Semi-trucks are heavy, powerful, and dangerous vehicles that require skilled, well-trained operators. When trucking companies cut corners on training or rush drivers onto the road without proper preparation, the consequences can be catastrophic.
Inadequate training endangers every motorist sharing the highway with the 80,000-pound vehicle, and if you were hurt in an accident with an untrained driver, you deserve justice.
A knowledgeable Milwaukee truck accident attorney can help investigate the cause of the crash, hold negligent trucking companies accountable, and pursue the compensation you need to move forward.
What Are the Training Requirements for Commercial Truck Drivers?
All commercial truck drivers in Wisconsin must possess a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL), and the licensing process requires passing both written knowledge tests and practical driving examinations.
However, the CDL is just the beginning. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations require trucking companies to provide additional on-the-job training tailored to their operations, routes, and equipment.
This training should cover vehicle inspection procedures, how to properly secure cargo, hours-of-service compliance, defensive driving techniques, and emergency response protocols.
Unfortunately, many companies provide minimal training to get drivers on the road quickly. Some drivers receive very little training before operating massive commercial vehicles independently—a dangerously inadequate timeframe for mastering this complex machinery.
How Poor Training Can Cause Preventable Semi-Truck Accidents
Inexperienced drivers often lack the skills necessary to handle challenging situations that experienced truckers navigate every day. This heightens the risk of accidents in several ways:
- Inadequately trained drivers fail to properly inspect their vehicles before departure, missing critical mechanical issues like brake problems or tire defects that cause catastrophic failures on the highway.
- Inexperienced truck drivers struggle with backing and maneuvering in tight spaces, striking other vehicles, pedestrians, or structures during loading dock operations or parking maneuvers.
- Inexperienced truck drivers may not understand or apply proper cargo securing techniques, leading to shifted loads that can cause the truck to roll over. In some cases, unsecured cargo may fall onto other vehicles.
- Inexperienced drivers panic during emergency situations like tire blowouts or sudden weather changes, making dangerous steering corrections that cause jackknife or rollover accidents.
- Poor training on hours-of-service regulations leads to fatigued driving, significantly increasing reaction times and decision-making capabilities when split-second responses are critical.
- Inexperienced drivers lack knowledge of their vehicle’s stopping distances and braking capabilities. As a result, they follow too closely behind other vehicles and cause devastating rear-end collisions.
Who Is Liable for an Accident Caused by a Poorly Trained Driver?
When inadequate training causes an accident, liability often extends beyond just the driver. Trucking companies have a legal duty to ensure their drivers are properly trained and competent. If they fail in this responsibility, they can be held liable for negligent hiring, training, or supervision.
The training facility may bear responsibility if it provided substandard instruction or falsely certified drivers who did not meet the base requirements.
Additionally, companies that contract with independent drivers may face liability if they knew or should have known about training deficiencies.
Discuss Your Legal Options with a Wisconsin Truck Accident Attorney
When inadequate training causes a truck accident, multiple parties may be held liable for your injuries, including the trucking company, training facility, and driver.
These cases require thorough investigation of training records, safety protocols, and compliance with federal regulations—resources that most accident victims do not have access to independently.
A Wisconsin truck accident attorney knows how to investigate commercial vehicle accidents, has access to a network of experts who can evaluate training adequacy, and understands the complex web of federal and state regulations governing the trucking industry.
Protect your right to fair compensation and contact us at Cannon & Dunphy S.C. to schedule a free legal consultation today.