Truck accidents are some of the most dangerous kinds of accidents. This is because a passenger vehicle doesn’t stand a chance against a huge machine like a tractor trailer. And, no matter how technologically advanced we may become, there will always be trucks on the road. There is no other way for companies to transport their goods.
Truck drivers have to drive thousands of miles every week. They drive cross country on back roads and highways. We have to share the road with them whether we like it or not. Thankfully, most truck drivers try to be careful. They take their jobs seriously and are professionally trained.
But what happens when a truck driver isn’t properly trained? What if he’s new to his job and is still learning the hang of it? You don’t want to be a by-product of a training experiment gone wrong. Unfortunately, there will always be untrained truck drivers on the road.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, you really should call an experienced Atlanta truck accident lawyer.
What Kind of Risks Does an Untrained Truck Driver Post?
If someone is driving a tractor-trailer, they should be trained. To get your commercial driver’s license, there are certain courses you have to take. You have to apply for a special driver’s permit. You can’t just wake up one day and decide to be a truck driver. You’ll need to be specially trained.
Not all commercial drivers are trained. Some work for a smaller company that doesn’t hire trained drivers. For example, let’s say someone works for a furniture company. The company’s driver called out and the store has a ton of deliveries. They may call on one of their warehouse guys to deliver some orders. What happens when this guy gets on the road?
There are all sorts of things that can happen if the truck driver isn’t properly trained:
- He can flip the truck over and cause an accident
- The driver may drive too fast and hit another car
- He may try to drive under a bridge that is too low
- He could jackknife the truck
- His load may come unhinged and injure other drivers
- He may take a turn too fast and hurt or kill others on the road
These things happen to drivers who are properly trained. You can imagine what would happen if someone who isn’t trained is driving that tractor-trailer!
Your Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer Will Pursue the Driver’s Employer
If you’re involved in a truck accident, your lawyer will do a few things. First, he’ll reach out to the company’s insurance company. If they refuse to pay your claim, he’ll try to negotiate a settlement.
If they refuse to settle, he’ll have no choice but to file a lawsuit. He can file a suit against the following parties:
- Driver
- Company
- Truck manufacturer
- School that the driver attended
- Company that loaded the truck
- Whoever owns the freight in the truck
Of course, some of these parties will have had nothing to do with your accident. However, until your lawyer knows what caused the accident, he has to assume that they’re all at fault.
If your lawyer learns that the other driver wasn’t trained properly, he’ll have a clear-cut case for negligence. A company owes it to the other drivers on the road to only employ qualified drivers. If they put someone behind the wheel of one of their trucks who isn’t trained, they’re asking for trouble.
What Kind of Damages Will Your Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer Demand?
If you’re hurt in a tractor-trailer accident, your Atlanta truck accident lawyer will demand that you be paid. He will demand that you be compensated for the following:
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
If the driver isn’t trained, the company will have a hard time claiming it’s your fault. Quite frankly, they should be eager to settle the cases just to avoid negative publicity. You can imagine how the public would react if they found out a company was allowing untrained drivers on the road.
If you’ve been hurt in a truck accident, contact an Atlanta truck Accident Lawyer. Schedule your free initial consultation. Let an experienced attorney review your case. He can tell you what it may be worth. He can also start the legal process for you.
Your lawyer will fight to make sure you receive the compensation you deserve! The consultation is free and you pay nothing until you win your case.
