Truck Accidents Caused by Lack of Driver Training
Truck drivers are quite crucial in society. These professionals are responsible for transporting goods across vast distances, connecting manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and consumers. Truck drivers meet the daily needs of countless people. Because the operation of commercial vehicles presents a unique set of challenges, training is crucial for truck drivers. For instance, commercial trucks are heavier than regular vehicles. Training is necessary to teach drivers how to operate these huge vehicles safely. Unfortunately, an alarming number of truck accidents occur because of inadequate truck driver training.
Training Requirements
In the United States of America, individuals are required to undergo training and take tests before they can possess a commercial driver’s license (CDL) and drive commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has put in place guidelines that cover the type of training holders of CDL are required to undergo and the type of tests they are required to take. CDLs are issued by individual states, but the FMCSA sets the requirements and standards.
Training programs cover various aspects of truck driving, including, but not limited to, the following;
- Basic operation of a CMV
- Safe operation practices
- Hours of service compliance
- Roadway and traffic laws
Once a driver has the job, it is up to the employer to ensure the driver follows all FMCSA regulations.
Lack of Driver Training Is Dangerous
Truck drivers are at a higher risk of causing accidents when they do not have adequate training. Lack of training can impact a driver’s ability to safely operate a truck in many ways, including the following;
Navigational Challenges
Inadequately trained truck drivers may face navigational challenges that may result in accidents. For example, an unskilled truck driver may find turning, changing lanes, and negotiating tight spaces challenging.
Cargo Handling Issues
The training that truck drivers are required to undergo focuses on more than just driving skills. It also entails being taught about how to handle cargo. Adequate training involves learning how to load and secure cargo properly. A truck driver without the proper training may, for example, load cargo onto a truck incorrectly, leading to a loss of balance. This can lead to catastrophic accidents.
Inability to Understand Safety Systems
Trucks have advanced safety systems meant to prevent accidents. A driver who lacks the proper training may not understand how to use the available safety features, thus increasing the likelihood of an accident.
Inadequate driver training can contribute to a range of accidents, including the following;
- Rear-end accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Jackknife accidents
- Lane departure accidents
- Run-off-the road accidents
- Cargo-related accidents
When it comes to injuries, inexperienced truck drivers can cause accidents that result in several types of injuries, including the following;
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Neck injuries
Liability for Truck Accidents Involving Inexperienced Drivers
When a truck driver causes an accident due to lack of training, the victim or the victim’s family can hold the truck driver liable for injuries and damages. It may also be possible to hold the truck company responsible.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Miami personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can help if you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident due to a trucker’s lack of training. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Jacksonville, Tampa, Ocala, Orlando, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, West Palm Beach, Naples, Melbourne, Fort Myers, and Fort Lauderdale areas.
