At What Point Do Truck Drivers Get Fired?

By Zane T. Cagle | January 29, 2021 | Truck Accidents

If you were recently injured in a truck accident, you likely have a lot of questions. Many of these questions might be about the truck driver and what will happen to them after the crash. Driving a vehicle as large as a truck is a huge responsibility, and these larger, commercial vehicles pose more of a threat than other vehicles on the road. After being injured in a truck accident, you might be worried about someone else getting hurt the same way. This might cause you to wonder, “at what point do truck drivers get fired?” You may also be worried about a truck driver actually being fired or reprimanded as we are all fellow human beings and the importance of livelihood.

Due to the sheer size of commercial trucks and the damage they can sustain in a crash, drivers are required to be professionally trained. Thankfully, most truck drivers focus on safety as their first priority. If the crash you were involved in was a result of an extremely dangerous driving behavior such as excessive speeding, drunk driving, or erratic driving, you may wonder if this driver will continue to be able to drive and endanger others.

A truck driver can possibly be fired for their actions, and all it takes in some cases is one accident, depending on how the crash happened and what errors were made. A truck accident lawyer in St. Louis, MO, can give you more information about this and other questions you might have.

What Can Cause a Truck Driver to Be Fired?

A truck accident doesn’t automatically mean that a truck driver will get fired. Other drivers cause or contribute to the cause of some truck accidents, or the trucking company could be at fault, not the actual truck driver. However, a truck driver may be fired if the accident was caused by their negligent behavior and could have been avoided. Each transportation company has policies regarding fireable offenses, and those policies must be in line with Federal Motor Carrier Association rules and policies.

Here are a few factors that may lead to a truck driver being released from his/her employment:

Speeding

All drivers need to adhere to the speed limit, but commercial truck drivers especially need to follow this. Speeding makes it difficult for trucks to stop on time and makes it harder for drivers to control their vehicles. If a truck driver causes an accident by speeding, they could be fired, but even if they don’t cause an accident and get enough speeding tickets, they could be let go by their employer.

Driving Under the Influence

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol puts everyone on the road at serious risk. Accidents caused by drugs or alcohol are always avoidable and should never occur. Driving under the influence will typically cause a driver to be fired right away. In addition to a driver losing their job if they’ve been driving under the influence, they could also face jail time. As drunk driving is a felony for any driver, it is particularly egregious for a professional driver such as a commercial truck driver.

Road Rage

Driving can often be stressful, but drivers can’t let that affect their driving, even when they’ve been on the roads for long periods of time. Road rage is extremely dangerous, and truck drivers could be fired if they drive aggressively or are violent towards other drivers. Again, driving in a reckless, rageful way that causes injury to others can be a felony for any driver. The vast majority of commercial drivers know this is absolutely dangerous and must avoid it completely.

Distracted Driving

It only takes being distracted for a moment for an accident to happen, and distractions, such as eating, drinking, and daydreaming, are all around. Commercial truck drivers are also prohibited from using hand-held devices while driving. An accident caused by a truck driver distracted by electronics or other distractions could lead to reprimands, suspensions, and possible employment termination. Clearly, when professional drivers have infractions such as speeding, distraction, and inattention in their personnel file, it becomes increasingly difficult for transportation companies/employers to support a driver with multiple infractions as they can become a serious liability should a crash occur.

See How a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Help

Life can be overwhelming after a traumatic event, and you might be struggling with serious injuries, but you don’t have to do it all alone. After a truck accident, you need to have the right support and guidance to get you through it. At The Cagle Law Firm, we’ll work with you to ensure that your questions are answered and help you receive financial compensation for the accident. To be clear, getting truck drivers “fired” from jobs is not our primary goal in the representation of our clients. Our mission is to assist our clients in obtaining the needed compensation for damages.

Contact The Cagle Law Firm toll-free at (1-800) 685-3302 or locally at (314) 276-1681 to speak with a personal injury lawyer who knows how to handle truck accident cases.

About The Author

Zane T. Cagle

Zane T. Cagle is the founding president and lead trial attorney at The Cagle Law Firm. With a strong dedication to his clients, he has built a reputation for his tenacious representation in personal injury cases, ensuring each client's unique story is heard. Areas of Practice: Personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death. Bar Admissions: Supreme Court of Missouri, Illinois & Kentucky. Superior Court of U.S. Virgin Islands Education: Washington University School of Law. Awards: Super Lawyers, Top 40 Under 40 by The National Trial Lawyers Association, 10 Best in Missouri for Customer Satisfaction.

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