Is the national shortage of truck drivers creating additional risk of a truck accident and injury in Louisville and across Kentucky? The simple answer is “yes.” The American Trucking Association, or ATA, recently reported the “immediate need” for more than 50,000 drivers to keep the nation’s fleet of more than 4 million heavy commercial trucks and vehicles in operation. This has led to an influx of inexperienced and lesser-experienced drivers which substantially increases the risk of a truck accident and injury.
The USA Today recently reported the shortage of truck drivers across the US has caused commercial trucking companies to offer bonuses as high as $8,000 and other perks and benefits, such as higher pay per mile, designed to attract and retain experienced commercial drivers.
Incentives noted in the article include better compensation for mileage and weigh-in fees. The USA Today expressed concern that “while about 400,000 individuals obtain commercial driver’s licenses each year in the US, lifestyle and pay issues keep turnover rates high.” Better compensation for mileage creates an incentive for truck drivers to drive more miles- a dangerous precedent. More miles can equal hours of service violations and/or higher travel speeds.
The shortage of drivers not only increases the additional risk of a truck accident and injury due to inexperienced drivers, it increases the hours of service for existing drivers as well. The lure to violate federal hours-of-service regulations in light of a shortage of drivers increases the risk of fatigued driving causing a truck accident resulting in catastrophic injuries or wrongful death.
The experienced Louisville truck accident and injury attorneys at HLH each have decades of personal injury and trial experience in these complex legal cases. HLH has the legal skill, experience and resources necessary to hold trucking companies, fleet safety and maintenance organizations and drivers themselves financially accountable to ensure our clients receive the full and fair compensation they deserve for their injuries or the loss of a beloved family member.
If you or someone you love has been injured or lost in a truck accident we invite you to contact HLH or call (866) 583-9701 to speak with one of our experienced attorneys personally for a free consultation. Ask about the verdicts and settlements our attorneys have accomplished in past truck accident and injury cases and how we can help to achieve the best possible outcome in your case.