Truck Accidents Due to Inadequate Driver Training or Education

Truck Accidents Caused By Inadequate Driver Training

Were you injured in a truck accident caused by a driver who lacked training? According to the American Trucking Association, the country is experiencing the most significant shortage of truck drivers in the history of the trucking industry. In response, many trucking companies are putting inexperienced drivers on the road without giving them adequate training or instruction.

At Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC, our truck accident lawyers know how to hold truck drivers and their employers financially accountable for negligent driving. In some cases, we find the truck driver lacked proper training and that contributed to the truck crash. When that happens, we hold the driver and their employer fully accountable. Our clients frequently praise our professionalism, dedication, dependability, and record of success. Find out how we can help you by contacting Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today for a free case consultation with one of our truck accident attorneys.

What To Do After an Indianapolis Truck Accident Caused by Inadequate Driver Training

If you suspect that the truck driver who hit you was inadequately trained, there are several actions you should take to protect your rights:

  • Call 911 – Even if the accident seems minor, call 911 immediately. The responding police officer will complete a report on how, when, and where the accident occurred. The report could be essential evidence to support your claim against the at-fault party.
  • Gather evidence – Gather evidence at the accident scene if you can do so without putting yourself at risk. Relevant evidence at the scene might include photos or videos of the scene, the contact and insurance information of the drivers involved, and the contact information of eyewitnesses.
  • Avoid talking to the driver’s insurance company – Insurance companies for the truck driver or their employer will frequently show up at the accident scene. They may attempt to pressure you into making a statement, signing paperwork, or accepting an immediate settlement offer. Instruct them to speak to your lawyer instead.
  • Get medical attention – If an ambulance does not respond to the accident scene, get medical attention as soon as possible afterward. Truck accidents can inflict severe injuries, some of which may take time to exhibit symptoms. By seeing a medical professional, you can get a thorough evaluation, diagnosis, and appropriate treatment. Additionally, your medical records will serve as evidence of your accident-related losses.
  • Consult a truck accident lawyer – The sooner you consult a truck accident lawyer, the sooner you can focus your attention and energy on your recovery.

Why Choose Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC for Your Truck Accident Caused by Inadequate Driver Training?

Since our founding in 1999, Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC has represented accident victims throughout Indiana. Our clients praise our winning attributes, including the following:

  • Knowledge – Truck accidents involve a broad range of federal and state regulations. Our attorneys understand these laws and regulations and know how to apply them to your case. 
  • Experience – Our lawyers have years of experience handling truck accident claims. We are highly skilled at negotiating fair settlements for clients, but we also know how to fight for your rights at trial. 
  • Resources – Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC has extensive resources to investigate and litigate your case. We often hire accident reconstruction experts, medical experts, and trial consultants to help us develop a compelling case to maximize its value. 
  • Client services – Our attorneys treat our clients as we would hope a lawyer would treat a member of our own family. We are honest, dependable, and determined to right the wrongs done to our clients. We return phone calls, update clients frequently on the progress of their cases, and endeavor to make the legal process as stress-free as possible. 

Consequences of Inadequate Training

You might assume that truck drivers must complete a thorough training program before getting behind the wheel of a 40,000-pound truck on America’s roadways. Unfortunately, that is often not the case.

To obtain a Commercial Driver’s License in Indiana, aspiring truck drivers must complete the following requirements:

  • Possess a Commercial Learner’s Permit
  • Entry-Level Driver Training at a federally approved provider
  • Have a current, completed Medical Report and Medical Examiner’s Certificate
  • Pass a knowledge exam on the type of vehicle they plan to operate
  • Pass a skills test, which includes a road test

Federal truck driving regulations also exist for those operating trucks for interstate commerce. They require that the truck driver have a Commercial Driver’s License and meet the following requirements:

  • Be at least 21 years old
  • Be able to read and speak the English language sufficiently for the job
  • Be able to operate the type of commercial motor vehicle assigned
  • Be physically qualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle
  • Have a valid commercial motor vehicle operator’s license issued only by a state or jurisdiction
  • Not be disqualified to drive a commercial motor vehicle
  • Have successfully completed a driver’s road test and have been issued a certificate

Many truck drivers hit the road without sufficient on-road training. Based on a survey conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), 38 percent of truck drivers reported receiving inadequate training at the beginning of their careers.

Drivers with inadequate training are unprepared for the many scenarios they may encounter on the road. Furthermore, they are often trying to meet unreasonable delivery deadlines, which increases the risk of a driver error leading to a serious accident. According to the NIOSH survey, 73 percent of drivers surveyed perceived their delivery deadlines as unrealistically tight. The combination of inadequate training and strict deadlines contribute to the following unsafe actions:

  • Driving too fast for the road or weather conditions
  • Violating hours-of-service limits and driving while dangerously fatigued
  • Failing to check blind spots
  • Following too closely
  • Failing to complete required daily inspections

How Our Attorneys Can Pursue Your Indianapolis Truck Accident Claim Due to Inadequate Driver Training

It can be challenging to prove that a truck accident was the result of the driver’s inadequate training. The attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC can prepare a compelling case against the at-fault party and pursue maximum compensation for your accident-related losses. While you are recovering from your injuries, our lawyers can handle the following:

  • Gathering evidence of negligence, such as photos and videos of the accident scene
  • Obtaining the police officer’s crash report
  • Requesting the driving record of the inexperienced truck driver
  • Calculating your accident-related losses, such as your medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering
  • Handling all communications with the insurance companies
  • Negotiating aggressively for maximum compensation
  • Filing a civil lawsuit against the inexperienced truck driver or their employer

Schedule a Free Case Review with Our Experienced Indianapolis Truck Accident Attorneys

If you have suffered an injury in an accident involving a careless or inexperienced truck driver, the attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC want to help. We have taken on the trucking industry time after time. We know all their tactics after accidents to protect their profits at the expense of everyone else. Our experienced Indianapolis attorneys can hold truck drivers and their employers accountable for inadequate training or education. Contact Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC today for a free case review by calling at (317) 545-1760 or filling out our contact form.