Since 2005, the number of truck drivers has been significantly decreasing in the United States. There are tens of thousands of truck driver jobs available with no one to apply for. Therefore, there is a shortage of drivers with a great demand for transportation of goods and services. This could result in catastrophic accidents for those who share the road with trucks.
If you were involved in an accident with a truck driver, it could be because the other driver was too fatigued while driving. An Ontario truck accident lawyer can help you recover your damages.
How does a shortage of truck drivers increase the possibility of an accident?
With fewer drivers on the road and the increasing demand, the trucking industry is experiencing several issues. Since there are limited employees, the existing drivers are put under pressure to work for longer hours. These drivers barely receive any rest or sleep at night.
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Negligent hiring.
Due to fewer people applying for the truck driver position in Ontario, companies are more likely to hire unqualified drivers out of desperation. This is because they want to meet the consumers’ needs and make as much profit as possible.
The trucking company may fail to run a background check on the applicant, review their driving records and verify specializations. Companies might be willing to overlook even some negative aspects to meet the demand, which is undoubtedly dangerous for other people on the road.
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Drivers have tight schedules.
With a shortage of drivers, the inconvenience in the trucking industry is quite noticeable. The existing employees are forced to work for longer hours without rest or sleep. Since they need to work on tight schedules, they also cannot take breaks while traveling.
Companies may also push drivers to work more than the number of hours designated by the federal regulations to meet delivery needs. Drivers are more likely to be exhausted and tired, increasing the risk of an accident.
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Speeding.
Since drivers are required to meet tight deadlines, they often tend to speed in order to deliver goods on time. Speeding can be risky and make it difficult to control a vehicle, especially one which is loaded with heavy goods. That is why you may have seen trucks going slower than passenger vehicles so that they get enough time to stop in case of an emergency.
If you were involved in an accident with a truck, you deserve compensation. Just because a driver was fatigued or restless does not mean they can get away with injuring a person. Contact an attorney today to begin your claims process.
