People who are injured in trucking accidents must pursue every available avenue of compensation. This means they must also identify every liable party. While truck drivers and drivers of other vehicles are often to blame, sometimes the negligence runs deeper. Is it possible that negligence by the trucking company itself contributed to the accident?
Cutting corners costs lives
In an effort to save money, trucking companies may cut corners in truck maintenance, training and other important safety measures. Any lapse in safety can result in a tragedy on the road. Trucks must routinely be inspected for mechanical problems such as:
- Faulty brake systems
- Faulty steering
- Inadequate or malfunctioning lights
- Proper underride protection
Drivers must receive proper training, including additional education and testing if they carry hazardous or oversized loads. Placing an inexperienced driver behind the wheel may save a few dollars, but those savings come at the expense of the safety of that driver and everyone else on the road.
Letting the wrong drivers in
Dangerous drivers should not be allowed to operate huge commercial vehicles. When trucking companies fail to adequately screen new hires, careless and incompetent drivers enter our roadways. Background checks should screen for poor driving records, criminal records, drug and alcohol abuse and other red flags. In a labor market that is short of workers, trucking companies may fail to screen new employees or decide to look the other way when a driver does not meet strict professional standards.
Pushing drivers past their limits
Driver fatigue and drug abuse are dangerous factors in big rig trucking. Sometimes the underlying cause of these dangerous driving habits is pressure from above. When employers demand that drivers deliver more loads in less time, those drivers often see no alternative than to ignore hours of service regulations and push their bodies beyond their natural limits. This means driving while fatigued or even taking amphetamines to stay awake at the wheel, both of which can result in serious and fatal injuries.
Let’s make our roads safer for everyone
Shining a spotlight on negligent practices can help make Florida roads safer for everyone. If you were injured in a truck accident, exposing negligence on the part of the trucking company can also make a big difference in your case.
