Are there truckers with fraudulent commercial trucking licenses in Fort Pierce?

There’s nothing more frightening than being in a car accident. The lights flashing, the traffic bearing down on you-the panic fills the air until the car stops spinning. When it stops, you’re awake-and you’re alive.

But if the other vehicle had been a semi, you may not have been so lucky. Due to large loads and long hours, a Fort Pierce semi truck accident is not only more likely to occur, it is more likely to cause severe injury.

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Trucking companies are required to adhere to safety standards to reduce the dangers on the road. There are state and federal laws in place governing load size, hours of service, and safety training to ensure the safety of all drivers. If companies don’t pass, they don’t get operating licenses-but that may not stop them from driving. Many truck drivers operate semis on a daily basis without obtaining a commercial license.

Why are unlicensed truckers in Fort Pierce especially dangerous?

• Lack of training. In order to obtain a commercial trucking license, drivers must undergo rigorous training courses. Dealing with fatigue, long hours, and the particular hazards of driving a heavily-laden vehicle are all part of the training. By skipping their training, illegal truck drivers greatly compromise your safety.
  No compliance. Since they don’t have to report to any authorities, illegal truck drivers are free to skip weigh stations, drive several hours over the recommended fatigue limit, and overload their vehicles. Older semi trucks and equipment are also cheaper than newer ones, leading to unlicensed truckers driving unsafe vehicles.
• Unknown cargo. Truck drivers hauling illegal wares have reason to avoid the authorities-including commercial licensing committees. These drivers will usually purchase fraudulent licenses to show the police if pulled over, since having their papers in order makes it less likely that their cargo will be searched.
• Illegal activities. Some trucking companies forge their licenses just to save money, but sometimes the reason is more nefarious. Whatever the reason, the drivers are not adhering to standard, and they could be engaging in other illegal actions that put Florida drivers at risk.

It doesn’t matter why a semi truck driver was driving without a license: if they caused an accident, they must be held accountable. Our experienced Fort Pierce semi accident attorneys can get you help for your injury and compensation for your medical bills-and stop the truck driver from hurting someone else. Call Fetterman & Associates today at (866) 865-1244 for more information.