Highway Accidents Resulting From Lack of Truck Driver Training / Inexperienced Operators

Due to the numerous entities involved in the ownership, operation and maintenance of large commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), law firms that handle trucking-related wrongful death and personal injury claims must be well versed in all aspects of Maryland law as it pertains to the commercial trucking industry, as well as the legal statutes that govern and regulate the insurance companies who provide coverage for the transport and shipping industry.

Whenever a person considers bringing in trucking-related injury or wrongful death lawsuit, it is imperative that one seek out a law firm that has a legal team skilled in litigating commercial trucking accident cases. It is also important to retain a lawyer whose has a solid background in auto and trucking injury law. At the offices of Lebowitz & Mzhen Personal Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have the skills and training necessary to handle a range of traffic-related injury and wrongful death cases.

Make certain that the lawyer you choose has a comprehensive knowledge of both federal and state rules and regulations governing the operation of commercial vehicles on Maryland roadways. As Baltimore auto, truck and motorcycle accident specialists, Lebowitz & Mzhen understands the extensive amount of case law in these particular areas.

Injury claims related to commercial vehicle accidents are rather different from those involving passenger cars or light trucks, which is due in part to the potential number of defendants that can be named in a typical commercial truck accident lawsuit. In fact, one of the important factors in the eventual success of a trucking accident claim is the law firm's ability to carry out an in-depth investigation of the facts pertaining to the crash.

Although every licensed truck driver should have passed very detailed examinations for driving skill, industry rules and regulations, plus practical knowledge of large CMVs, there are still some truckers who are either inexperienced or who never received the necessary training to operate their vehicle safely. Each year, a percentage of trucking-related traffic accidents that occur on the highway, beltway, surface streets and interstate are attributed to improper vehicle operation possibly due to lack of driver training or experience.

When it comes to the training of commercial truckers, the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has strict rules and regulations covering CMV driver training and testing. The laws governing drivers and the trucking industry also make clear that it is the responsibility of the employer to make certain that all USDOT rules/regulations be followed by the driver/employee.

It goes without saying that a truck driver who is not properly tested, sufficiently prepared and trained, or who does not have the necessary experience required to operate a particular vehicle is a much higher risk when it comes to causing a serious accident. The chances of an inexperienced trucker becoming involved in an accident can be much greater than with a seasoned or well-trained commercial truck driver. Accidents can often take place when an emergency situation crops up in fast-moving traffic, which the driver may not be expecting and for which his training may have been insufficient.

Combine an accident situation with a large 18-wheel tanker truck, automobile transporter, gravel hauler or flatbed tractor-trailer and the odds of a serious and even life-threatening collision can be multiplied many times over. An inexperienced driver may have a good driving record up to a certain point, but the danger of putting a lesser-trained individual behind the wheel of a 25-ton CMV means that a wreck may be waiting just around the next corner.

Aside from the potential lack of knowledge about industry rules and regulations, an inexperienced or poorly trained truck driver may not fully appreciate how very dangerous certain driving activities may be or why truck maintenance is important for safety; these may include distracted driving, operating a truck without sufficient rest, not securing a heavy load before hitting the road, or simply forgetting to check tire pressures. All of these, and many more, can prove deadly not only to the trucker himself, but also to other drivers, vehicle occupants and pedestrians who share the road with that individual.

In addition to improperly secured cargo or overloading of the truck itself, an inexperienced commercial vehicle driver is more likely to make a careless driving mistake. As Maryland personal injury experts, Lebowitz & Mzhen know that state and federal laws hold commercial trucking companies responsible for the proper training of their drivers. Those individuals who are put on the road without sufficient knowledge of the vehicles they are expected to operate can end up causing a serious traffic accident that could have been avoided.

Inexperienced drivers may not have an understanding of the vehicle dynamics involved with a big rig tractor-trailer that can carry cargo weighing tens of thousands of pounds. An inability to anticipate the way a large and heavy vehicle will handle in an emergency situation can make a bad situation even worse for the innocent motorists traveling nearby the truck at the time of an emergency.

Furthermore, a driver who has not received the proper training regarding his or her vehicle may not understand the critical areas to check prior to going out on the road. Not only does this have to do with proper securing of cargo and avoiding an overloaded condition or improperly distributed load, an inexperienced truck driver may not know to check important safety points on his or her vehicle. The failure to check something as simple as tire pressure can lead to a catastrophic failure at high speeds, with devastating results.

As professional trucking injury lawyers, Lebowitz & Mzhen is ready, willing and able to assist victims of trucking-related wrecks caused in whole or in part by inexperienced or improperly trained drivers. Thousands of innocent Americans suffer serious or fatal injury as a result of inexperienced commercial drivers. Sadly, far too many truckers received their commercial driver's license (CDL) while not truly having been prepared or equipped to handle the large and massive vehicles they pilot on public roadways.

With hundreds of large commercial vehicles traveling across Maryland roadways every day, the law of averages suggests that someone somewhere will be hurt by a driver who lacks the proper training to pilot such large and potentially dangerous machines. Commercial drivers must be prepared for a variety of changing traffic situations and adverse weather conditions, as well as any other factors that may have a direct effect on vehicle and traffic safety; if a driver is not well trained the consequences can be deadly.

For anyone who has been injured in a commercial trucking accident, our legal team recommends that you consult with a qualified professional to learn more about your rights under the law. The legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen knows that while trucking-related accidents may not be as common as passenger car collisions, the aftermath of a trucking wreck can be many times worse for the victims. Because of this, the medical-related costs can be more than an individual or a family can bear.

Finding the best legal representation can make a significant difference for many victims and their families. Your physical well-being should always be a primary concern, but there is no reason why a person who has been seriously hurt as a result of negligence on the part of a truck driver should bear the financial burden alone. If you think you have a strong basis for a personal injury claim against a negligent trucker or trucking company, the legal team at Lebowitz & Mzhen is prepared to assist you. Take a moment to contact us at (800) 654-1949; or by emailing either Jack Lebowitz or Vadim Mzhen to arrange a free, no-obligation initial consultation.