The Law Offices of Chaikin and Sherman, P.C.
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Phone - 202.659.8600
Fax - 202.659.8680
Truck Driver Experience
Washington, D.C., Maryland & Virginia
Driving a commercial tractor-trailer is nothing like driving a regular passenger vehicle. If a truck driver does not have the proper training and experience to operate their vehicle, the odds of a serious truck accident occurring greatly increase. Unfortunately, heavy competition in the trucking industry often leads companies to place inexperienced, untrustworthy drivers behind the wheel of these formidable trucks.
If a truck accident occurs and another motorist is seriously injured as a result, the motor carrier can be held responsible for any unlawful or inadequate hiring and screening methods that put an unqualified truck driver out on the road.
The Importance of Experience in Commercial Trucking
Safely operating a large commercial vehicle is not just a matter of knowing the proper driving techniques. Earning your commercial driver’s license also involves learning how to:
- Recognize hazards and respond appropriately
- Balance and secure loads
- Couple and uncouple the vehicle
- Interact with traffic
- Regularly inspect the vehicle
Additionally, truck drivers must go through further testing and training to drive specific types of commercial vehicles, such as trucks with double or triple trailers, tanker trucks, and trucks carrying hazardous materials.
One of the most overlooked aspects of truck safety is proper maintenance. Truck drivers are responsible for inspecting their vehicles at the beginning and the end of each work day, checking for faulty brakes and steering mechanisms, tire pressure, load balance, and more. This responsibility is easy to neglect if a driver lacks the experience needed to correctly identify problems.
Cutting Corners With Inexperienced Truck Drivers
The trucking industry is the largest employer in the United States it also has one of the largest employee turnover rates. Trucking companies are constantly on the lookout for new drivers, but because of the high demand, the most experienced and qualified candidates are rarely available to hire.
To keep up with their competitors, some companies may resort to hiring drivers who do not have the experience and qualifications needed to safely handle a commercial vehicle. This leads to companies cutting corners on testing, and compromising (or falsifying) important records regarding the licensing and training of their drivers.
If you have been seriously injured in a truck accident because of an inexperienced driver, make sure you are getting the compensation you deserve. Please contact our experienced Maryland and Virginia truck accident attorneys today to schedule a free initial consultation.
