When trucking companies hire new drivers for their fleets, the employers are responsible for properly training the truckers in safety and legal matters. Unfortunately, trucking companies sometimes fail to do this, and their truckers are unprepared when they take to the road.
When unprepared truckers take to the road, other motorists may be in danger. Since 18-wheelers are much larger than passenger automobiles, normal drivers stand to suffer great injuries in the event of a collision with one of these vehicles.
If you or someone you love suffered an injury in a trucking accident, you should fight to hold the trucker’s employer accountable. Discuss your legal rights and options with the Houston truck accident lawyer of Zehl & Associates today.
Poor training of drivers
There are several areas in which an employer may fail to train his or her employees. In trucking, these things may include: Proper operation of the vehicle; Operation laws and regulations; Safety measures; Safe driving techniques.
Failure to train an employee with any of these essential pieces of knowledge may impair an individual’s ability to properly and safely operate a commercial truck.
Additionally, truckers are required to have commercial driver’s licenses in order to operate their vehicles; if they do not have them, their employers are responsible for ensuring that they do get them before they begin driving.
Trucks Require Constant Maintenance to Avoid Accidents
Trucks require proper maintenance. Mechanical failure of a truck, particularly the brakes, can create a great danger to other drivers. Brakes, truck lights, and other safety equipment must be properly maintained and regularly checked. Truckers should always perform a pre-trip inspection of their truck, regardless of the length of the trip.
Maintenance Checklist
Truckers and their mechanics should do a chassis inspection daily (if possible). Any identified problems should be scheduled for repairs as soon as possible. Also, the following must be checked for each trip:
- Check the engine, transmission, rear differential, power steering, and wheel seals for lubricant or coolant leaks.
- Check your air pressure and make sure your truck is building up air to the proper level.
- Check the condition of all belts, hoses, and lines (engine belts, fuel lines, radiator hoses, water, and airlines, automatic transmission lines, and power steering lines).
- Check tire tread and wear of all tires.
- Check the brake shoes and drums for cracks and wear.
- Drain your air tanks daily and check for excessive moisture.
- Make sure all lights work.
- Make sure horns and wipers work.
- Check windshield and mirrors for visibility and/or cracks.
- Keep flares and a fire extinguisher in the truck at all times.
It is very important that truck drivers watch all gauges while driving for signs of trouble. There are inexpensive items that you can put on your truck to extend the life of the components. For instance, you can add oil coolers to the hydraulic system, power steering system, and the automatic transmission. These simple additions can double, if not triple, the life of those components.
Also, preventative care is something that is typically much lower than repairs. Investing some money in the upkeep of your truck may just prevent you from investing thousands after a part breaks.
Individuals wishing to seek financial compensation from a negligent trucking company that caused an accident should contact a truck accident lawyer to learn more about filing a truck accident lawsuit against the trucking company.
