Negligent Hiring Practices at Trucking Companies

In California, trucking companies have a legal duty to hire qualified, safe drivers. Negligent hiring occurs when a trucking company hires or retains a driver it knew—or should have known—posed a risk to others on the road.

What Negligent Hiring Means

Negligent hiring is a form of employer negligence that holds trucking companies accountable for their role in putting unsafe drivers behind the wheel. A company may be found liable if it hires a driver without performing proper background checks, ignores red flags in the driver’s history, or fails to verify qualifications required by state and federal law.

Under California law, employers must exercise reasonable care when hiring employees whose work may pose a risk to the public. The trucking industry, which operates large commercial vehicles capable of causing severe damage, is held to a particularly high standard.

Examples of Negligent Hiring in the Trucking Industry

Trucking companies can be considered negligent when they fail to follow safety protocols in the hiring process. Common examples include:

• Hiring drivers with poor driving records that show reckless or impaired driving violations.
• Failing to conduct drug and alcohol testing as required by federal safety regulations.
• Employing drivers without valid commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) or required endorsements.
• Ignoring medical or health issues that prevent safe operation of a truck.
• Failing to verify employment history or prior safety violations.
• Neglecting to provide adequate training for new drivers or those operating specialized equipment.

Any of these actions can expose a company to liability if the driver causes a crash.

How Negligent Hiring Causes Accidents

Unqualified or unsafe drivers are more likely to make critical mistakes that endanger others. Negligent hiring contributes to accidents by:

• Allowing fatigued or untrained drivers to operate heavy trucks.
• Enabling drivers with substance abuse histories to continue driving.
• Failing to ensure drivers understand hours-of-service regulations and vehicle maintenance procedures.
• Ignoring previous violations of safety rules or traffic laws.

When a trucking company’s lack of oversight leads to a preventable accident, victims can pursue a personal injury or wrongful death claim against both the driver and the company.

Proving Negligent Hiring

To hold a trucking company liable for negligent hiring, victims must show that the company failed to act with reasonable care when selecting or supervising the driver. Evidence in these cases often includes:

• Driver qualification files and background checks.
• Employment applications and training records.
• Drug and alcohol testing reports.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) compliance documents.
• Accident reports and witness statements.

There must be proof establishing that negligence in hiring directly contributed to the crash.

How a Riverside Trucking Accident Lawyer Can Help

Proving negligent hiring requires extensive investigation and an understanding of both California negligence law and federal trucking regulations. An experienced Riverside Truck Accident Lawyer can:

• Investigate the trucking company’s hiring and supervision practices.
• Obtain employment and safety records to prove negligence.
• Work with accident reconstruction and trucking experts to establish fault.
• Identify all liable parties, including contractors and insurers.
• Negotiate or litigate for maximum compensation.

Victims of truck accidents often face significant medical bills, lost income, and emotional trauma. A lawyer can help ensure they receive full and fair compensation.

Contact Us

If you were injured in a truck accident our Riverside Truck Accident Attorney can review your case, determine whether negligent hiring played a role, and fight for the compensation you deserve. Contact us by calling (951) 688-0006 or messaging us online today for a free consultation.