Truck Company Negligent Hiring & Supervision
Skilled Charleston Truck Accident Lawyers
Most commercial transportation companies have standards for hiring drivers. But with a shortage of qualified truckers across much of the country, some haulers are not too picky about who is driving their trucks. Unfortunately, the rest of the motoring public suffers when people who have no business operating any vehicle are given the keys to an 18-wheeler.
The law firm of Pierce, Sloan, Kennedy & Early LLC has successfully proven negligent hiring, inadequate training, or willful defiance of regulations that led to trucking accidents. Our Charleston injury lawyers take cases throughout the Tri-County Area, across South Carolina, and beyond. Call us today for a free initial consultation about your trucking accident.
Examples of Trucking Company Negligence
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations require trucking companies to conduct a thorough background check before allowing a truck driver to drive one of their commercial vehicles. A reputable outfit thoroughly screens new hires, but some trucking companies cut corners on employee background checks.
Some may knowingly hire candidates who:
- Have poor driving records (accidents or traffic violations)
- Were fired by another trucking company for log violations or safety issues
- Have a DUI conviction or other criminal history
- Failed drug testing
- Are not medically qualified to drive
- Are not certified or currently licensed to drive big rigs
Negligent Training & Supervision
A trucking company may also be liable for personal injuries if an experienced driver was not properly trained on:
- Tractor trailer operation and rules of the road
- Obeying federal truck regulations
- Traffic laws in states where they drive
- Inspecting the truck for safety and maintenance issues
Truckers commonly fudge their log books to hide the fact that they have driven more hours than allowed under federal hours of service regulations. The employer is still accountable for damages if a fatigued truck driver causes an accident. The defense will claim they didn’t know the logs were falsified—but they should have known if they routinely cross-checked driver records for accuracy. This is one area we can use to strengthen your case.
How Our Charleston Truck Accident Attorneys Help Victims
At Pierce | Sloan, we obtain all records relating to hiring, training, and operation in order to build your case against the trucking company. Attorney Allan P. Sloan III has handled more than 60 truck accident cases, and has written legal articles and taught seminars on the topic. He is also a member of the National Advisory Board of the Association of Plaintiff Interstate Trucking Lawyers of America. His experience makes a difference and can benefit your case.
Call Our Firm for Reliable Counsel Today
Contact our Charleston office today for a free case evaluation. You can get in touch with us at (843) 968-0886. We represent clients throughout the Tri-County area, including Sumter, Orangeburg, Williamsburg, Clarendon, Georgetown, Horry, Jasper, Allendale, Richland, Beaufort, Hampton, Darlington, Colleton, Florence, Berkeley, and Dorchester.
