A nationwide trucker shortage and the increasing supply-chain disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic have substantially increased the risk of trucking accidents in Southern Ohio.
The New York Times is among the news organizations to publish exhaustive reports this year on the challenges facing the trucking industry, including an estimated shortage of more than 80,000 truck drivers.
Declining pay and increasing demand placed upon over-the-road drivers by a dwindling number of large commercial carriers continue to exacerbate the shortage of drivers while increasing the risks posed by new, poorly trained, inexperienced commercial truck drivers on the road.
Recent media reports continue to outline the growing risks:
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- A separate report by The Times outlined substandard training being offered by large carriers in exchange for employment agreements that are tying new truckers to employment contracts for substandard wages. At least 18 large trucking companies are now offering such arrangements as a way to qualify new drivers for their commercial driver’s licenses. About 90 percent of drivers do not make it through their first year because of a combination of poor training, substandard working conditions and below-market compensation.
- The Federal Bureau of Investigation uncovered a fraud scheme in Texas that issued CDLs to more than 200, mostly foreign, driver candidates who never passed their skills test.
- The burgeoning issues resulted in new regulations released in February by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, which attempt to regulate the more than 200 trucker training schools now offering classes over the Internet.
Trucking Accident Injury Claims
Veteran trucking accident attorneys know driver training is a key component when it comes to determining causation in the wake of a serious or fatal trucking collision. While many of these issues may not be investigated by law enforcement, each can be determinative when it comes to making a claim for damages.
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- Driver training and experience: Issues include the obvious, such as what type of training a driver completed and how long he has been driving, as well as issues that are not so obvious, such as experience with the type of truck, trailer and load, as well as terrain, such as mountainous or dense urban areas.
- Driving record: A driver’s CDL records, as well as his personal driving record, can detail past violations that may illustrate a poor track record.
- Compliance: Drivers must follow a host of state and federal regulations, from prohibitions against cell phone use, to limitations on the number of hours a driver can remain behind the wheel.
- Trucking company: The history of the trucking company, including previous accidents or safety violations, can be telling when it comes to determining all factors of causation.
- Maintenance: Truck or trailer maintenance records can show previous issues, as well as lapses in routine maintenance that may have caused or contributed to a collision.
- Load: The weight and distribution of a load, as well as how a load is secured, can increase the risks of a collision.
- Data recorders: An increasing number of trucks have onboard data recorders similar to the black boxes used after airline accidents. This data can show length of time in service, speed, motion, and other information that can be determinative when it comes to identifying accident causation.
Trucking collisions are complex cases.
The demands of the job amid supply chain disruptions and the nationwide driving shortage are increasing the risks for everyone on the road. Seeking the advice of an experienced trucking accident lawyer as soon as possible after a collision is the best thing you can do to protect your rights.
If you’ve been injured with a collision with a tractor trailer or other commercial vehicle, contact the Warren Law Firm today for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your rights. Call 740-774-4357.
