Truck Accidents Due to a Lack of Proper Driving Training: Who’s Responsible?
According to a large truck crash causation study conducted by the Federal Motor Carrier’s Safety Administration, inexperience is the third most commonly cited contributing factor in truck accidents. Employers are required to verify that their employees have a commercial driver’s license (CDL) before turning them loose in a big rig, but truck driving schools often graduate students in as few as 15 days before sending them to take the CDL test. So who’s responsible when an accident is due to a lack of proper training?
Truck accident cases can be highly complex because multiple parties are usually responsible for the truck’s safe operation. Philadelphia truck accident attorney, Heidi G Villari, is prepared to explore every possible legal option for compensating those injured in truck crashes.
The Driver’s Employer Can Be Held Liable
A trucking company is responsible for vetting the drivers it hires. At a minimum, employers need to verify that the employee is qualified, meaning they have a CDL license, a current medical certificate, and a clean driving record. Employers are also legally responsible for keeping unqualified or suspended drivers from operating commercial vehicles.
Truck Driving Schools Can Be Held Liable
Unfortunately, it’s perfectly legal for a truck driving course to last only three weeks or less. That said, truck driving schools still have a tremendous responsibility. These schools are businesses that are expected to manage and train their employees. For this reason, they can be held liable for the inadequate training of students by their instructors.
The Driver Can Be Held Liable
With any truck accident, driver negligence could be a significant factor, so of course, the truck driver may be held responsible as well. Not only that, but in the state of Pennsylvania, it is a driver’s responsibility to notify the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and their employer about certain things, including traffic convictions, license suspension, or license revocation.
As you can see, truck accident cases due to inexperience can be extremely complicated since more than one party can be at fault and multiple other factors are at play. If you’ve been injured in an accident, The Villari Firm can help. Contact us today for a free consultation about your truck accident lawsuit.
