In some respects, truck drivers are like other motorists on the roads. They must follow the same laws and drive in a similar manner. But truck drivers are not treated identically to an average driver because in addition to the basic rules of the road, truck drivers have additional requirements and regulations governing their actions behind the wheel.
Truck drivers are required to possess specified licenses depending on the type and size of the vehicle they drive. To obtain a commercial license, these drivers must undergo extensive instruction and training in addition to being subjected to standardized testing to evaluate a driver's knowledge and skills. The law sets forth these requirements in black and white; yet too often, a driver does not get the necessary training or does not stay current with his or her skills, leading to a situation where a truck accident can occur.
Need for Truck Driver Training
An average truck traveling through Chicago is larger, longer, and heavier than the typical passenger car on the road. When fully loaded, a semi-truck can weigh several tons. This increased mass leads to increased inertia and force in the event that a collision does occur, partially explaining why the victims of truck accidents in Chicago often suffer serious or even fatal injuries.
In addition to the sheer size of a large truck, the operation of the vehicle can make it difficult to handle and make a mistake turn deadly. In addition to the standard functions of any vehicle like a steering wheel, gas pedal, and horn, a truck tends to be much more complicated. Additional functions and safety gear like air brakes mean that a driver without knowledge and training may be unable to safely move a truck from one location to the next and this lack of training may lead to injuries.
Federal laws set forth many of the requirements faced by those who wish to operate a commercial truck. Operators must be physically capable of driving a truck and must not have medical conditions that could make it dangerous to be behind the wheel. Further, operators are restricted in the number of hours they can drive a day and the number of hours they can driver consecutively. Drivers who do not learn of these restrictions and requirements may willingly or unwillingly violate them, leading to penalties and fines.
In the event a company hires a driver, the requirements to educate and supervise drivers will not end. Drivers must keep their licenses and certifications current at all times to legally drive and they may be subjected to additional training throughout the years, depending on the location of the company and/or the locations where the operator drives.
Legal Rights of Truck Accident Victims
When an accident occurs due to a truck driver's lack of training, the victims of that accident may be entitled to legal relief for the losses they experience, including medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If other damages are incurred, they may be recoverable as well, depending on the facts surrounding each collision.
The lawyers at Abels & Annes, P.C. have experience representing the victims of truck accident crashes and helping them obtain the recoveries they deserve. We are ready to help you as well if you have been hurt in a crash or if your loved one has lost his or her life. We have a licensed lawyer standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year to take your call and provide you with answers whenever you need them. Call us toll free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO (529-2442) or locally at (312) 924-7575 and we will give you a free case consultation without any obligation on your part.
If your life has been negatively impacted by a truck accident in the Chicago area, call us at Abels & Annes, P.C. today. We also offer free in-home and in-hospital consultations if you prefer to meet with us in person but you are too injured to travel to our offices. Do not allow yourself to continue suffering due to the mistakes of another driver; call us today and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.
If you have been injured in a truck accident, call us toll free at (855) LAW-CHICAGO or Contact Us online for a free case consultation.