Every worker has responsibilities in their role. Paramedics are responsible
for providing emergency medical care to people who are ill or injured.
Mechanics are responsible for repairing vehicles. Truck drivers are responsible
for transporting their cargo, but have another responsibility as well:
To drive safely.
Not every trucker fulfills their responsibility to drive safely, and the
consequences are greater than just not doing their job well. Driving recklessly
can endanger the lives of other people on the road.
If a truck driver causes a collision and injures another driver, it is
often the result of the own driver’s negligence. However,
truck accidents can also be caused by negligent hiring.
What is Negligent Hiring?
“Negligent hiring” defines any hiring practice that results
in an employee being hired despite apparent safety concerns. In the trucking
industry, this could mean hiring a person who has a history of driving
under the influence or driving recklessly.
Trucking Company Hiring Responsibilities
When evaluating the qualifications of a new worker, employers examine their
education, certifications, and previous professional experience. A trucking
company that is committed to hiring qualified and safe drivers will look
for candidates who are experienced and have a clean driving record. Employers
should conduct a thorough background check in order to eliminate applicants
who have a history of driving recklessly.
An Employer’s Responsibilities After Hiring a New Worker
Beyond an employee’s first day of work, trucking companies have other
responsibilities to maintain the safety of their operation. Trucking companies
are often responsible for maintaining their vehicles and conducting safety
inspections, but there are things they can do on an employee level too.
This may include administering safety training and monitoring conduct
violations.
An employee who has a safe reputation upon hire can still endanger other
drivers without proper oversight. It is crucial for employers to consistently
evaluate their workforce’s level of safety, and address any shortcomings.
It is possible that negligent hiring contributed to your car accident case.
If there is evidence that the trucking company knowingly hired a person
with little experience or a history of reckless driving, they could be
liable for damages in addition to the driver. They could also be liable
for any failure to maintain safety after they were hired.
The Gruenberg Kelly Della legal team is familiar with truck accident litigation.
For an experienced viewpoint on your case, contact us today.
To schedule a free consultation with our attorneys, complete our
contact form or call 888.305.6372.