How Truck Driver Shortages Can Cause Truck Accidents

The U.S. faces an unprecedented shortage of truck drivers. The shortages affect many industries and lives, including those who don't work in the trucking industry. For example, driver shortages can increase the risk of accidents, depending on trucking companies' reactions. Below are some reasons for the heightened risks.



Rushed Deliveries

Truck driver shortage can force trucking companies to rush deliveries so that a few drivers can handle multiple cargos. Say a trucking company requires ten trucks to deliver its monthly orders. However, the company has only managed to hire and retain eight drivers. The trucking company might enforce dangerous deadlines for its drivers to handle all the deliveries.

The rushed deliveries mean that the drivers might take dangerous roads or shortcuts they wouldn't normally take or exceed the sleep limit. Such dangerous moves increase the risk of truck accidents.

Long Working Hours

The federal government limits hours of work and rest for truck drivers. For example, a truck driver hauling cargo should rest for a minimum of 30 minutes after eight hours of consecutive driving. However, trucking companies with deadlines to meet might allow or even induce their drivers to exceed the federal working hours, which is dangerous.

The regulations protect both truck drivers and other road users and ensure that truck drivers don't drive while exhausted. Exhausted driving is dangerous since it impairs judgment, reduces reaction time, and induces drowsiness.

Overloading

Both vehicle manufacturers and the government have weight limits for trucks. The truck size, which the number of axles infers, determines the weight limit. The weight limits are necessary to keep road users safe and limit road damage.

Again, driver shortage can tempt trucking companies to exceed the limit. Say a trucking company has 10 trucks, each with a cargo limit of 50,000 pounds. The company has 500,000 pounds of cargo to haul, but only eight drivers. The driver shortage might tempt the company to overload the eight trucks and let them handle the ten-truck cargo.

Unfortunately, truck overloading is dangerous and increases the accident risk in multiple ways. For example:

• An overloaded truck's brakes might fail
• The extra weight might increase the truck's stopping distance and time
• The truck's tires might blow out and cause the driver to lose control of the vehicle
• Some of the cargo might fall off the truck
• Uneven distribution of cargo weight might overturn the truck or cause it to jackknife

The risks increase with the level of overloading. Dangerous roads, such as sharp turns, slippery surfaces, and steep gradients, also increase the risk.

Negligent Hiring

Driving a commercial truck or any large vehicle requires more skill than driving a small car. A large commercial truck:

• Is heavy and requires more braking distance and time than small cars
• Require wider turning radius than small vehicles
• Has larger blind spots, where the truck driver can't see other road users, than small cars

These dangers mean that trucking companies do not just hire anyone with a driving license. A commercial truck driver should have a commercial driving license, which means they have the legal authority to drive such large vehicles. The driver should also have clean driving histories and pass relevant drug tests.

Companies facing driver shortages might be lenient with their requirements. For example, a negligent company might hire a driver with a drug problem. Such a driver might operate a truck while intoxicated and cause an accident. 

You should not assume that the truck driver is automatically liable for your damages after a truck accident. You must prove your case to win the damages you deserve. Contact Frank Penney Injury Lawyers to help you investigate the accident and prove your claim.