The owners of the trucking company may not be behind the wheel of the truck that causes your crash, but they have a duty to exercise reasonable care when hiring the trucker who will be behind the wheel. If the owners fail in this duty, they may be liable for your damages.
Truck Driver Hiring Regulations
Driving a truck is not the same as driving a car. There is a significant difference between how a semi-truck and an automobile are driven. Accordingly, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) requires that trucking companies take certain precautions before hiring a driver. Specifically, the trucking company must make sure that the driver:
- Is at least 21 years old
- Has a commercial driver’s license (CDL)
- Meets the health and physical requirements to drive a truck
- Has enough English literacy to communicate with the public, follow road signs, and write required reports
- Reports any motor vehicle driving infractions he or she has been convicted of within the previous 12 months
- Providers a three-year employment history that includes names of employers, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving
A trucking company that fails to take these steps can be liable for any injuries that result from a crash caused by the trucker’s negligence or incompetence.
Trucking Companies Should Pay When Negligent Hiring Results in Injuries
Even if the trucker doesn’t have the money to you personally, the business and its insurer should have the resources to pay for your past and future healthcare costs, lost income, out-of-pocket costs, physical pain, emotional suffering, and other costs.
The trucking company may try to blame the trucker and deny responsibility for your accident injuries. Don’t let this happen to you. Instead, fight for your just recovery and make sure the trucking company learns a lesson about what happens when negligent truckers are hired. Call our experienced Louisville truck accident injury attorneys today to schedule a free consultation any time or to get more information.