In moving goods and services across the country, trucking companies play an important role. However, they also have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their vehicles, drivers, and other road users.
Unfortunately, many trucking companies fail to meet this responsibility and contribute to the occurrence of road accidents. It is necessary to speak to a truck accident lawyer if you’ve been injured in the collision.
In this blog post, we are going to share a few common ways that trucking companies can cause or contribute to road accidents and what can be done to prevent them.
How Do Trucking Companies Put Other Drivers at Risk by Neglecting Safety Standards?
Here we have explained the ways a trucking company risks all the road users:
Inadequate Training Procedures
It is not easy to drive a commercial truck. It requires the proper driving knowledge and skills. Trucking companies should provide proper driving training to their truck drivers to avoid accidents. Inexperienced drivers often end up causing accidents as they are more prone to making mistakes.
Trucking companies should provide sufficient training to their drivers. They should avoid hiring drivers who do not have the essential qualifications or experience.
Failure to Inspect and Maintain Commercial Truck Vehicles
Generally, commercial trucks are subject to wear and tear. They require regular inspections, servicing, and repairs to ensure optimal performance and safety.
However, some trucking companies delay or neglect these maintenance tasks or use defective parts as replacements. This can result in malfunctions or mechanical failures that can compromise the functionality and safety of the trucks. The common issues that arise due to poor truck maintenance include:
- Engine issues
- Steering problems
- Tire blowouts
- Brake failures
These issues can cause the trucks to lose control, collide with other vehicles, or create potential hazards on the road.
Violating Hours-of-Service Laws
Violating the hours-of-service laws is a major cause of truck accidents.
The hours-of-service laws are federal regulations that limit the number of hours that truck drivers can drive. The law requires drivers to take adequate rest and ample breaks between shifts.
The purpose of these laws is to prevent driver fatigue, which is an important factor in truck accidents. Fatigue can impair the mental and physical abilities of drivers, often affecting their alertness, reaction time, and decision-making.
Trucking companies pressure or offer incentives, forcing drivers to violate the hours-of-service laws. This can result in exhausted, overworked, or sleep-deprived drivers. This increases the odds of the driver falling asleep at the wheel or making poor choices or errors that can contribute to truck accidents.
Lack of Supervision
Some trucking companies do not have effective supervision systems or do not enforce or discipline their drivers for any misconduct or violations. This can result in drivers who are dishonest, irresponsible, or careless, encouraging them to engage in illegal or risky practices that can contribute to accidents. Such practices include:
- Carrying poorly secured loads
- Texting while driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Speeding
Trucking companies should monitor and oversee the activities and behaviors of their drivers. They must also check the condition of the trucks in their fleet to ensure that they comply with safety standards and regulations.
Wrapping Up
We believe our article has helped you understand how trucking companies can contribute to road accidents.
Trucking companies should implement and follow the best practices and policies that can reduce or prevent road accidents. Doing so ensures the safety and well-being of their drivers, customers, and the public.
If you or a loved one suffered any injuries due to a negligent truck driver or trucking company, then you should consult an experienced truck accident lawyer to get fair compensation for your losses.
