Sevierville Attorneys Handling Cases Involving Truck Accidents Caused by Poor Training

Fighting for the rights of crash victims in Gatlinburg, Seymour, and Pigeon Forge

Truck drivers need to be properly trained before they are allowed to drive any type of large commercial truck. Most truck drivers need to have a commercial driver’s license (CDL). Drivers need to understand how to properly operate the truck’s parts, how to handle the truck in traffic, what regulations they must follow, what precautions they are required to take, and how to avoid the dangers of drunk driving, fatigue, and distracted driving.

At Delius & McKenzie, PLLC, our skilled Sevierville truck accident lawyers understand that drivers are not the only parties responsible for truck accidents. The owners of the trucks and the companies that hire the drivers have a duty to train drivers. Businesses that fail to properly educate their drivers can be held liable in court. Our attorneys have been helping truck accident victims for more than 20 years. We demand compensation against responsible drivers and companies for lost income, all medical bills including doctor visits and hospital stays, and pain and suffering.

What truck drivers should be taught in training

Our lawyers work to show that trucking companies failed to train their drivers by reviewing the company’s safety regulations, driving logs, education records, and many other documents. We also question the driver and others about exactly what training was given or not given. Some of the many training issues we review are:

• Commercial Driver’s Licenses. Drivers of commercial trucks are required to have a CDL. Commercial trucks are generally vehicles that weight more than 26,001 pounds. Trucks that carry hazardous materials or transport more than 16 people also require a proper CDL to operate. In order to obtain a CDL, a driver must pass an examination that tests their knowledge and skills.
• Federal regulation compliance. Truck drivers need to be educated on how many hours they can drive, how much rest they need, and on how to manage the amount of time they sleep, as well as other federal rules.
• Truck operation. Each truck is different, and driving any of them is different than driving a car. Truck companies need to make sure their drivers understand how to keep control with heavy cargo, how the sightlines are different, how to steer around curves and at intersections, how to avoid rollovers and jackknives, and more.
• Truck inspection. Drivers have a duty to keep inspection logs and regularly inspect their trucks before teach trip and before each stage of the trip.
• Driver distraction. Truck drivers should be trained on the dangers of distraction, especially the specific federal and state laws that prohibit texting while driving.
• Driving under the influence. Companies need to make sure their truck drivers understand why driving while drunk is so dangerous. Trucking companies should be in regular communication with the drivers so they can monitor their driver’s sobriety.
• Ability to drive in bad weather. Truck drivers need to be trained on how to handle rain, snow, wet roads, the sun, and all weather conditions.
• Understanding how to handle road debris and road hazards. Potholes, construction zones, road debris, changes in road surfaces, and a host of other problems can create dangers for drivers. Truck operators need to be trained on how to anticipate and respond to these dangers.

If you have been involved in an accident in Tennessee, our Sevierville truck accident lawyers will help you determine if improper training was a factor.

Schedule an appointment with a Sevierville truck accident lawyer today

The Sevierville truck accident lawyers at Delius & McKenzie, PLLC help injured victims get justice. We bring claims against all responsible parties, including companies that failed to properly train their drivers. If you or a loved one was injured, please call us for a free consultation at 865-428-8780 or fill out our contact form. We represent clients in Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Seymour, and throughout Tennessee.