The Role of Inexperience in Truck Accidents
The trucks on our highways are bigger, heavier, and more powerful than ever -- and increasingly, they’re being driven by people who are still learning the ropes.
With a nationwide shortage of seasoned truck drivers and mounting pressure to move goods faster, more inexperienced drivers are entering the industry. While many are hardworking and well-intentioned, newly licensed drivers with limited real-world training can unintentionally increase the risk of truck accidents, according to a recent report in Programming Insider.
Why Experience Matters Behind the Wheel of a Big Rig
Driving a commercial truck is nothing like driving a passenger vehicle. Tractor-trailers require specialized training, advanced skills, and time on the road to master. When drivers enter the profession with only minimal required training, they’re often unprepared for the complex situations they may face.
Inexperienced truck drivers may struggle with:
- Understanding how long it takes a truck to stop
- Judging safe following distances
- Navigating tight spaces, narrow roads, and steep grades
- Handling bad weather, sudden traffic changes, or unexpected obstacles
Add the pressure of tight delivery deadlines, and new drivers may rush decisions -- speeding, misjudging curves or turns, skipping rest breaks, or driving while fatigued. The result? Preventable crashes with devastating consequences.
Common Types of Accidents Involving New Truck Drivers
While any driver can make a mistake, certain types of crashes are more common among those truck drivers with limited experience:
- Jackknife Accidents: A jackknife occurs when a truck’s trailer swings outward, forming a sharp angle with the cab. This often happens during sudden braking or loss of traction. New drivers may not yet know how to prevent or recover from this dangerous situation.
- Rollover Crashes: Rollovers result when a driver improperly navigates curves, makes abrupt turns, or misjudges a trailer’s center of gravity. These crashes are especially deadly and frequently occur on hilly or curved roads, such as rural highways.
- Rear-End Collisions: Heavy trucks take significantly longer to stop. Inexperienced drivers may underestimate stopping distance and follow too closely.
- Lane Departure and Sideswipe Accidents: Poor mirror use, limited spatial awareness, and inattention can lead to drifting out of lanes or sideswiping other vehicles, especially in congested urban areas.
Gaps in Training and Oversight
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets minimum requirements for entry-level drivers, including classroom instruction and behind-the-wheel training through approved providers. All CDL applicants must complete a standardized curriculum. However, not all training programs are created equal. Some schools rush students through the process to help them pass exams, without ensuring they’re truly road ready. Once licensed, many new drivers are sent out solo with little or no mentoring.
How Liability Is Evaluated After a Truck Accident
Inexperience, inadequate training, or poor oversight can all play a critical role in determining liability. When a serious truck accident occurs, an experienced accident attorney will dig deeper than the crash itself. Investigations often include:
- The driver’s training and experience history
- Licensing and certification status
- Driving records and hours-of-service logs
- Vehicle maintenance records
- The trucking company’s hiring, training, and supervision practices
If you or a loved one has been injured -- or tragically lost his or her life -- in a trucking accident in Pennsylvania, it’s important to speak with top Philadelphia attorney for trucking accident cases.
Contact us to set a time to meet, so that we can help you better understand your legal options and make an informed decision as to the next steps to take.