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Truck drivers who operate tractor trailers and other large commercial vehicles play a major role in both large and small businesses given the need for many goods to be transported from one side of the country to the other. That being the case, it is not uncommon to see accidents between smaller automobiles and large commercial trucks throughout Florida and all across the country. A Fort Myers personal injury lawyer like Randall Spivey knows that "accidents involving semi-tractor trailers, dump trucks and large trucks all too often can result in catastrophic injuries or death." 

Trucks are large, heavy vehicles that require drivers to have certain abilities that individuals who operate standard motor vehicles do not necessarily need. Accordingly, people who operate trucks and other large vehicles are required to have commercial driver's licenses (CDLs) in order to operate such vehicles. But a recent accident that involved a semi-trailer has a Florida senator seeking even tougher standards to be placed on those seeking commercial driver's licenses.

What Happened?

The accident that led to the call took place in Hillsborough County on I-75. The semi truck pulled out to pass by a BMW, and in the process of doing so, it clipped the back of the motor vehicle. As a result, the truck overturned and the BMW went into the river. The driver of the automobile was killed.

Upon looking into the truck driver's record, it was learned that he not only had a driving history that included almost 30 infractions over the past 10 years, but his driver's license had also been suspended six times. Given this driver's history, the senator, along with others, are wondering why the truck driver was still able to hold any type of license, CDL or otherwise.

Why Should Things Change?

The truck driver in the above-mentioned scenario had obtained a standard Class E non-commercial driver's license back in 2002. Since that time, he had violations across several states that included speeding, driving with a suspended or revoked license and driving with equipment that was out of order. Even with such violations, the driver was still permitted to test and obtain his commercial driver's license in 2010.

As your Fort Myers personal injury lawyer is well aware, the concerns over the ease of getting a CDL are not new. However, according to a lieutenant with the Florida Department of Motor Vehicles, a person's driving history can't be used to disqualify him or her from getting a CDL--all an applicant needs is to have a valid license and pass the skills and written test.

The senator believes that the standards need to be tougher and he is hoping that  the transportation committee that he chairs will take up the matter as soon as possible because it is definitely something that needs to be reviewed.

If you or someone you love has been hurt in an accident involving a commercial vehicle, contact a Fort Myers personal injury lawyer at the Spivey Law Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.A. as soon as possible.