Untrained Truck Drivers

The Indiana truck accident lawyers at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP are dedicated to excellence. Established in 1899, we have combined the personal service of a boutique law office with the resources of a big firm. Both are required to aggressively pursue claims against multiple parties reluctant to admit liability for truck accidents.

Federal and state regulations require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to operate trucks. More than a regular license, CDLs require extensive training and continued testing. The rules that govern CDL holders differ significantly from those that apply to other motor vehicle drivers in many respects, including those involving:

• DUI limits
• Certification
• Weight limits
• Vehicle labels
• Training permits
• Accident reports
• Safety inspections
• Random drug tests
• Insurance minimums
• Continuing education
• Mandatory rest breaks

Truck drivers have multiple brake systems, loading restrictions, and safety regulations that other motorists never have to think about. This is because handling an 80,000-pound vehicle carrying over 40 tons can be infinitely more dangerous than driving a sedan cross-country. CDL training is crucial to preserving lives and maintaining traffic safety.

News reports indicate that CDLs no longer serve as a barrier to bar unsafe drivers. For many reasons, gradual deregulation of the trucking industry has gone unpunished. First, the demand for commercial drivers has outpaced supply. Second, the penalty for hiring non-CDL drivers is a misdemeanor, punishable by maximum fines of $500 in some states. Finally, the incentive of paying less to non-CDL drivers while skirting regulations may be attractive to transportation companies. All of these factors have led to heightened risks for motorists.

Inexperienced drivers are not trained in defensive techniques and emergency procedures necessary for truck safety. While their paychecks depend on safely transporting goods to the next destination, our lives depend on it. Negligent operation can cause serious accidents involving:

• Speeding
• Blind spots
• Intoxication
• Loading cargo
• Failure to yield
• Leaks and spills
• Improper braking
• Hazardous materials
• Turns, steep gradients
• Locked, spinning wheels

Companies that employ untrained drivers may be found negligent for violating state and federal regulations that require commercial drivers. This breaches a legal duty to others who suffer bodily injury and death as a result. Companies that have acted in a negligent manner are therefore liable for damages.

Indiana personal injury law holds untrained drivers and their employers liable for accidents caused by their negligence. Victims and families are entitled to compensation for losses including:

• Lost income
• Funeral costs
• Future earnings
• Medical expenses
• Loss of relationship
• Permanent disability
• Continuing treatment
• Pain, suffering, anguish
• Loss of parental guidance
• Miscarriage, wrongful death

Under federal and state trucking regulations, commercial companies are liable for the negligent acts of their untrained drivers and their own careless conduct. All liable parties and their insurers should be pursued, and should compensate victims for personal injury and wrongful death damages.

If you were injured by an untrained driver, contact the Indiana personal injury attorneys at Parr Richey Frandsen Patterson Kruse LLP today. We work immediately to investigate the accident and seek recovery on your claim. Our office has successfully represented truck accident victims in personal injury and wrongful death claims for over 40 years. Let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.