truck driver the cause of the accident that led to your severe injuries or those of your loved one? Was a loved one killed in an accident caused by an unqualified truck driver? If so, our Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help you obtain compensation. We can assess your case and determine which damages you are entitled to. With our years of experience, we can help you successfully handle your personal injury or wrongful death claim. Contact the Pendas Law Firm today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Miami, Orlando, Jacksonville, Bradenton, Ocala, Fort Lauderdale, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, and Tampa areas.
Resource:
bls.gov/opub/mlr/2019/article/is-the-us-labor-market-for-truck-drivers-broken.htm
