The recent The New York Times article, “Truckers Kill More Than 5,000 People a Year. Regulators Are At Fault” highlights growing concerns about how weakened oversight within the trucking industry is contributing to thousands of preventable crashes and fatalities each year.
One tragic example occurred last August in Florida, where an inexperienced truck driver allegedly made an illegal U-turn that resulted in a fatal collision. Investigators later discovered the driver had obtained a commercial driver’s license under loosened federal standards that reduced background and driving-history checks.
According to the article, trucking collisions are becoming more common as industry lobbying efforts continue to promote the narrative of a nationwide truck-driver shortage. In response, regulators expanded the labor pool and lowered hiring barriers. As the industry rapidly expanded and competition intensified, freight rates declined, prompting many trucking companies to cut costs in ways that compromised safety.
Another growing concern is the rise of so-called “CDL mills.” These are training programs that quickly certify drivers with minimal hands-on experience. Combined with deregulation and limited enforcement resources, these practices have shifted the industry’s focus toward moving freight as cheaply as possible, often at the expense of public safety.
Shaun Callahan, Partner at GLP Attorneys, has seen the consequences of these systemic failures firsthand through his work representing victims of trucking collisions.
“Driving a truck is not as simple as people think,” Callahan said. “When we don’t hold truck drivers to the standard of a professional driver, people get hurt or die. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and state regulators are tasked with ensuring that the people driving these 80,000-pound vehicles on our roadways are doing so safely.
Lately, these agencies have been underfunded, hollowed out, and weakened to the point that they cannot perform their primary function of keeping our roads safe from dangerous trucking companies. The result is deadlier roads and a system that punishes good truck drivers who follow the law while rewarding dangerous companies and drivers that put our communities and families at risk.
GLP Attorneys is committed to holding dangerous truck drivers and trucking companies accountable, making our roads safer, and pursuing justice for victims and their families.”
Some reform efforts are underway. Proposed legislation such as Dalilah’s Law, named after a 5-year-old girl injured in a 2024 trucking crash, aims to strengthen commercial driver’s license standards by closing self-certification loopholes and requiring English proficiency for commercial drivers.
While these reforms are a step in the right direction, significant concerns remain unaddressed, including the large number of unsafe trucks operating on public roads and the continued lack of funding and staffing for meaningful safety enforcement.
Why Do You Need an Experienced Trucking Accident Attorney?
The systemic concerns help explain why trucking accident cases are complex and why experienced legal representation is critical for injured victims. Trucking companies and insurers frequently deploy investigators immediately after a crash to gather evidence and protect their interests.
A skilled trucking injury attorney can move quickly to preserve crucial evidence before it is altered, hidden, or destroyed. These attorneys also understand the extensive federal and industry regulations governing commercial drivers, including the CDL manual and Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, and can determine whether safety violations contributed to the accident.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Trucking Accident?
Determining fault in a trucking accident is often far more complex than in a standard car crash. Trucking companies and their insurers typically act quickly. They send investigators to the scene to collect evidence before an injured person even has the chance to leave the hospital. Their legal teams often become involved early, and they defend these cases aggressively.
Several parties may be responsible for a trucking accident, including:
- Truck Drivers
- Trucking Companies
- Trucking Manufacturers
- Loading Companies
Navigating a Trucking Injury Claim
Claims involving truck drivers and trucking companies must account for state and federal regulations designed to promote safety and hold negligent operators accountable. These cases can become even more complicated when multiple insurance policies or carriers are involved.
Since trucking laws differ from those governing passenger vehicles, it’s crucial to work with an attorney who understands the unique rules, responsibilities, and challenges involved in a trucking case. GLP Attorneys maintains a dedicated practice group focused on trucking law to ensure its attorneys remain well-versed in the regulations that apply to commercial truck operators and their employers.
What Are the Types of Compensation Available After a Trucking Collision?
If you suffered injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses and future treatment costs
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Emotional distress
Contact an Experienced Trucking Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been involved in a trucking accident, speaking with an experienced personal injury attorney can help you better understand your rights and legal options.
GLP Attorneys has decades of experience representing individuals and families impacted by serious trucking accidents and is committed to helping victims pursue the compensation and support they deserve.
To speak with a member of our team, call (800) 273- 5005 for a free consultation with one of our personal injury attorneys.
