While automobile and truck accidents have many aspects in common with each other, in certain respects, they differ greatly. Due to the specialized knowledge required to successfully resolve these types of matters, it’s important that you hire an attorney who knows the ins and outs of truck accident law if you’ve suffered an injury from an accident involving a truck.
Truck Driver Responsibilities
Truck accident claims involve many of the same basic questions that car accident claims involve. Who was negligent? How did the accident occur? And what insurance coverages apply to the claim?
Numerous circumstances can occur during truck accidents, though, that are unique to crashes involving commercial vehicles and large vehicles.
For example:
- Semi truck drivers are required to stop and rest at legally mandated intervals.
- Semi trucks must be regularly maintained in order to be operated safely.
- Semi truck drivers are barred from operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs, alcohol and certain prescription medication.
- Transportation companies are legally required to employ safe and cautious drivers, and to competently screen drivers.
- New trucks are often now equipped with technology similar to jumbo jets’ “black boxes”.
- Truck drivers, more so than car drivers in many jurisdictions, are barred from using cell phones while driving.
Other complex legal issues can arise when a commercial vehicle such as a delivery truck, pickup truck or even company car is involved in a crash. The question of whether the driver was “on the clock” immediately comes into play.
Truck Driver Training
Did you know that a commercial driver is not required to go to school to obtain a commercial driver’s license (CDL)?
There are a few options for receiving training: Enrolling in a private truck driving school or taking an employer apprenticeship.
To get into a truck driving school, there are a few prerequisites, such as having:
- A high school diploma (equivalent)
- A valid driver’s license
- Proof of citizenship (identity)
An individual may also be required to undergo drug testing and english language test.
We mentioned that an individual should go through some type of training like private truck driving school before taking a CDL written exam; however, an individual could also receive an employee apprenticeship.
Qualifications include:
- Having a commercial learner’s permit (CPL)
- Signing a contract to work for the company who is providing the apprenticeship
As an apprentice, the way the individual is trained may not be as structured; however, the individual is receiving this training at a limited cost (or none at all).
To learn more about CDL classifications, truck driving school, employer apprenticeships and CDL testing, click here.
Truck drivers should get extensive training and go should through several tests to be able to drive commercial trucks.
If, for some reason, you were in a wreck caused by a commercial truck driver, give us a call at 304-485-3127.