Hyattsville Truck Accident Attorney for Negligent Supervision

Dedicated Lawyer Addressing Improper Supervision of Truck Drivers in Hyattsville, Maryland Truck Accident Cases

Trucking companies are responsible for ensuring that their drivers operate commercial trucks safely while following the appropriate laws and regulations. This responsibility extends beyond hiring and training, and companies are also required to provide ongoing supervision and monitoring of their drivers. When a dispatcher or trucking company fails to properly supervise its drivers, the consequences can be devastating.

At Kisner Law, we work with victims of truck accidents to make sure they can address the issues that led to their injuries. Attorney Jason Kisner can investigate the circumstances surrounding truck crashes and identify failures in oversight that put the public at risk. He fights aggressively to hold negligent companies accountable for the damages suffered by truck accident victims.

The Role of Supervision in Commercial Trucking Operations

Motor carriers and their dispatchers are responsible for actively managing truck drivers and ensuring that they comply with safety protocols. Proper supervision includes:

• Monitoring Hours of Service (HOS): A company must ensure that drivers are not violating federal limits on driving hours and are taking required rest breaks.
• Tracking Driver Location and Activity: A company may use GPS and electronic logging devices (ELDs) to verify that drivers are following routes safely and responsibly.
• Conducting Random Drug and Alcohol Testing: Companies must perform periodic screenings to detect substance use and keep dangerous drivers off the road.
• Responding to Safety Incidents: A company will need to investigate complaints, review accident reports, or take action to address performance issues promptly.
• Evaluating Driving Behavior: By reviewing driver logs, electronic data, and dashcam footage, companies can identify patterns of dangerous or erratic driving and take steps to ensure that drivers are following the correct procedures.
• Providing Ongoing Safety Training: A company must provide continued education for drivers to ensure that they understand safety practices, updated regulations, and defensive driving techniques.

The Dangers of Poor Supervision in the Trucking Industry

Failing to supervise truck drivers properly can have far-reaching consequences. Without effective oversight, companies may allow unsafe behavior to continue. Some of the most serious risks include:

• Driver Fatigue: Without regular monitoring of truck driver logs, drivers may exceed their legal limits, resulting in exhaustion and drowsiness. Fatigue is a leading cause of serious truck accidents.
• Impaired Driving: Companies that fail to conduct random drug and alcohol testing may overlook drivers who use substances while on duty. These drivers are a serious threat to everyone on the road, since intoxication is likely to lead to devastating accidents.
• Reckless or Aggressive Driving: Drivers who routinely speed, tailgate, or violate traffic laws may continue these habits if dispatchers and managers do not review safety reports or dashcam footage.
• Inadequate Vehicle Maintenance: Poor oversight may result in drivers skipping pre-trip inspections or ignoring mechanical issues, increasing the chance of brake failures, tire blowouts, engine problems, or other issues that could cause a truck to break down and cause an accident.
• Failure to Address Safety Complaints: Companies that do not take complaints or warning signs seriously may miss opportunities to intervene before a serious accident occurs.

How Kisner Law Investigates Supervision Failures and Holds Trucking Companies Liable

When a truck accident occurs, one of the most important questions is whether it could have been prevented through better oversight. Attorney Kisner can investigate trucking company practices to uncover failures in supervision and management. These investigations may include:

• Reviewing Driver Logs and Electronic Records: We examine data from electronic logging devices, dispatch systems, and GPS trackers to identify violations of federal driving limits or signs of fatigue.
• Analyzing Safety Policies and Internal Protocols: We can evaluate whether the company had clear procedures for supervising truck drivers and whether those procedures were followed correctly.
• Requesting Drug and Alcohol Testing Records: If impairment may have been a factor in a truck accident, we can look at whether the company complied with mandatory testing requirements and took the proper actions in response to any violations.
• Examining Complaint Records and Incident Reports: We will check for prior incidents or red flags that a company failed to address.
• Interviewing Employees and Supervisors: Testimony from dispatchers, safety managers, or coworkers may reveal a pattern of neglect or indifference to safety issues at a trucking company.

Contact Our Hyattsville, Maryland Truck Accident Attorney for Inadequate Supervision

When a trucking company has failed to properly supervise a driver and prevent an accident, Kisner Law can work with the victim to make sure they will receive financial compensation for their damages. Attorney Kisner will investigate every angle of the case, identify the failures that contributed to the crash, and hold the responsible parties accountable. Reach out to us at 240-459-0097 for a free consultation.