Truck drivers are entrusted to operate heavy equipment. Due to the large size of commercial motor vehicles, these drivers need special training and a commercial driver’s license to ensure they can operate trucks safely.
Unfortunately, sometimes trucking companies fail to ensure the drivers they hire have the proper training and experience. When this happens, the consequences can be dire for others on the road — and negligent trucking companies can be held accountable for the resulting harm.
Truck crash victims must have an experienced South Carolina truck accident attorney representing them in these tragic situations, as you’ll need to prove how the trucking company fell short and show the extent of your damage.
Marc Brown Law Firm has helped many truck crash victims to pursue justice, and we are ready to bring our extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of trucking accident regulations to your case. To find out more about how our South Carolina accident team can fight for you, give us a call or contact us online today.
What is negligent hiring and inadequate training?
Negligent hiring occurs when a trucking company fails to take reasonable steps to ensure that the truckers they hire:
- Have the right licensing and credentials
- Have proper training for the type and size of the vehicle they are driving
- Don’t have a history of substance abuse, accidents, or other issues.
- Have unexplained gaps in employment
- Have had many past terminations without a clear reason
- Pass required drug and alcohol screenings
If a trucking company fails to conduct the right background checks or if the company overlooks red flags, this can result in a significant risk of accidents.
How does negligent hiring and poor training cause accidents?
Unfortunately, truck drivers who do not have the proper training can be a menace on the roads. They may take unnecessary risks, fail to respond appropriately to unexpected situations, not know how to load, inspect, or operate their vehicle, or otherwise not operate their vehicle in a way that keeps everybody safe.
This can lead to:
- Rear-end crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Head-on collisions
- Override and underride accidents
- Sideswipe accidents
- Jackknife accidents when the trailer swings to the side.
For example, a driver who doesn’t know when to brake could end up hitting the car in front of them, while a driver who takes curves too fast could cause a jackknife or rollover accident.
Who is responsible when accidents occur?
A trucker can be held liable for losses if their driving falls short of what a hypothetical reasonable driver would have done under the same circumstances. A trucking company can also be held liable for negligent hiring or under vicarious liability rules that make employers responsible for their workers’ careless actions.
When a trucker or trucking company is legally responsible for your accident, they must provide you with full and fair compensation, including payment of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. Marc Brown Law Firm will help you to negotiate a fair settlement or pursue justice in court to get the compensation you deserve.
Contact a South Carolina truck accident lawyer today
Negligent hiring and inadequate training of truck drivers have consequences, and if you were harmed by these wrongful behaviors, reach out today to get help from a caring and compassionate South Carolina truck accident lawyer at Marc Brown Law Firm. We don’t charge legal fees unless we win,* and your consultation is always free, so give us a call today.
*Fees computed before deducting expenses from recovery. “No Fees Unless We Win*” or similar language refers only to fees charged by the attorney. Court costs and other additional expenses of legal action usually must be paid by the client. Contingent attorneys’ fees refer only to those fees charged by attorneys for their legal services. Contingent fees are not permitted in all types of cases.