Is Truck Driver Training Adequate to Stop Trucking Accidents?

Truck Driving Schools May Need Higher Requirements

Before a truck driver gets a commercial driving license (CDL), they must undergo truck driver training. The nature of driving an 80,000 pound 18-wheeler or other big truck differs from a car and has unique challenges.

Many drivers underestimate the importance of training, despite the risk of getting into a truck accident. Driving a big truck is unpredictable, and even seasoned drivers get into accidents. Some collisions are unavoidable, due to events beyond one’s control. Some, however, are not, and are the result of:

• Distracted driving
• Lack of sleep/fatigue
• Inadequate driver training
• Speeding
• Substance abuse
• Poor vehicle maintenance

Truck Accidents and Driver Training – Driving a big truck might make one feel invincible, but these powerful vehicles aren’t immune to crashes. Without the right training, truck drivers put themselves and others at serious risk. The average truck driver trains for 28 to 35 days and gets by with the bare minimum of hours needed. Most truck driving schools offer training programs that last as long as four months. Yet, many truck drivers opt out of longer programs and resort to the shortest instead.

Most Truck Accidents are the Fault of Drivers

Commercial truck accidents have serious consequences, such as property damage, injury, and death. Statistics show that up to 90% of semi-truck accidents involve driver error or negligence. Driving schools cover compliance procedures and the technical aspects of the job, but truck drivers need extensive on-the-road training with a qualified driving instructor. Not all truck drivers receive this training because of driver shortages. Some are even pressured by employers to receive their license quickly, forgoing the necessary time needed to meet all requirements.

The minimum training requirement for driving a tractor-trailer as stipulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation is 150 hours of basic training, 80 hours of advanced training, and a 150-hour externship. Most driving schools offer this standard with training courses.

Once a truck accident does happen, a good automobile crash law firm will dig into the training background of the truck driver. First, they identify whether the driver met legal training requirements. The second step is determining whether the truck driver actually received adequate training. Some drivers forge the number of training hours they receive to start work sooner, which could contribute to an accident.

Fatalities Associated with Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are responsible for over a quarter of passenger vehicle deaths in the United States. A devastating 11% of truck drivers who get into a truck accident die from their injuries. Driving these large, complex vehicles comes with much more responsibility than a car. That’s why truck drivers have special licensing and training requirements.

Although the truck industry offers a plethora of perks and benefits, the job is not for everyone. Truck drivers work long hours and experience consistent pressure from tight deadlines. There is a shortage of truck drivers in the United States, and the truck industry has high turnover rates. With the growing population and its demands, there is always a need for more truck drivers. Due to these obstacles, employers are resorting to pressure to get drivers. They offer employees a job if they have a CDL. Since many drivers cannot afford to train for months without income, they cut corners. This cycle means that a lot of truck drivers don’t get the right training.

Big truck collisions are some of the most devastating accidents to occur on our roads. When a mistake is made while operating a big rig truck the potential consequences can be deadly. A veteran big rig injury attorney in West Houston knows exactly what to look for when handling lawsuits involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks.

Types of Trucking Accidents We Handle in West Houston and Across Texas:

• Jackknife Accidents
• Truck Rollovers
• Tire Blowouts
• Truck Driver DWI
• Wide Turn Accidents
• Blind Spot Accidents
• Read End Accidents
• Brake Failure
• Underride Accidents
• Lost Load Accidents
• Head-on Collisions
• T-Bone Collisions

West Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

Contact The Stephens Law Firm Accident Lawyers

If you were involved in a truck accident, our qualified attorneys are here can help. Our lawyers will ensure that the truck driver’s training background checks out. We also verify the driver’s employer, as well as check for the existence of repeated incidents. We also have the experience working in cases that involve deaths, if that’s your case with someone you loved, contact our West Houston accidental death lawyers to claim for your compensation.

Do not be a victim of driver negligence when it comes to a truck accident. We examine every facet of your case to ensure legal compliance and pinpoint driver responsibility. Contact our firm today at 281-623-1701 for a free no-obligation consultation. Our team is available 24 hours a day.

Truck Injury Attorney Near You