Trucking is a dangerous industry, with enormous vehicles that can cause an immense amount of damage in collisions. Every year, thousands of people die and suffer serious injuries in trucking accidents. One contributing factor is a lack of proper or adequate truck driver training.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a trucking accident, contact our Wilmington truck accident lawyers at Shipman & Wright for a free consultation today. Call (910) 762-1990.
Federal Truck Driver Training Requirements and Regulations
Since commercial trucks transport goods across state lines, this industry is regulated by federal law. An agency known as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, or FMCSA, creates and enforces various trucking laws. This includes truck driver training requirements.
The FMCSA has Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) regulations that set baseline training requirements for new truck drivers. This training must be provided by a registered party. It covers basic and advanced truck operation and safety practices, as well as behind-the-wheel training.
New drivers must also be trained on FMCSA laws that apply to them, such as hours of service restrictions, required rest breaks and cargo handling. In addition, semi-truck drivers must undergo training and pass tests to receive their commercial driver’s licenses (CDL). This is a required license for all big rig truckers.
What Are the Risks of Inadequate Truck Driver Training?
Operating an 18-wheeler takes special skills and knowledge. It is not the same as driving a regular motor vehicle. When a truck driver does not receive adequate training, he or she may not know how to safely control a truck and avoid accidents.
Inadequate training can create many crash risks, such as:
- Breaking federal safety laws
- The inability to safely drive the truck
- A lack of knowledge of how the truck operates
- Underestimating stopping distance
- Following others too closely
- Miscalculating the size of the truck
- Making unsafe lane changes
- Violating traffic laws
- Being unable to handle emergencies
Skipping training sessions or cutting corners when it comes to driver training can have consequences, such as a truck driver who does not know how to properly brake, turn, maneuver or handle blind spots. This greatly increases the odds of a truck accident.
If you have been hit by a truck driver, contact our Wilmington car accident attorney to discuss your legal options today.
Wilmington, NC Trucking Accidents and Inadequate Driver Training
When improper truck driver training or inexperience behind the wheel plays a role in causing a truck accident in North Carolina, someone can be held accountable. North Carolina is a fault-based insurance state, meaning the party at fault for causing a motor vehicle accident can be held financially responsible, or liable, for the victim’s injuries.
In a crash caused by inadequate truck driver training, the trucking company or entity responsible for the driver can be held vicariously liable. It is the employer’s legal responsibility to hire qualified drivers and ensure that they are properly trained before allowing them out on the road. Failing to do so can make the company liable for a related accident.
Contact our Wilmington truck accident attorneys at Shipman & Wright to schedule your free consultation today.
When to Contact a Truck Accident Attorney in Wilmington, NC
If you are a victim of a trucking accident caused by inadequate driver training, you may be eligible for financial compensation for your medical bills, property damage, and more. However, truck accident cases in North Carolina can involve complex laws, including federal truck driver training regulations.
It can be difficult to navigate these laws while also dealing with your physical injuries and emotional recovery in the aftermath of a serious truck accident. Work with a truck accident attorney in Wilmington to make the legal process easier and more effective. To speak with a Wilmington truck accident lawyer in detail about your specific case, contact Shipman & Wright for a free consultation.