Truck Accidents Caused by Poor Training & Inexperienced Drivers — Risks, Causes, and Injury Statistics

Why Training & Driver Experience Matter

Operating a semi-truck safely requires skill in braking, lane changes, wide turns, cargo securement, hazard recognition, and compliance with federal safety rules. Poor training or limited experience raises crash risk significantly.

Government Findings

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration-sponsored (FMCSA) research shows that driving experience strongly influences crash likelihood. New commercial drivers have the highest crash and violation rates. In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported 5,472 deaths in large-truck crashes and 153,452 injuries (NSC). Most victims were occupants of other vehicles.

How Poor Training Contributes to Semi-Truck Crashes

• Misjudging stopping distance,

• Mishandling wide turns,

• Poor mirror use and blind-spot checks,

• Improper cargo loading or securement,

• Inadequate winter or emergency-driving skills,

• Fatigue due to improperly taking breaks, and

• Violations of FMCSA safety rules.

Driver Shortage Impact

National discussions highlight challenges in hiring experienced drivers. Less experienced drivers entering the industry quickly may receive shortened training or be placed into demanding routes prematurely.

Chicago & Midwest Considerations

High-risk zones include I-90/94, I-294, I-80, I-55, and urban intersections. Inexperienced drivers face winter hazards, tight merges, and complex interchanges.

Common Injuries due to semi-truck accidents:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis

• Multiple fractures

• Internal organ damage

• Wrongful death

What To Do After a Crash Involving an Inexperienced or Poorly Trained Driver

1. Call 911

2. Document vehicle angles, signage, and roadway conditions

3. Seek medical care

4. Decline recorded insurer statements

5. Quickly contact a successful truck-accident attorney such as the Vrodolyak Law Group. Trucking companies will send out their team of experts following a crash to collect data to prove the accident was your fault. You deserve a legal team with the experience, knowledge, and resources to collect data and analyze the accident. Relevant data often includes: training records, CDL history, road-test results, company safety manuals, ELD data, and FMCSA violation history.

Sources

- FMCSA & VTTI Study on Driver Age/Experience and Crash Risk

- NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts 2023: Large Trucks

- National Safety Council Injury Facts

- FMCSA Compliance, Safety, Accountability Crash Risk Analysis

- U.S. DOT OIG Report on Driver Detention