Alarming Spike in Fatal Truck Crashes Tied to Federal Policy Shift

Legal Help for Families Harmed by Trucking Accidents Involving Unqualified or Non-English-Speaking Commercial Drivers

Fatal truck accidents across the United States have seen a sharp increase since 2016, the same year the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) instructed safety inspectors to stop suspending commercial drivers for failing to meet English language requirements. That guidance has triggered serious safety concerns from across the transportation industry. Despite the federal rule still mandating that commercial drivers be able to converse in English, read highway signs, and respond to official inquiries, enforcement of this rule was effectively halted.

Since that memo, fatal large-truck crashes have surged from roughly 4,500 in 2016 to nearly 5,900 by 2022, according to data from the National Safety Council. Many industry insiders and roadway safety advocates believe the rise is directly connected to the increase in drivers who cannot read signs, communicate with dispatch or emergency personnel, or understand hazardous road conditions—particularly in mountainous, rural, or winter-prone states like Wyoming.

Our national civil litigation firm is actively reviewing serious injury and wrongful death cases involving trucking collisions where language barriers, improper CDL issuance, or unqualified drivers may have played a role. If you or your loved one was injured or killed in a trucking accident, legal action may help your family recover compensation and demand accountability.

The Link Between English Language Skills and Road Safety

The FMCSA’s 2016 directive not to penalize drivers for English-language deficiencies represents a dramatic shift from prior safety protocols. This change came despite longstanding federal rules stating that commercial drivers must be able to understand traffic signs, respond to official questions, and communicate effectively with the public and authorities, all in English.

That requirement isn’t arbitrary. It is rooted in real safety concerns. Truck drivers who cannot read detour signs, speed limits, hazardous material warnings, or weather alerts are at increased risk of causing serious or fatal crashes. Likewise, an inability to understand police or first responder instructions in emergencies can delay critical responses and worsen outcomes.

Despite this, truck drivers with limited or no English fluency are now operating large commercial vehicles on major highways. This includes drivers holding foreign CDLs, or non-domicile CDLs issued in states known for less stringent oversight. Many of these drivers are placed behind the wheel by small, lightly regulated carriers taking advantage of cheap labor and minimal enforcement.

When drivers cannot read road signs or communicate with others in emergency situations, every mile they drive becomes a potential danger zone for themselves and everyone else on the road.

Wyoming: A Case Study in the Dangers of Lax Enforcement

Nowhere are the dangers of this policy shift more evident than in Wyoming. As of 2022, the state had the highest per capita rate of fatal truck crashes in the country—5.1 deaths per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 1.8. Wyoming’s combination of mountainous terrain, long stretches of interstate highway, and harsh winter conditions makes it one of the most demanding environments for commercial drivers.

Trucking professionals and law enforcement officers alike report daily encounters with drivers who cannot communicate in English or who are ill-equipped for winter driving. From improperly navigating mountain grades to not knowing how to install snow chains, these deficiencies are more than minor—they are life-threatening.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol documented more than 400 incidents in a single year where drivers were cited for non-English proficiency. However, due to the FMCSA’s directive, officers cannot suspend licenses for this violation. This policy leaves dangerous gaps in oversight and creates conditions where fatal crashes are more likely to occur.

Trucking fatalities in Wyoming—and across the country—are not merely statistical trends. They represent lost lives and grieving families. The law may allow victims and their families to hold accountable those responsible for negligent driver hiring, training, and oversight.

Foreign CDL Loopholes and Unregulated Trucking Operations

A significant part of the trucking industry’s current crisis stems from the rise in non-domicile CDLs and unvetted foreign commercial licenses. Many truckers now operating in the U.S. come from countries with vastly different road standards, climates, and driving practices. In some cases, drivers enter the U.S. with little understanding of snow conditions, high-altitude braking procedures, or even English-language signage.

Some small carriers and pop-up trucking businesses are exploiting these loopholes to fill trucks with low-wage drivers. These operations often evade scrutiny by operating out of regulatory lenient states and bypassing safety protocols observed by larger carriers. Unlike reputable firms that invest in proper training, insurance, and oversight, these outfits cut corners to boost profit.

Unfortunately, it’s often innocent motorists and pedestrians who pay the price. When drivers lack the training, qualifications, or language skills necessary for the roads they’re traveling, accidents become more likely—and more deadly.

Tragically, enforcement of language requirements has become so lax that some drivers who cannot read basic road signs are being cleared to drive across high-risk interstate corridors like I-80. In these cases, legal claims may be warranted against employers, dispatchers, or licensing authorities who failed to prevent unqualified drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Legal Rights After a Fatal or Serious Trucking Accident

Federal trucking laws require that carriers and drivers meet specific standards to ensure safety. When a trucking company fails to properly vet or train its drivers—or knowingly allows drivers who cannot meet English-language or safety standards to operate vehicles—it can be held liable for resulting injuries and fatalities.

If you or a loved one was harmed in a crash involving a commercial truck, you may be entitled to damages for:

• Hospital and medical costs
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost income or earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death
• Punitive damages in cases of gross negligence

In fatal crashes where the driver’s language barrier, improper licensing, or lack of experience played a role, lawsuits can also expose systemic failures in hiring, training, or CDL regulation. Investigating these cases requires knowledge of federal transportation law and access to key records, such as driver qualification files, accident reports, and regulatory violations.

Our national law firm has the experience, resources, and determination to take on large trucking companies and third-party brokers when negligence contributes to tragedy.

Why These Lawsuits Matter

Pursuing legal action after a deadly truck crash isn’t just about recovering compensation. It’s about making the roads safer. When carriers face financial consequences for placing unqualified drivers on the road, they’re more likely to improve hiring standards and safety training. Lawsuits can also shine a spotlight on dangerous gaps in federal enforcement and pressure regulators to reinstate necessary safeguards.

Families who have lost loved ones or suffered life-altering injuries deserve a voice—and a chance at justice. Filing a claim helps ensure that what happened to your family doesn’t happen to someone else.

Contact Parker Waichman LLP For a Free Case Review

If you or someone you love was seriously injured or killed in a truck crash involving an unqualified or non-English-speaking commercial driver, you may have the right to pursue legal compensation. These accidents are often preventable, and negligent companies must be held accountable.

Parker Waichman LLP is accepting cases nationwide involving fatal or catastrophic trucking accidents linked to language barriers, improper CDL issuance, or regulatory violations. We’re ready to investigate your claim, explain your legal options, and fight for the justice your family deserves.

Call 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529) now for a free, confidential consultation. Regardless of your location or where your injury occurred, our nationwide product injury law firm is ready to assist you.