Imagine an 80,000-pound vehicle operated by someone who lacks the skills to navigate complex traffic conditions, manage fatigue, or understand the critical nuances of commercial driving. You wouldn’t want to share the road with this dangerous driver, yet it happens all the time.
Proper truck driver training isn’t a luxury. It’s a fundamental safety precaution that stands between safe travel and severe accidents. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we understand the life-altering impact of commercial truck accidents. Our lawyers fight for justice and fair compensation for truck accident victims in St. Louis.
If you were injured in a crash caused by negligent truck driver training, our experienced legal team wants to review your inadequate truck driver training claim and explain your legal options. Contact us today for a free consultation.
How Inadequate Driver Training Causes Truck Accidents
Commercial truck driving requires a specialized set of skills. Maneuvering semi-trucks and other large commercial vehicles is much different from driving a standard passenger car. Truck drivers are expected to transport large loads, react to heavy traffic and inclement weather, and maneuver in tight spaces. When a truck driver’s training falls short, the results can be catastrophic.
Missouri truck drivers are expected to undergo specific training before they receive a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Training includes entry-level driver training before passing a CDL skills test. If the driver is transporting hazardous materials, they’ll also need a special hazmat endorsement, which includes a separate written test.
Truck driver training saves lives. Many trucking companies offer additional training to prepare truckers for the reality of the roads. When they fail to train drivers for their specific jobs and potential challenges, it can be deadly. For example, poorly trained drivers who don’t know how to handle issues like proper braking techniques or how to avoid jackknifing can cause multi-vehicle pileups.
What Is Considered Negligent Truck Driving?
Negligent truck driving occurs when a truck driver fails to meet the duty of care that is expected of a truck driver under similar circumstances. Inadequate training increases the risks of negligent driving. Improperly trained drivers often lack the skills and judgment needed to handle large commercial vehicles in real-world conditions.
Commercial truck drivers are held to a higher standard than the average person on the road. They’re expected to follow specific state and federal trucking regulations and use appropriate truck-driving techniques to complete each trip safely. When they fail to meet that standard, they may be liable for any injuries that result.
Examples of negligent behavior that often stem from insufficient training include:
- Improper turning techniques – Large trucks require wide turns, especially in urban areas. Drivers who don’t understand or haven’t practiced proper turning techniques risk rollovers or wide-turn collisions.
- Failure to recognize blind spots – Commercial trucks have substantial blind spots. Drivers who aren’t trained to check these areas before changing lanes or merging can cause serious side-swipe accidents.
- Improperly secured cargo – Training should include ensuring loads are properly balanced and secured to prevent shifting during transit. A poorly secured load can lead to spills, rollovers, and loss of control.
- Improper braking techniques – Braking in a commercial truck differs from in a passenger vehicle. If a driver doesn’t know how to brake on steep inclines, they may cause a jackknife accident or rear-end the vehicles in front of them.
Victims of these and other preventable truck accidents deserve justice. Our St. Louis trucking accident attorneys can investigate trucking company liability and pursue maximum compensation for your injuries.
Who Is Liable for a Truck Accident Due to Poor Training?
Liability for truck accidents can rest with several parties, depending on the unique circumstances of your case. Common parties include:
- Trucking companies, when accidents result from inadequate training
- The driver, if they drove negligently despite training opportunities
- Third-party training programs that deliver subpar instruction
Trucking company liability often arises from neglecting the legal obligation to vet and train drivers properly. If the truck driver was an employee, not an independent contractor, the employer trucking company would be vicariously liable for the driver’s negligence.
How to Prove a Truck Driver Was Negligently Trained
Proving a truck driver was negligently trained can be difficult. Working with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer from the Sumner Law Group, LLC, is instrumental in proving negligence and recovering compensation.
Our attorneys can investigate your claim and look for evidence of inadequate training, including training records and certifications, company policies regarding education and testing, and testimony from employees and expert witnesses.
Compensation Available for Victims of Truck Driver Negligence
The compensation you could receive for your accident will depend on the severity of your injuries and how the accident has impacted your life. Common types of damages include:
- Past, present, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages, including diminished earning capacity if applicable
- Pain and suffering, including emotional distress
- Property damage, such as repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Punitive damages, in rare cases of egregious negligence or recklessness
Common Injuries in Accidents Caused by Negligent Truck Drivers
Semi-trucks weigh anywhere from 35,000 pounds when empty to 80,000 pounds fully loaded. The weight makes them particularly dangerous in accidents. Truck accident victims often suffer traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, organ damage, internal bleeding, and other catastrophic harm. Victims often report emotional and psychological trauma as well, ranging from anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Such severe injuries can have lifelong consequences. Our skilled St. Louis truck accident attorneys can calculate the full extent of your losses and advocate for full and fair compensation.
Why You Need Our St. Louis Truck Accident Lawyers for Your Case
Insurance companies have a vested interest in paying as little as possible for your claim. Proving inadequate training is difficult without a knowledgeable lawyer on your side. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, winning means everything to us because we know winning means everything to you. With over 50 years of combined experience, our attorneys have recovered millions for injured people.
Don’t face insurance companies and negligent trucking companies alone. Let our firm fight aggressively for the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.
