Accidents involving trucks lead to serious injuries and fatalities. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,965 people died in trucking accidents in 2020. 71% were occupants of other vehicles. 

Different factors lead to trucking accidents, and one of them is the company’s negligence. Trucking companies have work models that endanger other road users, including how they pay drivers.

This guide discusses how payment systems can cause a trucking accident:

Pay per mile

The pay-per-mile basis is one of the primary payment systems truck companies use. Drivers are paid according to the miles they complete at the end of a particular period. However, this system can encourage drivers to speed or break other traffic laws to make more money.

Percentage of load

As the name suggests, with the percentage of load payment, the driver and the truck company may split the percentage of the profits from the load in an agreed-upon percentage. This system is mostly used when the company doesn’t have enough resources to move a shipment and, in turn, they get freelance drivers.

It’s dangerous because a driver may overload a truck. The more load they carry, the more money they make.

How can this be improved?

Trucking companies should consider using safe payment methods like a fixed salary or an hourly pay. However, since the two methods discussed above are common and, at times, preferred by drivers, companies can develop ways to avoid risky behaviors. 

For instance, they can increase the mileage rate. This way, a driver can still make a good income by covering fewer miles. Companies should also provide drivers with more benefits and frequently train them on safety measures to observe

The actions of truck companies cause a significant percentage of accidents. If you are involved in a trucking accident, get professional guidance to receive fair compensation.