Large truck accidents can be especially dangerous simply because of the size and weight of the load they are carrying. Add in an inexperienced truck driver, and you could have a disaster on your hands.
We are going to look more in-depth at the trucking industry, what is required to be a driver, and how trucking schools, companies, and the government are working to keep the roadways as safe as possible.
Truck Accidents and Inexperienced Driver Training
In 2019, 5,237 large trucks and buses were involved in not just vehicle accidents but fatal crashes. The less experience that these large truck drivers have in driving, the more risk that the driver will cause an accident becomes. This is one reason The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has tightened the requirements for those training new drivers.
The FMCSA states that trainers must have two or more years of experience driving trucks before they can teach others. The hope is that new drivers will receive better, more comprehensive training than someone still learning themselves would be able to give.
Why Can New Drivers Cause More Truck Accidents?
Think about when you were a new driver. Did you handle a car in the same way you do now? Are you more cautious in the way you drive now? Hopefully, over the years, you’ve been able to gain experience and gather knowledge that has helped you become a better driver. You’ve seen or experienced some of the consequences of careless driving or speeding through intersections, and because of those experiences, you become more aware and careful.
New truck drivers are no different. Learning to handle a large truck can be difficult and it certainly takes time and years of experience to master. Some of the top reasons why commercial truck drivers are the cause of more accidents than those that are experienced include:
Speeding – New truck drivers tend to drive too fast and don’t quite comprehend the danger that a tight turn or quick stopping cars ahead of them can be. A jackknife accident or rollover crash can happen suddenly when a new driver panics and doesn’t know how to handle the truck properly.
A truck that is poorly maintained – New drivers don’t know the ins and outs of their trucks quite yet and so maintaining their rig doesn’t always happen properly. Things like underinflated tires or faulty brakes can be deadly on the road.
Bad weather conditions – Inexperienced drivers already have enough to worry about on the road in perfect weather conditions. When you add in snow, fog, and icy roads, it could be a recipe for disaster. New drivers often misjudge the dangerous conditions and can end up sliding off the road and hitting other vehicles in an instant.
Increased Amount of Young Truck Drivers
In general, the trucking industry is a low-paying, demanding career with rising turnover rates of up to 96% for some large carriers. Most complaints include low pay, long work hours, and time away from home as a continual struggle. When you hear low pay, hard work, and long days away from home, the trucking industry isn’t really where anyone would want to build their career!
Fewer and fewer people are staying in the trucking business long-term, leaving the trucking industry short by over 50,000 drivers currently. The draw to allow younger and younger drivers behind the wheel is compelling to these truck carriers for obvious reasons.
Inexperienced Truckers and Other Drivers
You can’t drive on the highway these days for very long without passing a large semi-truck, delivery truck of some kind, or large bus. With the increase of younger truck drivers and more inexperienced drivers on the road, the general public is in increased danger, whether they know it or not.
Think about how often you see someone cut off a fully loaded semi-truck just to get ahead of them. Even the most experienced drivers can have a hard time slowing down or stopping in these situations. We all need to be more aware of truck drivers and the amount of road they need to be able to safely slow their rig down.
Lawsuits After Truck Accidents
If you are involved in an accident with a truck and feel it was at least partially due to the fault of the driver (inexperienced or not), you can file a suit against the driver themselves and/or the trucking company. An attorney with experience in truck accidents can help you prove liability and fault, as well as help you determine if your case could be successful in court.
The attorneys at Wormington & Bollinger know that no matter the compensation you receive for your injuries or the death of a loved one, it can’t make your pain and suffering go away. And it will never bring back the loss of a family member. It can, however, help take the financial burden off you. Being able to pay for medical expenses, property damage, lost income, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, and more can help you begin again and move forward.
Injured in a Truck Accident?
If you or a loved one has been involved in one of the many truck accidents that occur each year, you know that the injuries are typically very serious and often fatal.
Many truck carriers work to do their part with proper and adequate training and certifications as well as hiring experienced drivers that maintain their rig and do all they can to stay safe on the road. Still, others only care about making money. Therefore, if someone gets hurt in the process, they will deal with the consequences later. These are the companies that the legal team at Wormington & Bollinger wants to be sure are held accountable.
Large trucking companies can be intimidating to recover damages from. Still, Wormington & Bollinger will help you navigate the complexities and aftermath of truck accidents, getting you the compensation you deserve for a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. For more information, contact us today.