You may not be aware, but California legislators passed a new law that requires entry-level commercial truck drivers to spend at least 15 hours of training behind the wheel before they will be eligible to receive their commercial driver’s license.
This new requirement goes further than the federal guidelines that were put into place in 2016.
“This measure will ensure that drivers of big rigs and other large vehicles have the necessary experience to drive safely on our streets and roads by establishing a minimum number of behind-the-wheel training hours,” said State Senate Majority Leader Bill Monning.
Before, all that was necessary for someone to obtain their CDL was for them to pass a written test and a driving test followed by a course of instruction.
At the Compass Law Group, we applaud these changes, but we know that motorists in and around the city still face dangers from these vehicles. If you need a Los Angeles truck accident attorney, you can count on our team to help you recover the compensation you need.
What Can Happen?
Large commercial trucks keep the LA economy going. They supply us with the goods that we buy and help support the construction that keeps us safe. You see them everywhere: eighteen-wheelers, garbage trucks, panel trucks, delivery trucks, and more.
Each of these vehicles has the potential to cause harm. If they are involved in an accident, they can easily create a mass casualty event due to their size and weight.
Driver negligence can cause major harm. Drivers should always follow all laws and regulations set forth, including ones regulating how much weight they can carry and how many hours they can operate in a day. They should never operate while impaired by drugs or alcohol and should never be distracted by their phones or other devices.
Vehicle failure is the reason for most large truck crashes. If truck companies and owners do not regularly inspect and maintain their vehicles and something goes wrong, the driver could lose control of the truck while moving at a high rate of speed.
A failure of the brakes, powertrain, wheels, tires, suspension, etc. can cause major destruction.
Negligent truck owners and drivers should be held accountable if their actions cause harm to other motorists.
What You Can Do
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident that was caused by either the truck driver’s negligence or failure of part of the truck, you need to seek legal assistance. At the Compass Law Group, we understand that you are going through so much right now. That is why we want to help.
Our knowledgeable and experienced team is ready to work and secure the compensation you deserve for all of your accident-related expenses. This can include:
- Your medical bills
- Pain and suffering damages
- Punitive damages (against the driver, company, or both)
- Lost income compensation
