Do Older Truck Drivers Pose an Accident Risk

February 15, 2019 | Attorney, Matthew Dolman
Do Older Truck Drivers Pose an Accident Risk

Age as a Factor in Semi-Truck Accidents

Truck drivers are becoming more and more scarce; creating a shortage that has put a massive strain on the trucking industry. Truck drivers are an essential part of American infrastructure's need for constant transport of goods back and forth across the country. As a byproduct of this shortage, many trucking companies have neglected to take as much care when it comes to their drivers. Trucking companies sometimes hire young fresh-faced drivers that don't have as much training as they should or lack the proper certification. Other times, trucking companies will look in the opposite direction to bring back retired semi-truck drivers or simply retain drivers that have gotten especially long in the tooth. These older drivers are not always a risk when it comes to semi-truck accidents but some have or develop health conditions that can cause issues when they drive a tractor-trailer.

Semi-Truck Accident Claims with Older Drivers

There really is no set maximum age limit when it comes to hiring truck drivers. There is a lower age limit of 18 years old for the state of Florida in order to become CDL certified with many other states requiring a minimum age of 21, but you can theoretically drive a tractor-trailer into your 90's. As long as you are able to pass the required physical examination, you are able to drive a tractor-trailer. Some drivers that are hired by trucking companies conveniently fall through the cracks of the system and work long after they would typically not pass a physical examination. The truck companies that hire truckers that do not meet the physical health requirements put in place to ensure safety may be considered liable in the event that driver causes an accident. A person injured in a semi-truck accident can pursue compensation for the damages that they suffered by filing a semi-truck accident claim. If they can prove that an older truck driver caused an accident because of their health and that their trucking company failed to screen their physical fitness then that can show they were negligent.

Don't File a Truck Accident Claim on Your Own

Those wishing to seek compensation by filing a semi-truck accident claim will have a great deal of work on their hands. Proving the negligence of a defendant in a truck accident claim requires a great deal of research, investigation, and knowledge of the legal process. Plaintiffs should not attempt filing a claim on their own and should consider hiring a lawyer with experience handling truck accident claims. Superlawyers page and the Dolman Law team have a long track record of truck accident claims that have successfully recovered settlements for clients suffering from severe injuries. We offer free consultations and are happy to speak with you about what we can do to assist as your legal representation.

How do Older Truck Drivers Increase Semi-Truck Accident Risk?

It is no secret that the older we get, the more likely we become to suffer from health issues and a variety of maladies as our bodies age and weaken. It is logical to assume that the older a truck driver is, the higher the chance for them to suffer from a health issue that could potentially impact their driving ability and by extension cause a semi-truck accident. Semi truck drivers already lead a lifestyle that is not exactly what would be considered healthy. Sitting behind the wheel of a large vehicle all day with little opportunity to exercise or prepare healthy meals lands many truck drivers with all kinds of health issues. So by the time they reach their later years, they have a good bit of damage done to their bodies already.

Health Issues Common in Older Semi-Truck Drivers

Older truck drivers may actually be fine and perfectly able to drive into their 60's or even 70's as long as they pass the physical assessment of their health as required by regulation. However, many drive into this advanced age with a number of medical issues. Some of the most common include: Cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer's and dementia: Truck driving requires a surprising amount of mental acuity that cognitive disorders can interfere with. Joint pain and arthritis: Maneuvering must be done with laser precision at times and pain in the hands can cause mistakes that end up causing accidents. Weakness in the muscles: driving a truck all day can be a physical strain. Despite the sedentary stretches behind the wheel, there are bouts of physically intense work. Loss of vision or hearing: The senses must be sharp in order to see incoming road hazards and avoid scenarios where accidents are likely. Conditions that could lead to a stroke or heart attack: A heart attack or stroke behind the wheel is a worst case scenario that causes loss of control over 80,000 pounds of semi-truck. It goes without saying that a lot of people can get hurt or killed should this happen.

Seek an Experienced Semi-Truck Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident where a truck driver was under the influence then do not hesitate to contact Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA about a free consultation on your potential claim. Our lawyers are more than happy to sit with you and discuss the details of your claim. We can offer insight on your claim and outline some options of how you can take legal action against those responsible for your injuries. Matt Dolman and the rest of the Dolman Law team have been handling truck accident claims for years now with a long record of success. We provide each client with the level of attention that they would expect to receive from a smaller firm yet we offer the resources and above the bar result of a major law firm. Let us assist you in seeking compensation for your injuries from the insurance company. Going it alone against these companies can be exceptionally difficult even when not dealing with truck accident injuries. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA will take the fight to the insurance company and ensure that you receive the fair settlement that you deserve. You can reach our Clearwater office at 727-451-6900 or contact us online. Dolman Law Group Accident Injury Lawyers, PA 800 North Belcher Road Clearwater, FL 33756 727-451-6900 https://www.dolmanlaw.com/legal-services/truck-accident-attorneys/

 

Matthew Dolman

Personal Injury Lawyer

This article was written and reviewed by Matthew Dolman. Matt has been a practicing civil trial, personal injury, products liability, and mass tort lawyer since 2004. He has successfully fought for more than 11,000 injured clients and acted as lead counsel in more than 1,000 lawsuits. Always on the cutting edge of personal injury law, Matt is actively engaged in complex legal matters, including Suboxone, AFFF, and Ozempic lawsuits.  Matt is a lifetime member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum for resolving individual cases in excess of $1 million and $2 million, respectively. He has also been selected by his colleagues as a Florida Superlawyer and as a member of Florida’s Legal Elite on multiple occasions. Further, Matt has been quoted in the media numerous times and is a sought-after speaker on a variety of legal issues and topics.

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