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Do Commercial Truck Drivers Receive Enough Training?

Texas truck drivers log millions of miles each year. It’s no secret that a big sector in the Texas economy is dedicated to truck drivers. In fact, Texas sees some of the highest amounts of commercial trucks on its roads than any other state in the country. Unfortunately, we also see a lot of 18 wheeler crashes. But why is that? Obviously, to drive a big rig, you’ll need training. Truck drivers across the U.S are required to obtain a Commercial Drivers License before they can hit the road. They even need special endorsements on their license if they plan on moving things such as fuel or biohazardous material.

Training for Truck Drivers

Semi-trucks are large, complicated vehicles. Often weighing more than 80,000 pounds, these vehicles are seen moving at speeds between 70 and 80 miles per hour. It’s fair to say that driving these vehicles is not like being behind the wheel of a normal passenger car. Many precautions need to be taken to ensure the safety of everyone on the road. However, many people view the required training to become a commercial truck driver as lacking. Typically, those learning to drive these trucks only receive about 5, sometimes only 4 weeks of training. That simply is not enough time to learn and retain the necessary information to safely operate these vehicles.

After a truck crash that appears to be the fault of the truck operator, a detailed investigation is done. This investigation can include the training process for the driver. Did the company meet federal standards when training this employee? Another important detail is examing the truckers driving record. However, after any crash, these documents are often doctored. Trucking companies will often edit a driver’s training documents to establish a more favorable picture of the training that occurred. That’s just another reason why hiring an experienced commercial accident lawyer is a good idea. Attorneys know what to look for to ensure you get the most out of your settlement.

Cutting Corners

Often, trucking companies will cut corners when it comes to operating their business. There could be many reasons why these companies do what they do, but the most common reason is a lack of drivers. Some studies suggest that there is a shortage of 48,000 CDL truck drivers in the U.S. The shortage of qualified drivers leads many companies to make the irresponsible decision of putting these drivers on the road before they are properly trained.

While cutting training a little short may no seem like a big deal to most people, it actually is. There is a distinct correlation between the likelihood of trucking crashes and training. Unfortunately, 11% of all fatal crashes involve big rigs, and 23% of multiple-vehicle passenger vehicle crashes are caused by tractor-trailer collisions. The potential of a big commercial vehicle crash is high, which makes proper training necessary to protect everyone on the road.

Injured in a Trucking Crash? Contact The Law Giant

If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident in Texas, reach out to Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers right away. We are well-versed in trucking accident insurance claims and can make sure you are being treated fairly by the liable party’s insurer. With offices in Laredo, Brownsville, and McAllen, The Begum Law Group Injury Lawyers can be sure to handle your case no matter where in Texas you live. To schedule a free, initial evaluation of your case, call (210) 921-2200 today, or reach out through the online form.

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