Injured in an Accident Caused by an Underqualified Trucker? Our California Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help.
In 2016, more than 4,400 commercial vehicle accidents resulted in death and over 100,000 resulted in injury, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Quite a few of these accidents were caused by inadequate or improper training.
In 2006, the FMCSA released its large truck crash causation study analyzing truck accident data gathered between 2001 and 2003. It found that 13.1% of crashes involving commercial trucks were caused by the truck driver’s lack of knowledge about the vehicle and safe road maneuvers. Specifically, 6.6% of accidents happened because the driver failed to take proper action and 6.5% of drivers were unfamiliar with their truck.
Commercial Driver’s License Requirements
Information about the truck and road laws is supposed to be covered in truck driving school, which is required before an individual can get their commercial driver’s license. Interestingly, the FMSCA does not require individuals to have a minimum number of classroom hours or behind-the-wheel training before they take the CDL test. As long as the individual can pass the theory portion of the CDL exam with an 80% and show proficiency in behind-the-wheel skills, they can get their commercial license.
Truck Driver Training
Various schools or companies offer truck driver education, but the quality of instruction delivered at the agencies is not consistent, and some potential truck drivers might not receive the same level of training as others. In as little as a few weeks of schooling, the individual can get behind the wheel of a large commercial truck.
It takes a great deal of skill to properly drive a truck, and with inadequate training or supervision, the new driver might not know how to operate the vehicle safely. A truck must be deftly maneuvered to merge onto a highway or avoid debris in the road. Poorly trained drivers risk getting into an accident because they cannot carry out these actions correctly.
Trust Your Case to Our Knowledgeable Lawyers
Accidents involving commercial trucks can cause a great deal of devastation because of their size and weight. If you or a loved one was injured or lost their life in a collision with a truck, you may be able to pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim against the responsible party.
Backed by over 100 years of combined legal experience, our California truck accident lawyers can adeptly handle your case and provide you with sound legal guidance to work toward getting the compensation you deserve. We understand that no amount of money can make up for your losses, but pursuing a claim can help you obtain justice, showing the at-fault driver that their actions will not be tolerated and preventing similar accidents from happening in the future.
Discuss your case with the skilled lawyers at Torem & Associates by calling us at (888) 500-5000 or contacting us online.
