Do New Truck Drivers Cause More Accidents?

Yes. A contributing factor that frequently emerges in trucking crashes is driver inexperience. Although trucking companies are required to screen, train, and supervise commercial truck drivers, those safeguards do not always function as intended. In Colorado, where large trucks regularly travel through urban corridors, mountain passes, construction zones, and high-speed highways, the risks associated with inexperienced truck drivers are especially pronounced.

Research consistently shows that experience matters more than age when it comes to truck driver safety. Studies analyzing tens of thousands of commercial drivers have found that novice truck drivers are significantly more likely to be involved in crashes than their more experienced counterparts. As the trucking industry faces an ongoing shortage of qualified drivers, younger and less experienced drivers are increasingly recruited to fill gaps. While age alone is not a predictor of unsafe driving, inadequate training, mentoring, and supervision can dramatically increase crash risk when new drivers are placed behind the wheel of large commercial vehicles.

Inexperience affects a truck driver’s ability to safely manage fatigue, speed, following distance, distractions, and complex driving environments. New truck drivers may struggle with judging stopping distances, navigating blind spots, responding to sudden hazards, or handling adverse weather and night driving. Tight delivery schedules and long shifts can further compound these risks. In Colorado, where weather conditions and terrain can change quickly, these challenges are magnified and can lead to catastrophic outcomes for surrounding motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

Determining responsibility in a Colorado truck accident involving an inexperienced driver often requires a deeper investigation than a typical car crash. While the driver may bear some responsibility, liability frequently extends to the trucking company if it failed to properly train, supervise, or evaluate the driver before allowing them to operate a commercial vehicle. Other contributing factors, such as unrealistic delivery deadlines, overloaded or improperly secured cargo, or poorly maintained equipment, may also point to broader systemic failures rather than isolated driver error.

Ultimately, truck accident liability in Colorado depends on identifying the root causes of the crash and whether negligence played a role. When trucking companies place inexperienced drivers on the road without adequate safeguards, the consequences can be severe. Accountability in these cases is not about assigning blame to hardworking drivers, but about ensuring that safety obligations are met so that everyone sharing Colorado’s roads has a fair chance of making it home safely.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Colorado truck accident, you do not need to face the challenges alone. Please send us a message or call us at 720-740-3423 to schedule a free case evaluation. Remember, you have one chance at attaining full and complete justice, and we are here to ensure you seize it. Let Colorado’s top-rated personal injury lawyers fight for your rights, protect your interests, and deliver the justice you deserve. We serve clients across Colorado’s Front Range and beyond, including Denver, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Fort Collins, Westminster, Lakewood, and Aurora.