Trucking accidents are often far more complex than standard car accidents due to multiple factors. These factors include the enormous size of trucks and the strict federal regulations governing the trucking industry.
While truck drivers are commonly blamed for accidents, the trucking companies that employ them frequently bear a significant portion of the responsibility. These companies are responsible for ensuring that their operations comply with safety regulations and that their drivers are well-trained and capable of handling their vehicles safely.
Let’s see why trucking companies are often liable for truck accidents.
Negligent Hiring Practices
Trucking companies have a legal obligation to hire qualified and responsible drivers. However, many companies fail to conduct proper background checks, allowing inexperienced, reckless, or unqualified drivers to operate large commercial vehicles. Hiring a driver with a history of traffic violations, DUIs, or substance abuse issues increases the risk of accidents, making the company liable when a crash occurs.
Not only this, but trucking companies sometimes overlook federal licensing and training requirements to fill positions quickly. Drivers who lack the necessary commercial driver’s license (CDL) training, endorsements, or experience may not be fully prepared to handle a large truck, leading to errors that cause severe accidents.
When a crash results from a company’s failure to properly vet its drivers, the company can be held responsible for the resulting damages.
Failure to Train Drivers Properly
Even when a trucking company hires licensed drivers, it must also provide adequate training to ensure drivers understand federal safety regulations, defensive driving techniques, and how to handle emergencies.
Many trucking companies rush the training process or fail to conduct ongoing education, leaving drivers ill-equipped to deal with real-world challenges on the road.
For example, if a driver is unfamiliar with how to maneuver in bad weather, handle sudden braking, or secure cargo properly, they may cause rollovers, jackknife accidents, or cargo spills. In such cases, the trucking company can be held liable for failing to provide adequate instruction that could have prevented the accident. Proper training is an industry requirement, and failure to meet it is a clear sign of negligence.
Forcing Drivers to Exceed Hours of Service Limits
Truck drivers are required to follow the Hours of Service (HOS) regulations set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). These rules limit the number of hours a driver can be on the road to prevent fatigue-related accidents. However, trucking companies often place unrealistic deadlines and pressure on drivers to complete deliveries faster, forcing them to drive longer than allowed.
Driver fatigue is one of the leading causes of trucking accidents, as it impairs reaction time, reduces focus, and increases the likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel. If a company encourages drivers to violate HOS rules, they can be directly liable for any accidents caused by an overworked driver.
You can work with experienced truck accident attorneys to determine if the truck driver was operating out of hours of service, and the trucking company can be held liable.
Poor Truck Maintenance and Repairs
Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their fleet is properly maintained and inspected according to federal safety regulations. Trucks require regular inspections, brake checks, tire replacements, and engine maintenance to prevent mechanical failures that could lead to crashes. However, many companies skip routine maintenance to save money or keep trucks on the road longer.
When a truck experiences brake failure, tire blowouts, steering malfunctions, or lighting issues, the trucking company may be held liable for the accident. Failure to document maintenance records, conduct proper inspections, or repair known defects can serve as evidence of negligence in a personal injury lawsuit.
Overloading or Improperly Loading Cargo
The way a truck’s cargo is loaded plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and stability on the road. Federal regulations specify weight limits and proper cargo securing methods to prevent rollovers, shifting cargo, and jackknife accidents. Unfortunately, some trucking companies disregard these rules to maximize profits, allowing trucks to be overloaded or improperly loaded.
Overloaded trucks require longer stopping distances and put excessive strain on brakes, tires, and suspension systems. Improperly secured cargo can shift during transit, causing the truck to tip over or lose control. If an accident occurs due to violations of cargo regulations, the trucking company can be held responsible for failing to ensure proper loading procedures were followed.
Failure to Conduct Drug and Alcohol Testing
The FMCSA mandates that trucking companies regularly test their drivers for drugs and alcohol to ensure they are not operating vehicles under the influence. This includes pre-employment testing, random testing, post-accident testing, and testing for reasonable suspicion. However, some trucking companies neglect these responsibilities or fail to take action when a driver tests positive.
A driver under the influence of alcohol or prescription medications poses a significant risk to public safety. If an impaired driver causes an accident, the trucking company can be held accountable if they failed to conduct required tests or allowed a known substance abuser to continue driving. Such negligence can result in severe legal consequences for the company.
Encouraging Reckless Driving Behavior
Trucking companies often operate under strict delivery schedules, pushing drivers to meet tight deadlines even when it means taking risks. Some companies reward drivers for fast deliveries or impose penalties for delays, indirectly encouraging speeding and reckless driving.
When a trucking company creates a work environment that prioritizes speed over safety, they can be held responsible for accidents caused by reckless driving. If a driver was found to be speeding or making aggressive lane changes, the employer may be liable for promoting a culture of dangerous driving practices.
Manipulating or Falsifying Records
To cover up regulatory violations, some trucking companies engage in fraudulent record-keeping by altering driver log books, tampering with GPS data, or falsifying maintenance records. This unethical practice is often done to hide excessive driving hours, skipped inspections, or unqualified drivers.
If an accident occurs, investigators can uncover evidence of falsified records, proving that the trucking company was deliberately violating safety laws. This can lead to hefty fines, lawsuits, and even criminal charges against the company. When fraud is involved, courts are more likely to award higher compensation to victims, as it demonstrates willful negligence on the part of the trucking company.