During the past year, there has been a significant shortage of truck drivers. With many eager shoppers getting ready for the holiday season, people are already getting frustrated by supply chain shortages. A recent report published by CNBC shows that supply chain chaos is wreaking havoc across the economy, and it might get worse, particularly with demand spiking during the holiday shopping season. A lot of companies are trying to combat this supply chain shortage by hiring more truck drivers. Unfortunately, this also means some businesses are hiring truck drivers with a severe lack of experience. Does this mean that accidents are more likely?
Inexperienced Truck Drivers Lead To More Accidents
Truck drivers need to have the right amount of training and experience before they are allowed on the open road unsupervised. According to a report published by the United States Department of Transportation, inexperienced truck drivers lead to more accidents involving tractor-trailers. A few key highlights from the study include:
- A driver with under five years of experience is more than 40 percent more likely to cause an accident when compared to a driver with more experience.
- In an accident involving truck drivers, more than two-thirds of the fatalities took place in other vehicles.
- In 2017, more than 4,100 people were killed in truck accidents.
Even though there has been a quick spike in inexperienced truck drivers on the road during the past couple of years, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety noted that the number of people who are killed in large truck accidents rose by more than 30 percent between 2009 and 2017, indicating this has been a growing problem for several years.
A Driver Shortage Is Exacerbating the Experience Issue
Because so many companies are dealing with a truck driver shortage, some companies are hiring truck drivers who might not have the appropriate training or experience. With many customers starting their holiday shopping early, the stress on businesses across the country will only get worse. Therefore, the existing truck driver shortage, combined with the spike in demand during the holiday rush, could cause companies to put more inexperienced drivers on the road. This could lead to a higher rate of motor vehicle accidents. Because tractor-trailers are so large, even a relatively minor collision could lead to serious injuries.
Truck Accidents Can Lead To Serious Injuries
Individuals involved in a truck accident could suffer serious injuries. Some of the most common examples include:
- Passengers could suffer a traumatic brain injury if they strike their head on the window, steering wheel, or dashboard.
- When the body is flung forward in a motor vehicle accident, passengers could suffer a herniated disc.
- Bone fractures suffered in a truck accident could be serious. Some of the most dangerous bone fractures include compression fractures in the back, femur fractures, and ankle fractures.
Anyone who has been involved in a truck accident has to see a trained medical professional as quickly as possible. Then, reach out to a personal injury attorney to learn more.
Work with a Trained Personal Injury Attorney After a Truck Accident
Business owners are responsible for the actions of their truck drivers. They need to make sure their truck drivers have the right training and experience before they are allowed on the road. If you have been involved in a truck accident, the other driver might not have had enough experience. You need to make sure your rights are defended by working with a trained personal injury attorney who can advocate for your best interests. Reach out to a truck accident attorney today to discuss your case.