The average truck driver will drive almost 100,000 miles in a year, often spanning a huge geographic area. By spending this much time on the road, truck drivers are passively interacting with thousands and thousands of other drivers. If a truck driver is not properly trained or is negligently hired, they could be putting these thousands of people at risk for improper operation of these large, powerful vehicles.
Trucking companies have a responsibility to themselves as well as to the public to train their drivers for proper operation of these vehicles. But this training or proper hiring does not always occur. If you are ever involved in an accident with an 18-wheeler it could be important to consider whether negligent hiring or training played a part in your accident.
There are a few common violations when it comes to negligence on the part of trucking companies. The first is an hour-of-service violation. Federal regulations specify how long a driver may drive in one period and how long they may be on duty. Trucking companies are responsible for enforcing these regulations and making sure their employees are aware of the regulations.
Also, a failure of a trucking company to properly train their drivers could result in dangerous situations. 18- wheelers are massive vehicles that can cause great physical and property damage if they are mishandled. Proper training is crucial for protecting the public and the drivers themselves from these accidents. Part of this training is teaching drivers to inspect the vehicle they are driving every time before they depart. Companies also have a responsibility to inspect any vehicles that they own and operate as well.
Finally, trucking companies are responsible for the hiring of their employees. Truck driving is a demanding occupation and trucking companies need to properly assess whether or not the people they hire are fit to complete the duties assigned to them. Driver’s who repeatedly violate company regulations or have a pattern of misbehavior should not be allowed to drive.