Many trucking companies put profit over safety by encouraging speed, inadequate truck maintenance, and failing to properly screen and train their drivers. This may lead to a rise in large truck accidents and the serious damages that can result. An experienced attorney can assist you in pursuing compensation for any damages incurred.
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If you or someone you care about has been injured in a truck accident due to the negligence of a truck driver or trucking company, reach out to Ankin Law at (312) 600-0000.
Why Trucking Companies Put Profit Over Safety
The trucking industry is vital to America’s freight transport, with over 38.9 million trucks handling more than 72% of the nation’s freight by 2021. However, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that truck accidents cause over 4,000 deaths annually, with 84% involving pedestrians, cyclists, or occupants of smaller vehicles, and winter weather and semi-truck accidents pose an even greater risk.
Trucking is highly competitive, with companies vying for faster deliveries to increase profits. This pressure often leads to tight schedules for drivers, forcing them to race against time, regardless of weather or fatigue. Such conditions increase the risk of serious accidents, as exhausted drivers may skip breaks and neglect safety checks, leading to damage when crashes occur.
5 Ways Trucking Companies Prioritize Profits Over Safety
Trucking firms often bolster their profits by pushing for excessive speeding, flouting federal regulations, bypassing crucial safety protocols, and neglecting essential measures designed to protect other road users. When these companies and the drivers they employ place financial gain ahead of safety, the lives of others are jeopardized.
Here are several ways in which trucking companies compromise safety for profit:
Encouraging Speeding Over Safety
While the training materials of some trucking companies say they’re committed to the safety of truckers and other motorists, their actions demonstrate otherwise. One of the top ways the trucking industry puts profits before people is by setting aggressive timeframes and deadlines. Trucking companies often pay drivers per mile, making an incentive for unsafe practices to increase earnings, which compromises overall road safety.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), the federal agency that governs trucking and commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), found that speeding is one of the top reasons trucks get into accidents.
Driving Past Federal Hours of Service Limits
Truck drivers often exceed legal driving limits to make early deliveries, leading to dangerous fatigue. The National Sleep Foundation indicates that driving after 20 hours without sleep is akin to having a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08%, and 24 hours without sleep equates to a BAC of 0.10%. These levels impair judgment, reaction times, and coordination, raising accident risk.
To combat this, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) enforces hours of service (HOS) regulations, restricting drivers to 14 hours of driving after 10 hours off. They also limit driving to 60 hours in a week or 70 in eight days. Despite these rules, some trucking companies pressure drivers to ignore these safety regulations to meet tight deadlines. This leads to chronic fatigue and increased accident risk. The FMCSA’s Large Truck Crash Causation Study states that fatigue is a major factor in 13% of large truck accidents.
Negligent Vehicle Maintenance
An average Class 8 truck, which includes tractor-trailers, typically travels over 62,000 miles each year, while an average passenger car or light truck covers about 11,500 miles annually. While trucks are built for higher mileage, regular maintenance is vital to keep them in good condition. Neglecting fleet upkeep can lead to violations, increased risks of tire blowouts, brake failures, steering issues, trailer hitch damage, and engine problems.
According to the FMCSA, brake issues are the leading cause of large truck crashes, accounting for 29% of incidents, followed by tire problems (6%) and load-shifting from overloading (4%).
Inadequate Driver Screening
Trucking companies must prioritize hiring qualified drivers by conducting thorough background checks and screenings. In their haste to fill positions, they sometimes overlook these critical steps. Each driver should have a valid Commercial Driver’s License, a clean driving history, and undergo necessary training and safety drills.
Federal regulations require medical evaluations every two years to ensure drivers are fit for duty. Companies should identify unsafe drivers before hiring and take corrective measures, which can range from retraining to termination. Neglecting to verify qualifications or conduct drug screenings can result in hiring unsafe drivers, contributing to accidents. Many incidents stem from unqualified drivers and inadequate screening practices.
Failing to Provide Adequate Driver Training
Trucking companies must ensure their drivers receive proper training and qualifications. Unfortunately, some employers cut corners, leading to inadequate education. Lack of training can leave drivers unprepared for challenging road conditions, resulting in serious accidents. According to the FMCSA’s Causation Study, common driver faults contributing to truck crashes include:
- Speeding or inappropriate speed (23%)
- Poor monitoring of blind spots (14%)
- Illegal maneuvers, such as unlawful passing (9%)
- Inattention (9%)
- External distractions, like using mobile phones (8%)
- Tailgating (5%)
How an Attorney Can Help After a Trucking Accident
It’s crucial to enlist the help of a truck accident attorney who knows how a truck accident is different from a car accident. They understand the intricacies of these cases, relevant laws, and how to gather evidence for establishing liability. An attorney will navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and advocate for fair compensation.
Establish Liability
To prove liability, you must establish negligence, which means showing that the trucking company failed to exercise reasonable care. This could involve inadequate vehicle maintenance, poor hiring practices, insufficient training, or safety regulation violations. Your attorney can investigate these factors and gather evidence to support your claim.
Gather Evidence
Your attorney collect essential evidence after the accident, such as:
Evidence from the Accident Scene
Photos or videos of the scene, vehicle damage, and conditions help clarify what happened.
Driver Logs and Records
These documents can reveal issues like fatigue or violations of driving hours.
Vehicle Maintenance Records
Information about maintenance can show negligence in vehicle upkeep.
Hiring and Training Records
These records may highlight gaps in the trucking company’s hiring or training processes.
Safety Regulations
Evidence of regulation violations enhances your case.
Additionally, your attorney can seek out witnesses who can provide valuable testimony regarding the incident or the trucking company’s practices.
Negotiate With Insurance Companies
When seeking a settlement from a trucking company’s insurance provider, it’s crucial to understand the negotiation process for a fair outcome. Hiring a personal injury attorney can help you navigate your case and reduce emotional stress.
Truck accident lawyers know the laws and common tactics used by insurance companies, enabling them to negotiate effectively on your behalf. They can analyze the trucking company’s higher insurance limits and build a strong case by gathering essential evidence like police reports, medical records, and witness statements.
A motor vehicle accident lawyer knows how much the average truck settlement is and will assess your damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering, ensuring you can pursue a settlement that truly reflects your losses. They will use their experience in the trucking industry and insurance laws to secure fair compensation.
After a trucking accident in Illinois, you may be eligible for compensation to cover the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of your injuries. For a truck accident lawyer to assist with your claim, contact us at Ankin Law.
