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Email UsOne of the lesser-known causes of truck accidents is the fact that there is a significant amount of pressure on commercial drivers to make deliveries on time. And that isn’t simply because truckers want to meet deadlines, it’s also because most drivers aren’t paid based on an hourly wage, but are instead compensated based on the number of miles they travel.
That fact has created a sense of urgency and that urgency may be a significant factor in the number of truck accidents on the road.
Let’s take a look at how the existing pay-per-mile system could be wreaking havoc on American roads.
The Effect of Pay-Per-Mile On the Rate of Truck Accidents
The existing pay-per-mile system in the commercial truck industry began about 70 years ago, when the president of the U.S. at the time desperate to jumpstart the U.S. economy, exempted truck carriers from paying their drivers minimum wage.
That model has pretty much persisted over the past seven decades, mostly because it makes business sense for truck carriers to pay their drivers per mile than to provide them with an hourly wage or a salary.
But that model is flawed in one very important aspect, and that is it incentivizes commercial truck drivers to do whatever it takes to make their deliveries. And that means that truck drivers are going to push the limits to get their products to the final destination, even if that means driving when they are exhausted, and driving when they know that it is dangerous to do so because they are not in good driving condition.
Some truck carriers have actually shifted to a model in which they pay their drivers on an hourly basis, and in doing so have seen some positive results.
By guaranteeing their drivers a consistent rate that isn’t dependent on the miles they drive, carriers that adopt the hourly model can encourage their employees to obey rest regulations and avoid driving when they know that they are fatigued. Some of these carriers have also shortened their route schedules, which has helped lower driver turnover and also lowered the number of truck accidents.
Protecting Your Rights After a Truck Accident
Surviving a truck accident is a minor miracle, and after you get over the confusion and the panic, you will need an experienced personal injury attorney to help you obtain the compensation you deserve for your injuries. The team at Rosner& Tucker P.C. has the resources and the expertise to help you fight the big insurance companies that provide coverage for these truck carriers. Please call us today at (856) 502-1655 to schedule a free evaluation of your case.