It’s harder than ever for the trucking industry to find qualified drivers to operate their rigs. They’ll often turn to inexperienced people who have no business being behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound machine. The results shouldn’t be a surprise. Inexperienced drivers cause horrible accidents leading to debilitating injuries and tragic deaths.
If you’ve suffered a severe injury or lost a loved one in an accident caused by an inexperienced driver, the law firm of Penn Kestner & McEwen is here to help. We’ll investigate the accident, determining why it happened and who is to blame. Then we’ll pursue the negligent parties for the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free evaluation of your case by calling (800) 732-3070 or contacting us online.
When someone doesn’t have a good feel for driving a large commercial truck, they will be much more prone to causing a devastating wreck. Inexperienced drivers aren’t comfortable operating all of the different systems found in a truck and won’t know how to navigate slick or wet roads in inclement weather safely.
They’ll often have trouble during normal conditions as well. An inexperienced truck driver might not know that stopping a big rig takes a lot longer. They might not be able to avoid slamming into the back of a passenger car, which could lead to catastrophic results.
A lawsuit stemming from a truck accident is highly complex since there can be several liable parties. The following is a quick look at two parties typically responsible for a wreck, the driver and the company that owns the truck.
No matter what their experience level, truck drivers are usually responsible when an accident occurs. They might cause accidents for many different reasons, including the following:
Trucking companies often play a significant role in causing accidents involving young drivers. They’ll often hire unqualified people because they’re so desperate to fill driving positions. Trucking companies will often neglect maintenance because they’re so laser-focused on meeting deadlines and increasing profits. They could overlook problems such as worn-out tires.
Truck accidents are seldom cut and dry when it comes to blame. Accidents usually occur due to several factors, and several parties are responsible. For example, many accidents can be attributed to the driver and the trucking company. For instance, the driver may have fallen asleep at the wheel, but when they tried to slam on the brakes to avoid an accident, the braking system failed.
In this instance, the inexperienced truck driver would be to blame for driving while fatigued. The trucking company would be liable for failing to fix the brakes. However, if those brakes were defectively designed or manufactured, you could sue the company that made them.
In other cases, you’ll be able to sue both parties because they both had a hand in causing the accident. For example, the inexperienced truck driver didn’t know how to react to a change in traffic and therefore caused a pile-up. They would be at fault for causing the pile-up, but the trucking company could also be at fault for hiring a driver without the proper experience.
Your attorney will determine liability by investigating the accident. This investigation will be essential because it will uncover critical evidence. Not only will this evidence show who was at fault, but it could also show you did nothing wrong.
Being in any wreck is a terrifying experience. But a truck accident is even more horrifying. When a victim suffers a severe injury, it can be hard to take the steps necessary to protect their health and strengthen their case. But if you can keep the following in mind, you might be able to do both.
A Penn Kestner & McEwen attorney will quickly launch a detailed investigation. Our firm has the experience and the resources to determine what happened and identify all liable parties. We can also bring in expert witnesses if necessary to make your case even stronger.
Please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can work on your behalf. Contact us online or call (800) 732-3070 for a free consultation.