Truck Accident Attorneys

Medically Unfit Truck Drivers – Are You at Risk?

Add undisclosed medical conditions to the list of dangers associated with large commercial trucks. According to a recent U.S. safety report, hundreds of thousands of truck drivers hold commercial licenses, despite being medically unfit to drive. Unsurprisingly, these drivers have been known to suffer seizures and blackouts behind the wheel, causing them to crash into – and often kill – the innocent drivers around them. In fact, several studies have shown medical disorders to be a leading cause of truck accidents in the United States.

To date, medically unfit truck drivers have contributed to countless truck accidents across the country, resulting in hundreds of injuries and fatalities – but little to no preventative action.

The size and weight of commercial trucks makes them inherently dangerous, even when all safety regulations are followed. The truck accident lawyers of Williams Kherkher believe that allowing truckers with unpredictable medical conditions to drive is, quite simply, both irresponsible and negligent. We are appalled that the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has, of its own admission, failed to implement a single one of the eight recommendations made by safety regulators and experts in 2001.

Who is at Fault?

Although federal law requires truck drivers to obtain medical certification before being licensed to drive, it is all too easy for commercial truckers to get around this requirement. Some truckers have been known to go “doctor shopping,” looking for an unscrupulous or unsuspecting physician who will grant them medical certification despite dangerous conditions such as sleep disorders, physical disability, and severe asthma. These truckers are knowingly and intentionally putting the safety of others at risk – and should be held responsible for their actions. A truck accident lawyer from Williams Kherkher can help you determine if a truck driver is legally at fault for your injuries.

In other situations, truck drivers might simply slip through the cracks of a system more concerned with maintaining the industry than enforcing safety. A trucking company that knowingly allows medically unfit drivers to continue working would be legally liable for any damages, injuries, or deaths that result.

Contact Us

Williams Kherkher is dedicated to protecting innocent drivers from truck drivers and trucking companies who operate without a reasonable regard to the safety of others. If you or your loved ones have been injured in an accident caused by a medically unfit truck driver, call our truck accident attorneys at 866-950-9000 today to schedule a free initial consultation.