Perhaps one of the most common causes of semi-truck accidents - that could be wholly preventable - is the failure of trucking companies to complete a thorough background check of a potential employer before allowing him or her to drive. Trucking companies are under multiple pressures.
They must meet the needs of their manufacturers to get products to their destination in shorter amounts of time than ever before - competition dictates this. In addition, there is expected to be a marked increase in the demand for trucking over the next decade.
Meanwhile state and federal government organizations are placing greater expectations on the trucking industry to try to increase overall safety - and we all know this translates to more work for the company.
Therefore, one place a trucking company may be willing to compromise is in the hiring department. After all, they might reason, what are the chances that something like that could backfire - put a trucker in the semi and get that product moved.
This, however, is probably one of the worst places to cut corners. Why? Because truck drivers have an awesome responsibility. If a driver has a history of mental problems, substance abuse or an otherwise poor driving record then this is not the person you want representing your company. In the case of an accident - the truck drivers driving record will be looked at closely.
Greg Baumgartner is an 18 wheeler accident attorney and the founder of the Baumgartner law firm, which is dedicated to helping injury victims seek civil justice. For a free no obligation consultation with an accident attorney in Houston call the Baumgartner firm.
