Atlanta Inadequate Truck Driver Training Accident Attorney

Operating a commercial motor vehicle safely involves more than taking a course and practicing for a few hours. Truck drivers require extensive training before they can handle a large truck safely and effectively. Training involves not only learning to use different types of brakes, transmissions, and other systems, but it also meaning understanding how to react to situations such as inclement weather, traffic, blown tires, and narrow roadways.

Without adequate training, truck drivers are more likely to cause a crash where another more experienced driver would be able to avoid the collision or at least minimize the damage. If you incurred injury in an accident with a commercial truck, one of the first things we look at is if driver error was the result of inexperience or inadequate training.

How Inadequate Training Causes Accidents

The country is in the midst of a truck driver shortage. Because of the long hours and lifestyle of those in commercial trucking, companies have a hard time hiring and retaining employees. Sometimes, desperation to get truckers out on the road and moving goods can cause trucking companies to cut corners and neglect proper training. Inadequate driver training can result in disaster. An inexperienced driver may:

• Drive off the road or swerve out of their lane.
• Poorly execute turns.
• Stop too late.
• Panic or overreact to situations.
• Use improper braking techniques that lead to jackknifing.
• Violate his or her hours of service or maintenance logs.
• Change lanes too quickly.
• Drive too fast for weather conditions.

Who’s Liable for an Accident?

While driver error may cause an accident, the truck driver’s employer is ultimately responsible for hiring and retaining qualified drivers. Truck companies have important legal responsibilities throughout several parts of a trucker’s employment:

• During the course of a hire, companies must ensure a driver has their CDL and any applicable endorsements. During a training period, they must also build upon a new driver’s basic qualifications and ensure they can operate a commercial vehicle competently before hitting the road on their own.
• Throughout the course of a trucker’s employment, companies must also conduct random drug testing and ensure their employees adhere to federal regulations set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

Since each truck driver is a representative of their employer, a trucking company is ultimately responsible for his or her actions. When driver error plays a role in a truck accident, it’s often a matter of negligent hiring or improper training.

Damages in Personal Injury Claims

A personal injury claim will help victims of trucking accidents gain compensation for their injuries. Types of damages include:

• Those resulting from economic harm. A personal injury settlement will help compensate for medical bills, lost wages, and address any loss in earning capacity. In the event of permanent or debilitating injury, it may also provide compensation for ongoing medical care or rehabilitation.
• Compensation for general losses. A personal injury settlement can also provide recourse for pain, suffering, or loss of quality of life.
• Punitive measures. In some cases, we may be able to pursue punitive damages, which make an example of the negligent party and discourage wrongdoing in the future.

Schedule Your Free Initial Consultation

Contact the Atlanta truck accident attorneys at Butler Prather LLP for help understanding the implications of a commercial vehicle accident. We will help you determine the parties responsible and gain compensation for your injuries. We offer our legal services on a contingency-fee basis, which means you’ll only owe a fee if we win a settlement or court judgment.

Don’t pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Contact us online or call us at 800-242-2962 today to schedule your free case evaluation.