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October 10, 2024 by Greg Baumgartner
Filling a truck driver job includes keeping the roads safe, among other responsibilities. As you begin the hiring process, you have to do a thorough background check. Without this step, it can be the difference between safe deliveries and highway accidents.
Truck drivers transport goods and protect lives on the road. The stakes are high because statistics show that large truck accidents kill thousands of people each year.
Hiring an unqualified driver can subject your company to legal liability, financial loss, and damage to your company’s reputation. For this reason, a complete background check aids in mitigating these risks in addition to being evidence of your dedication to safety.
Besides hiring a truck driver, hire a Houston truck accident lawyer to explain your responsibilities and what to do if there are any legal problems with the hiring.
When you start the process of background checks, you should concentrate on the most important things that help you make your decision on hiring.
First, look at the potential hire’s driving record. A clean record shows responsibility for driving. However, multiple traffic violations or accidents should raise a red flag.
If a driver has a history of reckless behavior behind the wheel, there is a good chance that pattern will continue, endangering not just themselves but others as well.
Next, consider the importance of reviewing a candidate’s criminal history. Some offenses do not prohibit a person from being a truck driver. However, convictions for DUIs or other drug-related convictions can be very risky.
These legal issues can interfere with a driver’s ability to do their job safely and responsibly. Making an informed decision can be easier when you know the applicant’s background.
A background check also depends on employment history. It can tell you in what environment the driver has worked — whether in a large company or a small business. You might need to make sure references are available from former employers.
They can tell you a lot about the driver’s work ethic and work conduct on the job. If a candidate has been hopping from company to company, that could be a red flag for you before you hire them.
Additionally, a current medical exam is necessary to verify that a driver meets the physical requirements of the job. You have to give thought to the health conditions that prevent their active sports performances. After all, the well-being of every single person on the road relies on a driver’s physical and mental fitness.
In the trucking industry, there are no exceptions to regulatory requirements. A specific regulation set forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) must be followed.
It includes a CDL requirement and mandatory drug and alcohol testing. If you familiarize yourself with these regulations, you will be compliant and free from legal penalties.
While you go through the background check process, consider using professional background check services. These services deliver accurate and thorough reports, saving you time and headaches. These checks cost pennies compared to the price of hiring an unsuitable driver.
Legal considerations must be considered. Learn all about the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the law that outlines how background checks are legally conducted. This part of the process depends on obtaining consent from candidates. If your business fails to comply with these regulations, you could face legal ramifications.
A thorough background check when hiring a truck driver is for the company’s sake and the lives of other road users. If you have challenges in this process, hiring a truck accident lawyer can be very helpful.
Contact our truck accident attorneys in Houston for a free consultation about injury accidents.
6711 Cypress Creek Pkwy, Houston, TX, 77069
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Featured Image Source: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/driver-with-an-open-hand-greeting-truck-behind-him-gm956753582-261236534
Greg Baumgartner is a preeminent rated personal injury lawyer based in Houston, Texas, with over three decades of experience representing severely injured clients in truck accidents. He founded Baumgartner Law Firm, in 1985, with a mission to provide excellent legal representa-tion and personalized attention to every client.
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