Negligent Hiring of Truck Drivers

Standards for Hiring Commercial Motor Vehicle Drivers

Employers in the commercial trucking industry are prevented by law from knowingly allowing or permitting a disqualified driver to operate a commercial motor vehicle (CMV). Employers are also obligated to disqualify truck drivers who violate § 383.51 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations. An employer can be held responsible for the actions of their employee if that employee was hired negligently. Anyone injured in a truck accident should contact one of the experienced trucking accident lawyers at the Nashville firm of Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge to find out if this might apply to your case.

Call (615) 933-2893 for a free consultation to get started.

Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge has over a century of combined experience helping individuals hold trucking companies responsible for hiring unsafe drivers. Our firm fights for our clients fiercely, backed by extensive trial experience and a record of success. Attorney Randy Kinnard has tried over 250 cases alone. When you need to entrust your case to a representative, we are the names you can depend on.

What are the values that set our firm apart?

• Trusted Experience – Our attorneys have tried hundreds of cases, more than most firms ever do.
• Proven Success – Our firm has secured millions in record-breaking verdicts and settlements for individual clients.
• Client Dedication – Our clients matter to us; they are not just case numbers, but people we grow to care for. That’s why we fight for them.

Employer’s Duty to Reasonable & Safe Hiring Practices

As a driver, you have the right to expect reasonably safe behavior from professional truckers who share the road with you. The trucking industry tries to ensure safe driving by keeping track of truck drivers with unsafe records. However, when companies have negligent hiring practices, innocent people suffer the consequences.

As a result, Tennessee law does not only hold the driver responsible—the company may also be at fault. Discovering employer negligence is an important part of our work. If the driver who caused your injury or loss had a known record of reckless or unsafe driving, the employer is considered culpable in that driver’s actions. We make sure that every responsible party is subjected to the law for the sake of you, your loved ones, and every other driver on the road.

Obligation to Hire Drivers with Valid CDLs

Employers are required to hire truck drivers with valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs). Driving commercial semi trucks is a weighty responsibility that requires specialized skills. As such, the federal government mandates that these drivers obtain CDL certification from their state’s licensing bureau. Once a driver has a CDL, they must maintain it. Drivers can lose their certification through serious traffic violations. Employers are obligated to monitor violations that could put their driver’s CDLs in jeopardy.

Why Hire Kinnard, Clayton & Beveridge?

Our firm does not believe in shoddy, turn-and-burn legal work. We are seasoned trial lawyers who abide by our values, utilizing our experience and skill to better our clients’ lives. As a result, we have secured millions of dollars for our clients in record-breaking verdicts across the state. When you work with us, you can trust that we are able to fight for your cause—and we do it right.

Get started today by scheduling a free case consultation—call (615) 933-2893 today.