Poor Training

Delaware Injury Attorneys Protecting the Rights of Clients Injured in Truck Accidents Caused by Poor Training

Experienced personal injury attorneys serving Wilmington, Newark & Seaford, Delaware

Drivers of commercial trucks are required to meet the special training requirements by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) in the form of a commercial driver’s license (CDL) in order to be able to safely operate those massive machines safely. If the truck driver is poorly trained, or if he or she is not tested correctly, the chances of that driver causing a serious accident can increase. At the Delaware law offices of Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, located in Newark, Seaford and Wilmington, skilled truck accident attorneys are always nearby to help you after a crash or accident. We know how to conduct a thorough accident investigation. We work to obtain justice on your behalf in the form of compensation for your injuries and property damage.

Liability for inadequately trained truck drivers

Trucking companies who employ a fleet of truck drivers have a duty of care to make sure that every one of their drivers is adequately trained and properly supervised when they are brand new drivers. When a truck driver in their employ causes a truck accident because of their lack of adequate training, both the driver and the company may be held liable for any injuries, property loss and death as a result of the accident.

Truck drivers with insufficient training can be dangerous on the road

To obtain a CDL, a prospective driver must pass a written test and a skills test that is administered by a CDL examiner. In order to pass the test, the driver must be able to demonstrate that they can handle and control the vehicle, and they must show their knowledge of the hours of service regulations, how to keep accurate maintenance logs, how to load the cargo properly and stay within the limits of load regulations, and an understanding of the basics of diet and exercise and the importance of avoiding too much alcohol. But even if a driver passes the test with flying colors, there is no substitute for skill – which comes with years of practice.

Navigating hills, steep curves and down-hill grades and maneuvering through traffic while piloting an 80,000 pound vehicle requires a certain amount of skill that can take many years to fully acquire. Lack of skill in a truck driver can lead to accidents, injuries, and death.

The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study (LTCCS) examined all of the causes of large truck crashes within a sample group of accidents. One of the leading factors in defining causation was driver training and experience. Most motor vehicle accidents can be attributed to driver error. However, as a driver gains experience driving a big truck, learning how to maneuver it on the highway and share the roadway with other cars, their skill increases and the chances that they will cause an accident because of a rookie mistake greatly diminish over time. When truck drivers receive adequate training beyond the requirements to obtain a CDL, such as working with a truck driver finishing program, they can avoid causing accidents.

Injuries from truck accidents caused by driver inexperience

Any time a massive truck collides with a passenger vehicle that is less than a quarter of its size, there are going to be catastrophic injuries and often death. Some common injuries from truck accidents include:

Legal options for those injured in truck accidents caused by inexperienced drivers

Working with a Delaware law firm that has a proven track record of success in helping those injured in truck accidents will ensure your chances of getting the best settlement possible when you have been injured. At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we hold those responsible for the accident that caused your injuries liable and we protect your rights in the process. You may be able to get compensation for all of your medical expenses related to your accident injury and future medical care, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, mental anguish for severe injuries and damage to your property. We investigate the accident, track down the cause and the responsible parties and develop an effective legal strategy in order to prevail on your behalf.

Schedule a consultation with one of our knowledgeable truck accident attorneys today

The truck accident attorneys at Silverman McDonald & Friedman are proud to represent you with an individualized approach to providing legal services. We strive to make our clients feel as if they were our only one. You may schedule your initial free consultation with one of our auto accident attorneys to discuss your case today when you call us at 302-888-2900 or fill out our contact form. We serve clients throughout Delaware from our offices in Wilmington, Seaford, and Newark.