18 Wheeler Accidents Caused by Inadequate Training | Hobbs Attorneys

Every year, an estimated 500,000 commercial vehicles are involved in wrecks in America, and many of these wrecks are caused by truck driver error. Long shifts—sometimes as long as fourteen consecutive hours—mean that driver fatigue and substance abuse are serious, well-documented problems facing the trucking industry. But did you know that inadequate training is also the cause of many truck accidents each year? Read on to learn what our attorneys serving Hobbs, New Mexico want you to know about 18 wheeler accidents caused by inadequate training. Find out how to choose the best Hobbs 18 wheeler injury lawyer.

It’s no surprise that driving an 18 wheeler is tougher than driving a Ford Focus. After all, big rigs can legally weigh up to 80,000 pounds—for reference, the average passenger vehicle weighs about 5,000 pounds. The sheer size of these trucks makes them difficult to steer, turn, and maneuver on roadways—and it makes even stopping a challenge. For example, when driving at a speed of 60 miles per hour, a loaded 18 wheeler can take up to 450 feet to come to a full stop after the brakes have been applied.

There are other challenges as well. Because of the size discrepancy between commercial trucks and other passenger vehicles, it can be hard for truckers to spot drivers—especially if cars are driving in their large blind spot. The height of commercial trucks is also potentially dangerous, making these trucks more susceptible to roll-overs than shorter vehicles. On top of this, truckers have to keep track of numerous variables at all times; they must know the weight distribution on their load, they must maintain constant situational awareness—all while shifting an 18 speed transmission!

Finally, driving on the highway alone for fourteen hours a day is physically and mentally challenging. Even the best trained drivers are at risk of experiencing highway hypnosis, fatigue, and stress.

As you can see, safely driving an 18 wheeler requires technical driving skill, plenty of training, and a constant state of alertness. If any of these factors is absent, disaster may occur at any moment.

That’s why good training is so important. Commercial vehicle drivers are required to undergo hours of training before getting behind the wheel of a big rig. However, many trucking companies offer in-house training and are willing to hire inexperienced, untrained drivers. Fast track CDL certification programs may mean that drivers are not getting all of the training they need before stepping behind the wheel.

Currently, the United States is experiencing a truck driver shortage, and this shortage is expected to more than double over the next decade. This growing shortage may be motivating trucking companies to lower their standards and hire inexperienced drivers—which in turn puts everyone on the road at risk.

If you’ve been hurt in a commercial vehicle wreck caused by an inexperienced truck driver, you need to consult with a qualified Hobbs trucking accident attorney as soon as possible to discuss your options.

When choosing a lawyer, you need someone with the skills, the resources, and the experience to take on a multimillion-dollar trucking company. Furthermore, you need a lawyer who has handled trucking accident cases before, since these claims require in-depth knowledge of both state and federal laws and regulations.

Here at Carabin Shaw, we meet all these requirements and more. Our attorneys have been handling truck accident cases for more than two decades, and have a combined 200 years of legal experience. We’ve fought the trucking companies before and won, and we want to fight for you to get you the settlement you deserve. And we offer all new clients a no cost, no obligation consultation with an attorney—so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call.

So call our Hobbs, New Mexico office today at 432-620-0544 for your free consultation with a Hobbs trucking accident attorney and find out how we can help. Don’t wait—speak with a Hobbs 18 wheeler injury lawyer at Carabin Shaw and let us help you get your life back on track.