Vehicle accidents involving large commercial trucks can cause catastrophic amounts of damage, and trucking companies have an obligation to take appropriate measures toward minimizing the risk of such accidents.
The National Safety Council reports the involvement of 4,842 large trucks in fatal accidents for the year 2020. This statistic represents a large number of potentially devastating lawsuits for trucking companies, but businesses can reduce this risk by following good practices for lowering the chances of a trucking accident.
Enforce safety policies
Trucking companies must ensure that they have proper safety guidelines in place and that all employed drivers are abiding by those guidelines. For example, responsible trucking companies enforce a maximum amount of driving hours per day so that drivers are not operating vehicles while fatigued or drowsy.
Update training methods
Commercial driver training should instill principles of good decision-making, attentiveness and recognition of both performance and non-performance situations for vehicle operators. Businesses that see any uptick in accident occurrence should revisit their training methodologies.
Stay up-to-date on regulations
Not only do trucking companies need to make sure that their internal policies are relevant and up-to-date, but they also must comply with any changes to laws pertaining to the industry. This includes regulations dictating a trucking company’s obligations toward vehicle maintenance and safety procedures.
The potential for commercial vehicle accidents is one of the largest and most costly points of liability for trucking companies. Businesses can protect their finances and their reputations by reducing the risk of accidents and by seeking strong legal defense when a crash gives way to a lawsuit.
