Unqualified Truck Driver Commercial Truck Accident Injuries Cases

Any driver who wants to become a commercial driver must meet all prerequisite requirements to get a commercial driver’s license. If a driver is not qualified to get the license, the state or federal authorities will not approve the driver.

Each state has its own requirements for CDLs, and the drivers must review these qualifications before applying for the license. A victim of an 18-wheeler accident could present a more effective case if the driver was unqualified and caused an accident.

Did the Driver Have a CDL?

A commercial driver’s license is required for all drivers who operate 18-wheelers, and the driver must secure the license from their local Department of Transportation. The individuals must complete a road and written examination before receiving the license, and the DOT requires all parties to participate in an eye examination to ensure that the person doesn’t need corrective lenses.

If for any reason, the driver didn’t receive a CDL or hasn’t renewed the license, the person is not qualified to operate a commercial truck. Victims of accidents involving disqualified drivers can discuss their commercial truck accident injuries with an attorney now. 

Checking the Driver’s Driving Record

When hiring a commercial driver, trucking companies must get a current copy of the person’s driving record.

Some state laws prohibit companies to hire dangerous drivers who have a history of accidents, DUIs, or other traffic violations that could lead to an accident. By hiring these disqualified drivers, the business owner faces certain liabilities if the driver causes an accident, and the owner disregarded the unsafe driving record when presenting the driver with a job.

Does the Driver Have a Criminal Record?

Any commercial driver regardless of their previous employment record is disqualified from getting and maintaining a CDL if the driver was convicted of a DUI. Major offenses in addition to a DUI that disqualifies the driver for the license include any felony convictions, especially offenses that involve the commercial vehicle.

If the driver causes an accident that leads to the victim’s death, the person cannot get a CDL. If a driver uses the commercial vehicle in the commission of a drug crime such as the production of controlled substances, the person cannot get a CDL in any state.

All trucking companies are required to do their due diligence to find safe commercial drivers to operate their vehicles, and if the trucking company hires a driver and allows the person to operate the company vehicles, the owner is making a conscious decision to place others at risk on roadways.

How Old Was the Driver?

When reviewing potential drivers, the trucking company must consider the driver’s age and how to utilize the new resource. According to most state and federal laws, the drivers can qualify for a CDL at the age of 18, if the driver operates a vehicle locally and doesn’t drive across the country. The laws permit drivers who are 21 or older to operate the 18-wheelers across the country only. If a trucking company hires a driver who is underage and allows the driver to travel outside of the local area, the trucking company is liable for any accidents that happen.

Commercial truck accidents are caused by a wide array of circumstances, but when a trucking company hires an unqualified driver, the owner faces liabilities and financial losses when the driver caused an accident. An attorney can help victims prove their cases by researching the driver’s qualifications.