Inadequate Driver Training

Wheaton and Schaumburg Attorneys for Truck Accident Victims

Countless things can go wrong when an inexperienced driver attempts to drive a commercial truck. If you’ve been hurt in a truck crash which you believe was caused by a driver who had inadequate driver training, our Wheaton and Schaumburg truck accident lawyers can diligently work to help you pursue the money damages you require to address your losses and injuries. We have extensive experience handling commercial truck crashes, and assist each client based on their individual circumstances.

Inadequate Driver Training

There are many differences between driving a car and driving a truck, which is why commercial truck drivers require a special license. Unfortunately, a number of truck accidents take place every year due to insufficiently trained truck drivers. According to a study by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, inadequate training caused thousands of truck accidents between 2001 and 2003. In fact, 6.5 percent or an estimated 9,000 of the crashes examined by the report involved a truck driver who was not familiar with the vehicle, having driven it fewer than six times in the prior six months. Drivers who were going too fast for road conditions caused almost one fourth of the crashes looked at by the study. About 11 percent of wrecks were the result of drivers who were too aggressive behind the wheel, or who were following the vehicle in front of them too closely. These errors could indicate a lack of proper training because truck drivers with more knowledge or experience would ideally not make these mistakes, understanding the risk of accident associated with such behavior.

Filing a Lawsuit After a Truck Accident

Inadequate driver training coupled with a truck weighing almost 80,000 pounds moving at high speeds can lead to a devastating accident. If you or someone close to you was injured in a truck accident that you believe was caused by inadequate driver training, you can likely hold that driver accountable through a personal injury lawsuit. Victims of truck accidents suffer some of the most serious injuries, which can be expensive and time consuming to treat. A lawsuit can help you recover compensation for, among other things, medical expenses, lost wages, damages, pain, suffering, and mental distress.

In the context of truck accidents, negligence occurs when a truck driver causes a crash by failing to adhere to a standard of reasonable care while driving. Reasonable care is defined as how a reasonably competent truck driver would have acted under the same circumstances. For instance, if a truck driver caused an accident because he or she failed to load a vehicle properly due to never being trained properly, that driver may be liable. In such a scenario, the trucking company could be liable as well, and a dedicated truck accident lawyer can help you hold the company responsible for damages.

Truck Company Liability

Trucking companies who put inexperienced drivers on the road may be liable for an accident caused by the driver’s negligence. In other words, a trucking company can be held directly liable for inadequate driver training that results in injuries and damages to others, assuming that an employment relationship exists between the driver and the company. Trucking companies who employ drivers have a responsibility for hiring and retaining qualified truck drivers who will drive safely. Not only must truck drivers be properly licensed, but they must also pass background checks before being hired. In addition, a trucking company is required to obtain data about the driver’s history, including prior employers and the driver’s driving record, including in other states. Lastly, all trucking companies are required to follow regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration as well as state law, which includes training drivers to be in compliance with relevant laws.

Skilled Truck Accident Attorneys Serving Wheaton and Schaumburg

If you were hurt in a truck accident that was caused by inadequate driver training, we may be able to help. At Therman Law Offices, our hardworking Wheaton and Schaumburg lawyers are committed to protecting your rights every step of the way. When acting as your legal advocate, we can fight to protect your rights and interests to help you seek the compensation you need to move on with your life. We proudly serve clients from Arlington Heights, Elgin, Bartlett, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Streamwood, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Wood Dale, and Roselle. For more information, please call us at 312-588-1900 or contact us online.