Discussions about major car crashes often focus on how drivers can reduce risks. A large percentage of collisions occur because motorists make bad decisions in traffic ordo not invest adequately in the maintenance of their vehicles.

However, outside parties can also influence the likelihood of a wreck occurring. When a collision involves a semi-truck or another vehicle, the transportation business that hired the driver may have a degree of fault in addition to the drivers who may have contributed to the situation.

There are actually multiple ways that commercial transportation companies can reduce the likelihood of major crashes occurring. If transportation companies don’t take all three of the steps outlined below, then they may have a degree of responsibility for a recent wreck.

Properly Vetting Employees

Operator error is a leading cause of semi-truck collisions, just as it is a top cause of other types of crashes. Transportation companies can reduce the likelihood of their drivers causing preventable collisions by maintaining very strict standards regarding who they hire. Ensuring that they only work with drivers who have clean records and adequate professional experience can drastically reduce the likelihood of collisions occurring.

Properly Maintaining Trucks

A minor issue with a commercial vehicle could have catastrophic consequences in traffic. Transportation companies should make reasonable efforts to keep their fleet vehicles in the best condition possible. In fact, they may want to increase their investment in safety infrastructure, such as underride guards. According to commercial collision statistics, roughly 10% of the crashes that commercial vehicles cause occur due to issues with the commercial vehicle.

Setting Reasonable Work Standards

Transportation companies often put an unsustainable level of pressure on their drivers. They offer bonuses or better routes to drivers who always get their loads in on time. They make these demands without accounting for traffic backups or bad weather. They may also demand that workers respond to dispatch updates using digital devices, which can lead to distraction and preventable collisions. They schedule their workers for long shifts, increasing their likelihood of falling asleep at the wheel.

When transportation companies don’t follow common-sense rules that could significantly reduce the likelihood of a crash, they may be responsible if a serious wreck occurs. If there is evidence to support the assertion that the trucking company was negligent, a lawsuit against the company might be possible, in addition to a commercial insurance claim. Understanding the ways that trucking companies may contribute to semi-truck crash risk could help people as they seek compensation after a wreck.