Training Requirements For Entry-Level Drivers May Affect Your Case

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration intended to implement universal training requirements for entry-level truck drivers with the goal of making sure that new drivers are sufficiently prepared for the road. However, because there were delays in the implementation of an IT infrastructure for the training program, the requirements have been delayed by two years. If you were involved in an accident with an entry-level driver, a lack of sufficient training was likely the result.

Entry-Level Requirements

To obtain a commercial driver's license, a driver must:

  • Be 21 years of age
  • Pass a background check
  • Provide proof of residency
  • Pass a knowledge exam and skill and road test

While these requirements can filter out some unsafe drivers, handling a commercial truck is very challenging for an entry-level driver, and your attorney might argue that this contributed to your accident.

All Entry-Level Drivers Must Be Trained

Even with the delay in this program, employers are still responsible for making sure that their drivers are properly trained, and an employer will have vicarious liability if an employee causes an accident especially if it is due to insufficient training.

Your truck accident attorney will likely advise you that it is better to sue the employer's insurance provider because the insurance provider will have the ability to settle for a much greater amount.

Your Settlement Amount Matters

Due to the size and weight of commercial trucks, they tend to cause a lot more serious injuries and your medical bills will likely be higher. If you were to sue the driver, their own insurance policy may have a cap, and your options, if you reach these caps, are to sue the driver directly or sue other at-fault parties.

Why the Experience of the Driver Matters

An inexperienced and poorly trained driver is more likely to make a mistake. This is important because the other driver must be considered at-fault for the accident for you to be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Some drivers do not know how to prioritize their health and wellness. As a result, they may be driving for very long periods of time and not drive safely as a result. Many drivers also do not know how to respond to dangerous situations. Your attorney will piece together what happened and will help build a case for why the other driver was at fault.

Talk to a truck accident attorney in your area for more information.



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Your Legal Rights: A Personal Injury Blog Sadly, many people are injured due to someone else's negligence. Maybe you were in a car accident that was the other driver's fault, and now you're dealing with relentless back pain. Or perhaps your neighbor's dog bit you, and you're considering suing them. Both of these scenarios fall under the legal umbrella of personal injury law. Since proving someone else is responsible for your injuries can be challenging, the world of personal injury law is a vast one. Your own attorney is your best source of information directly related to your own case, but we created this website to give you a good basic overview of what your personal injury case may entail — and what you can expect when you meet with your attorney. Dig in and start reading our articles; you'll soon feel more informed as to what's to come.

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