In Watertown and the surrounding areas of eastern South Dakota, you can find long, lonely stretches of highway, heavy freight traffic, and unpredictable weather. These issues can create challenging driving conditions for even experienced truck drivers. While even the best-trained drivers can make mistakes, a lack of training may increase the likelihood of a trucker causing a crash.
After a serious South Dakota truck accident, an attorney’s first question often is: Was the driver properly trained and certified? Uncovering this is important because gaps in training or certification frequently play a crucial role in determining liability for truck accidents. Proving these gaps can help victims pursue compensation for medical care, lost income, and other accident-related expenses.
State and Federal Training and Certification Requirements
Trucking companies must ensure drivers are adequately trained, certified, and capable of safely handling large commercial vehicles. Driving an 80,000-pound truck requires skills beyond those needed to operate a regular car.
Commercial drivers must adhere to strict state and federal regulations. The South Dakota Department of Public Safety issues commercial driver’s licenses. To earn a CDL, drivers must complete an application, pass knowledge tests, and pass required skills assessments. They must also meet medical and physical qualification standards required by federal regulations. Entry-level drivers must complete training mandated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
These requirements help drivers understand road rules, safety standards, and the responsibilities of operating commercial vehicles. State and federal rules also help spell out the financial obligations of operating commercial vehicles.
Why Truck Driver Training Matters in Accident Cases
Training and certification often help determine liability and prove negligence in South Dakota truck accident cases. Some of the ways truck driver training plays into South Dakota accident cases include:
Driver Safety and Competency
Drivers who lack proper commercial training or certifications may not understand how to maneuver and handle large, heavy vehicles, posing a safety risk. Untrained drivers may also lack the skills to respond to weather and traffic changes, creating unnecessary safety risks.
Failing to Respond to Emergencies
Without proper training, drivers may mishandle emergencies like cargo shifts, spills, or blowouts, causing dangerous accidents. Overcorrection, jackknife, and rear-end accidents can be common in these situations.
Violations of State and Federal Laws
Commercial drivers must meet strict training and certification rules to demonstrate their ability to operate large trucks safely. Failure to meet these standards can help prove that a driver’s actions caused a serious accident, establishing liability.
Lack of Safety Procedure Knowledge
Drivers without training may not understand cargo securement, vehicle maintenance, or service hour regulations, increasing accident risks. Untrained drivers also lack the skills to handle the demands and hazards of operating fully loaded commercial vehicles.
Untrained or poorly trained drivers lack the skills to respond to the rigors behind a commercial vehicle’s wheel. Inadequate training often proves that drivers or companies acted negligently, contributing to devastating South Dakota truck accidents. Since South Dakota is an at-fault state, proving poor training helps victims hold the responsible party accountable. It can also help victims pursue maximum compensation for their injuries.
When Is the Trucking Company Liable for Poor Training?
A careless truck driver may not be the only party that can be held liable for a Watertown truck accident. It is easy to blame an irresponsible driver. However, the driver may not be the only one at fault. A trucking company may be responsible for the actions of poorly trained drivers in cases involving:
Negligent Hiring Practices
Before hiring, companies must ensure drivers have proper training, credentials, and clean records. Negligent hiring includes skipping background checks, hiring drivers with poor safety records, or insufficient training.
Lack of Training
Trucking companies are responsible for training and safety protocols. Companies that fail to provide adequate training, safety procedures, or driving skills can be held accountable for accidents.
Failing to Enforce Safety Standards
Companies may also face liability for ignoring safety policies or cutting maintenance costs to save money. Other issues may involve pressuring drivers to break hours of service protocols to meet tight deadlines.
Evidence such as training logs, employment records, black box data, and vehicle maintenance records can help prove negligence. Showing how a trucking company is liable due to poor training can help an accident victim maximize compensation.
Victims’ Rights and Compensation Options
Truck accident victims have the right to seek compensation if poor training or company negligence causes injuries. The hard part is holding drivers and trucking companies accountable. Unfortunately, trucking companies and insurers often use aggressive tactics to avoid responsibility or limit payouts.
Victims can typically pursue the compensation they deserve through an accident claim or a personal injury lawsuit. The value of every South Dakota truck accident case varies, but most victims can seek money for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning potential
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
Let an attorney review your situation before you accept anything from an insurer or other party. They can evaluate your compensation options so you can pursue the course that offers you the best chance at a favorable outcome. An attorney can protect your rights and prevent an insurer from capitalizing on your vulnerable position.
Contact a Watertown Truck Accident Attorney
The truck accident lawyers at Turbak Law Office, P.C. have the local knowledge and resources to help truck accident victims pursue the compensation they deserve and get back on their feet. We understand truck accident victims’ physical, emotional, and financial needs. With this in mind, we help our Watertown clients pursue the compensation and justice they deserve.
Contact our office online or call 605-886-8361 to arrange a free consultation to discuss the specifics of your case and how our truck accident team can support you. Our team works on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t owe anything up front. You can focus on your mental and physical recovery. Let us focus on financial recovery.