Truck accidents are those that, besides property damage and emotional trauma, can cause severe injuries. Drivers may be considered the only culprits of a trucking accident; however, the companies, too, can be found liable.
Sometimes, company policies, negligence, or even actions contribute directly to an accident. It is important to understand these instances to see accountability for the victims and to have justice served.
Negligent Hiring Practices
One of the more common ways employers may be found liable involves negligent hiring. Hiring incompetent or inexperienced drivers increases the chances of an accident. Trucking companies must ensure that a driver has a valid CDL and sufficient training to maneuver large vehicles safely.
Failure to adequately check a truck driver for previous driving infractions such as reckless driving or substance abuse can lead to clearly preventable accidents. Negligence from the trucking company may arise if the company fails to check into the appropriate factors of the truck driver. To learn how to handle this situation and the specific laws, visit https://www.truckaccidentslawyer.com/.
Poor Driver Training
The trucking company is also obliged to ensure drivers are properly trained. Driving a commercial truck entails more than driving skills; it includes handling the vehicle, safety measures, and even federal laws. If the company fails to ensure well-trained drivers, the propensity for accidents becomes very high.
For instance, such a driver may fail to handle blind spots, make wide turns, or even secure the cargo properly. In this respect, the absence of training on the part of the company directly contributes to the accident, and the company becomes liable for all the damages.
Poor vehicle maintenance
One of the many responsibilities of trucking firms involves ensuring their fleets are in the proper condition concerning road safety. This will require frequent inspections, repairs, and assurance in maintaining their safety standards.
Negligence in maintenance, such as brake, tire, and light checks, may also cause the accident. In this case, the brakes may not work correctly and allow the truck to stop on time, and worn tires can burst easily. If it is determined that an absence of maintenance caused the accident, then the trucking company can be sued.
Improper Cargo Loading
Proper loading of cargo in the truck is related to stability and handling. An overloaded truck, improper cargo securing, or uneven weight distribution triggers off rollovers, jackknifing, and load spills.
Trucking companies are supposed to ensure that cargo is loaded correctly and within the weight limits set forth by federal regulations. When those standards are ignored, one can directly link negligence on the part of the company with the accident.
Conclusion
In most trucking accidents, the fault does not necessarily lie with the driver. The responsibilities of trucking companies include ensuring safety on the road by hiring qualified drivers, providing proper training, maintaining vehicles in the fleet, and following regulations. When they fail in these areas, they can and must be held responsible when accidents occur.
Victims can build their cases to seek fair compensation and justice if they can identify how the trucking company is at fault.