An exceptional truck driver is a good decision-maker. has a proven driving record, and is knowledgeable about his vehicle, including its basic maintenance. An incompetent truck driver, on the other hand, is hesitant in making decisions and inept in performing his/her tasks. Both need skills and experience to become top-rated in their respective field.
In illinois, innumerable highways, roadways, and interstates converge. Do you share the road with good and experienced truck drivers – especially those who put a premium on safe driving practices? Or, do you drive with unskillful and inexperienced truck drivers on highways?
Thousands of commercial truckers carry heavy and unstable loads. They transport merchandise, including hazardous materials. They deliver these goods, often with unreasonable deadlines. While behind the wheel, they must stay focused and resist distraction. At the same time, they need to overcome fatigue caused by inadequate sleep and extended work hours.
That is just one side of the coin.
Add to that the current shortage of truck drivers amidst the unprecedented supremacy of e-commerce. On average, trucking companies need to hire 100,000 big riggers each year, due to industry growth and retirement. By 2022, there will be a shortage of some 245,000 truck drivers as projected by the American Trucking Associations.
With this development, many companies are constrained to hire inexperienced truck drivers, hoping that they will turn out good in the long term. Consider these findings from the FMCSA. Its study reveals that truck drivers with less than 5 years of experience are 41 percent more likely to cause a crash compared to drivers with 5 or more years of experience. What are the common causes of accidents involving inexperienced and unqualified drivers that can result in catastrophic injuries?
- Jackknifing occurs when the trailer portion of the truck swings to the side, creating a 90-degree angle from the cab.
- Rollovers happen when a truck turns onto the side or the top of the vehicle. Then, the truck is thrust onto its side and possibly rolls several times before stopping.
Rear-end collisions occur when a vehicle crashes into the one in front of it.
- Blind spot collisions happen when the driver is unable to see another vehicle due to his line of sight being blocked by a component in the vehicle.
Driver’s failure to do proper truck maintenance or to get adequate training on what parts of a truck to examine prior to driving.
- Driver’s failure to perform a pre-trip inspection at least every 24-hour driving period.
- Company’s negligence in the hiring or training of its truck drivers.
- Hazardous weather and road conditions, such as those caused by rain, sandstorms, fog, hail, etc., may adversely affect visibility or traction.
If you have been injured in a car accident, contact America’s Consumer Lawyer for a free consultation. Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people and not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, and your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you.
Lastly, America’s Consumer Lawyer is not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. You have nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.
