Car accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental death in the United States every year. The chance of an accident resulting in a fatality or serious injury greatly increases when one of the vehicles involved is a large truck. It is not an exaggeration to say that sometimes, some trucking companies eschew safety in favor of profit.

While many trucking companies promote safe practices, even a few bad apples can result in fatal accidents. Therefore, it is important to hold trucking companies accountable for their actions and protect motorists and pedestrians. According to statistics, every year in the United States, people and authorities have to deal with around 500,000 truck accidents, among which about 5,000 are deadly. Unfortunately, many people solely blame the truck drivers, forgetting that some companies’ practices might also play a crucial role in the story.

When people get in car accidents involving a truck, they usually seek legal help from attorneys specialized in truck accidents. Therefore, if you were the victim of a traffic accident involving a truck, you should see more info about truck accident cases, as you will need to have solid representation. Your lawyer will deal with the drivers, insurance companies, truck companies, etc., and you have to be ready for what comes next. The right legal team can fight for your rights, so you get the proper compensation.

Nevertheless, it is less about the truck driver, the insurance adjuster, or the law firm representing the other parties. Sometimes, it is about trucking companies and the ways they contribute to traffic accidents via vicarious liability. Simply put, it means that liability is not on the person committing the act (traffic accident) but on those who have authority over the person who committed the act (the company hiring the truck driver).

So let’s see how such companies can sometimes be responsible for the massive truck accidents occurring every day and claiming property and lives!

Poor Driver Screening

One way in which some trucking companies endanger the public is by failing to screen their drivers properly. Therefore, it is important to run a thorough background check on drivers, especially their driving records. Putting a driver with a history of drunk driving behind the wheel of a large truck is just asking for an accident to happen.

When trucking companies need to fill a vacant spot quickly, some companies will bypass this step to get their truck back out on the road as quickly as possible.

Poor Training Standards

Drivers of any vehicle must have proper training. However, when it comes to a large truck, the need for thorough training increases exponentially. This training is critical because of the added difficulty of maneuvering a large truck compared to a small passenger vehicle. It is also essential because of the increased safety risks posed by a large truck.

Ensuring proper safety training means a time commitment both for trainers and trainees. That makes two people who could be out on the road making deliveries instead of spending their time on training. Some trucking companies don’t give their drivers enough training because they want them to work as quickly as possible.

Improper Vehicle Maintenance

One of the most common causes of large truck accidents is an improperly maintained vehicle. As any car owner knows, it is important to perform routine maintenance on your vehicle. Not only is it essential to ensure that your car runs well and has the highest fuel efficiency possible, but it is also critical to keeping you safe on the road.

As with every situation when comparing trucks to passenger vehicles, everything is amplified. Therefore, the importance of keeping large trucks properly maintained is critical for the safety of the driver and anyone else sharing the road.

Unfortunately, this is another area in which some trucking companies try to cut costs. However, cost-cutting is not the only reason that some large trucks do not receive proper maintenance. At other times, it is due to trucking companies that neglect to implement standard maintenance checks as part of a scheduled procedure.

Pushing Drivers Too Hard

Trucking companies operate with a “time is money” mindset. The same thinking is shared by all delivery services, including local food delivery. The quicker you get to your destination, the sooner you can take another run. Unfortunately, many trucking companies push their drivers far too hard to make as many runs as possible and earn the most money they can.

There are often unrealistic goals set for drivers, with the implication that if they fail to meet those goals, they will lose their jobs. Sometimes trucking companies use the approach of offering the carrot rather than using the stick. This rewarding approach can take the form of an incentive program, with bonuses being offered if a driver can do their run within a certain amount of time.

Whichever approach is taken, the results can be just as devastating. Truck drivers will often drive while tired, sometimes taking drugs to stay awake. They will push themselves beyond the laws that govern how much they can drive in a day to meet their goals. Some drivers will also speed and perform unsafe maneuvers to save time.

What Should I Do if Involved in an Accident With a Large Truck?

After seeking medical attention for any injuries you may have suffered in your accident, the next thing you should do is to contact a lawyer. An experienced truck accident lawyer can help hold the trucking company responsible for any negligent actions they may have taken, which led to your wreck.

They can also help to get you compensation to help you recover and get back on your feet. Getting your life back to normal after a serious truck accident is always difficult. Having a lawyer accustomed to taking on the high-priced legal team that the trucking company will likely throw at you is essential to getting fair compensation.

Author: Mark Scott

With a law degree under his belt and years of experience, Mark Scott set off to make the law more accessible to all. He decided to help people lost in the maze of legal terminology to find their way. Mark writes clear and concise pieces and gives simple advice that is easy to follow. On account of positive feedback from readers, he decided to dedicate more of his time to this goal and became a legal columnist. In his writings, Mark covers a wide array of topics, like how to seek legal counsel, or how to deal with different procedures. Furthermore, he directs his readers toward other trustworthy resources for more in-depth information.