In order to operate a commercial vehicle, truck drivers must receive proper training and pass exams to receive their commercial drivers license (CDL).1 Knowing how to control the large truck is only part of the requirements to receive a CDL, however, as the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) also requires that a driver is found medically fit for duty.2 A driver must undergo a physical examination by an approved medical examiner who must certify that a driver is free from any health conditions that may lead to adverse health events and cause devastating collisions.
Some examples of health issues that may lead to truck accidents include:
- Cardiovascular disease that may lead to heart attacks
- Health risks for strokes
- Epilepsy, diabetes, or other disorders that may lead to seizures
- Hearing impairments
- Vision impairments
- Arthritis
- Pain disorders
- Mental illness
You can imagine the damage that may occur if a driver suddenly suffers a serious medical event and loses control of their 80,000-pound vehicle at highway speeds.
Even if a truck driver passes the medical exam, they should report if a serious health event later develops. If they are aware of the risks of a heart attack, seizure, or similar health event and they continue to drive a commercial vehicle, drivers should be held responsible for the losses of any victims injured in a resulting accident. In many cases, the trucking company may be held liable as well.
Discuss your case with a Houston truck accident lawyer as soon as possible
If you suffered injuries in a commercial truck accident that you believe was the fault of the driver, you should always make sure to seek assistance from an attorney with the resources, knowledge, and drive necessary to successfully handle this type of case. Trucking companies have the funds and resources to provide aggressive defense for their drivers in accident cases, but Houston truck accident attorney Stewart J. Guss knows how to keep fighting to prove your claim. Please contact our office as soon as possible at 800-898-4877 for a free consultation so we can begin standing up for your rights to recovery.
1https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/registration/commercial-drivers-license
2https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical/driver-medical-requirements/driver-medical-fitness-duty
