Negligent Hiring and Supervision Practices Can Lead to Severe Truck Accidents

 Posted on June 22, 2022 in Truck Accidents

Trucking companies and carriers have a crucial responsibility to ensure that their trucks and the drivers who operate the trucks do not put others in danger. Commercial trucks are huge vehicles and accidents involving large trucks are often catastrophic. Nearly 5,000 people lost their lives in large truck collisions in 2020 and thousands more were injured.

In some cases, truck crashes or accidents caused by fallen truck cargo are caused by trucking company negligence. When trucking companies take shortcuts during the hiring process or supervision of truck drivers, the companies can be liable for any crashes that occur as a result.

Unqualified Truck Drivers Can Cause Crashes

Driving a large semi-truck, tractor-trailer, or flatbed is no easy task. It takes a great amount of skill to operate a large vehicle safely. Trucking companies must ensure that drivers are qualified to operate a commercial truck by properly vetting applicants.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires that commercial truck drivers are at least 21 years old and carry a valid commercial driver’s license. Applicants must pass both a written test and a driving test before they can begin work. The trucking company should review the driver’s driving history, accident records, employment history, and criminal history. Because drunk driving and drugged driving are often deadly behind the wheel of a semi, trucking companies must thoroughly vet prospective hires for drug or alcohol dependency issues or a history of substance abuse. Drivers must also get evaluated by a doctor to ensure they do not have medical problems that could hinder their ability to drive safely.

Unfortunately, some trucking companies are desperate for workers and they neglect these crucial steps. They end up hiring drivers who are not fit for the job. If a trucking company’s negligent hiring practices cause an accident, the trucking company may be required to pay damages.

Truck Accident Injury and Death Claims

Truck crash victims may be entitled to financial compensation for damages sustained in a truck crash. If a truck accident victim dies, his or her family may bring a wrongful death claim to hold the carrier responsible and recover damages.

Damages in a truck crash injury or death claim may include but are not limited to:

• Medical expenses
• Lost income
• Lost earning capacity
• Lost financial support
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Vehicle damage
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish

Contact a Springfield Truck Crash Lawyer

If you or a loved one were the victim of a truck crash, contact Kanoski Bresney to speak with one of our Decatur personal injury attorneys for help. Call 888-826-8682 for a free consultation today.

Sources:

https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/motor-vehicle/road-users/large-trucks/

https://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/safetyplanner/MyFiles/Sections.aspx?ch=23&sec=66