Driving a commercial vehicle is a lot different than driving a car. These trucks can weigh up to 80,000 pounds when they are fully loaded, and handling one safely requires a thorough understanding of things like braking distance and how to manage cargo. When a trucking company puts someone behind the wheel who isn’t ready, the people around them pay the price in the event of a truck accident.
This problem comes up more often than you might think. The trucking industry has dealt with driver shortages for years, and some companies rush new hires onto the road with little more than the bare minimum of training. In the event of an accident, a Nashville attorney experienced in truck accident litigation may be able to help.
What Training Are Truck Drivers Required To Have?
Federal law sets baseline training rules for anyone who wants to drive a commercial truck. Per rules promulgated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), new drivers must complete an entry-level driver training (ELDT) program before they can get a CDL. This program covers both classroom learning and behind-the-wheel practice.
On top of that, trucking companies are expected to train their drivers on the specific trucks they’ll be using, the routes they’ll be running, and the types of cargo they’ll be hauling. A driver who has never pulled a tanker, for example, should get hands-on training before doing so for the first time.
How Does Poor Training Lead to Truck Accidents?
A driver who hasn’t been properly trained is much more likely to make a bad call in a tough situation. Some of the most common ways this plays out include:
- Not leaving enough room to stop in poor weather
- Taking turns too fast and causing the trailer to swing into other lanes
- Panicking when the vehicle’s brakes start to fade
- Merging into vehicles they can’t see because they don’t know their blind spots
- Loading cargo the wrong way, which can cause it to shift during transit
- Driving too fast for the conditions on the road
Any one of these mistakes can lead to a crash that changes someone’s life forever.
Who Is Liable When an Untrained Driver Causes a Crash in Tennessee?
The driver may share some of the blame, but the trucking company is often where the most liability lies. Tennessee law allows employers to be held responsible for what their employees do on the job under a legal theory called vicarious liability.
Beyond that, a company that fails to train its drivers properly can be held directly at fault for what’s known as negligent training. If the company knew (or should have known) that a driver wasn’t ready and put them on the road anyway, that could provide the basis for a valid personal injury claim.
Contact Woodard Injury Law for Help With Your Case
If you were hurt in an accident caused by a truck driver who wasn’t properly trained, you may be able to go after both the driver and the company that hired them. Contact Woodard Injury Law today at (615) 314-4626 to get started with your claim. We offer a free consultation and work on contingency, so you only pay attorney’s fees if we win money for you.