Due to the increasing dependence of people on online shopping and the fact that our world has become a global village and the economy is, to a large extent, open, there has been a significant rise in the demand for drivers with a Commercial Driver’s License or CDL, as it is more commonly known, as well.

So much so that, companies are going all out with their recruitment drives and programs, in an attempt to hire new workers. This, however, has also led to a corresponding increase in the number and frequency of road accidents in Louisiana involving new drivers with little to no prior experience.

The Alarmingly High Turnover Rates of Trucking Companies

Employee turnover rates are a problem that almost every industry is plagued by. Trucking Companies, however, take the cake in this matter as they are notorious for being unable to hold on to experienced and qualified drivers. Now, turnover rates differ from company to company, depending on the carrier, but it is quite common for trucking companies to have their annual turnover rates of up to 90 to 100%, which is highly alarming and a great cause for concern because it means that the majority of the company’s drivers have stayed with the trucking company for even less than a full year.

Now, turnovers are usually a result of qualified and experienced drivers leaving their current jobs in the search for jobs that offer better working hours, enhanced benefits, and higher wages, which, of course, is only natural. The only problem is that these turnovers lead to experienced and qualified drivers being replaced with inexperienced drivers with far lesser skills and abilities, which in turn seriously increases the risk of road accidents.

It is important to note that not only do commercial drivers have to deal with more serious versions of the problems that regular drivers have to face on a daily basis while on their routine commutes, such as bad weather conditions, heavy traffic, and apprehensions about the rash and negligent drivers on the road who might cause mishaps or accidents, they are also forced to spend weeks or months even, away from their friends and family due to their long working hours and even longer distances that they have to travel, leading to a lot of forced social isolation which can have a serious impact on their mental health.

Most new and inexperienced drivers are lured to the trucking industry by the promise of seemingly significant sign-on bonuses as well as the alluring notion of being paid to travel the length and breadth of the country. More often than not, these new recruits are people who have left their previous careers or those who have been forced to leave them and are now on the lookout for steady work that pays well in the times of the turbulent and volatile economy. It has also been observed that there is a rising number of retirees getting commercial driving licenses or CDLs in order to supplement their meagre income and inadequate retirement savings.

How Inexperience Can Lead to Drivers Causing Accidents in Louisiana:

Many times, inexperienced drivers cause accidents due to the following reasons:

• Neglecting to get their truck serviced regularly and ignoring their trucks’ maintenance requirements

• Failing to understand the risks and possible consequences of speeding

• Not getting adequate rest and sleep

• Not paying heed to guidelines and advisories against distracted driving

• Carrying loads that exceed the weight limit set by federal laws

• Neglecting to check blind spots while driving

• Accessing traffic and road hazards in a manner that is not proper

• Not assessing hazards caused by weather accurately or properly

• Being ignorant of important safety regulations and laws

It may come to your notice and you may have realized that a lot of the mistakes listed above are commonly made by teen drivers who have just received their driving license. However, what you must also realize is that with commercial vehicles, due to their enormous size, the magnitude of any potential damage in case of an accident is that much greater, especially if you take into account the fact that semi-trailers are usually 53 feet in length, can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds over 18 wheels, and their diesel engines need to put out 1200 to 2050 lb per foot just to be able to keep the vehicle in motion.

Inexperienced truck drivers are usually very accident-prone and are frequently involved in mishaps like rollovers, blind-spot collisions, side-impact collisions, jack-knifing accidents, and rear-end collisions.

The Impact of Licensing Fraud

A truck accident makes it imperative for you to carry out a background check on the driver and take a look at his history in order to ascertain if he actually possesses the necessary qualifications to be driving a commercial vehicle, especially in light of all the dubious and shady companies that have mushroomed that help workers forge the documents that are required to get hired as drivers, due to the ever-increasing demand for CDL drivers. These fraudsters often include people who have lost valid licenses for violating safety laws and regulations or have falsified their exam results.

How can a Personal Injury Lawyer in Louisiana Protect Your Right to Compensation?

Have you been injured in an accident caused by a commercial driver in Louisiana? If so, you might be entitled to claim compensation for damages caused, such as loss of wages as well as possible loss of future earning potential due to disability, medical expenses incurred as well as anticipated medical costs in case of permanent disability, and pain and suffering endured.

The legal process can be complicated and confusing which is why it wise to have a personal injury lawyer representing you and guiding you every step of the way.

At Edward B. Jones and Associates, we give every client and their case the importance they deserve and work hard to take care of your cases in the best possible manner and give you the results you desire. What are you waiting for?

Get in touch with us right away to solve your legal problems in Louisiana!