Practice Areas

Georgia Trucking Accident Attorneys

Trucking Accidents

Being hit by a tractor trailer is never minor. The size and weight of these trucks means that an accident will often lead to life-threatening or even fatal injuries. The drivers of these vehicles and the companies they drive for are held to a higher standard than your every-day driver. You deserve to hire the best Georgia trucking accident attorneys to help you and your family.

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Common Causes Of Trucking Accidents

Trucking accidents are related to three areas that are all under the control of the trucking company. The first is their drivers, the second is their trucks, the third is their trailers.

Causes of trucking accidents related to drivers include:

  • Tired or fatigued drivers,
  • Drunk drivers, and
  • Inexperienced drivers.

Federal law restricts the number of hours a trucker can drive in a 24-hour period and prevents truckers from operating their vehicles beyond a specific number during the course of the week. When trucking companies fail to meet these regulations, their drivers can fall asleep at the wheel. When that happens, the chances of a fatality or significant injury are very high.

Trucks That Are Not Road-Worthy

In addition to ensure their drivers are fit to drive, trucking companies are required to perform diagnostics on their trucks before they leave the yard. Truckers are required to inspect their trucks at the end of every 24-hour period. This includes, but is not limited to, their tires.

When you hear about a major trucking accident, one of the most common causes is a tire failure. While this is sometimes the fault of the tire manufacturer, more often than not there was a failure to inspect and maintain the tires beforehand. When a truck is traveling at high speed and the tire blows out, the driver will lose control of the vehicle and anything can happen from there.

Improperly Loaded Trucks

Another major cause of trucking accidents is trucks that have not been properly loaded. In some cases, the trucks have been overloaded resulting in tire failure or an inability to stop while in other cases, the cargo has been unevenly distributed. Cargo must be evenly loaded on both sides of the truck to prevent the truck from teetering on turns. A third possibility is that the cargo is not secured within the truck. Trucks can lose cargo or the cargo can become unevenly distributed even if it was loaded properly.

Truck Accident Statistics

  • According to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, almost two-thirds of all fatal crashes involving large trucks occurred on rural roads, and 25 percent occurred on rural or urban Interstate highways.
  • Thirty-four percent of all fatal crashes, 22 percent of all injury crashes, and 19 percent of all property damage only crashes involving large trucks occurred at night (6:00 pm to 6:00 am).
  • The vast majority of fatal crashes (84 percent) and nonfatal crashes (89 percent) involving large trucks occurred on weekdays (Monday through Friday).
  • Collision with a vehicle in transport was the first harmful event (the first event during a crash that resulted in injury or property damage) in 73 percent of fatal crashes involving large trucks, 83 percent of injury crashes involving large trucks, and 75 percent of property damage only crashes involving large trucks.
  • Rollover was the first harmful event in 5 percent of all fatal crashes involving large trucks and 2 percent of all nonfatal crashes involving large trucks.
  • 28 percent of work zone fatal crashes and 11 percent of work zone injury crashes involved at least one large truck.
  • There were 13.5 fatal large truck crashes per million people in the United States in 2018, a 27-percent increase from 2010.

Liability Insurance For Trucking Accidents

Most trucking companies have large insurance policies that cover their drivers, trucks and trailers.

Commercial vehicles under 10,001 pounds that carry non-hazardous freight must have a minimum of $300,000 in insurance coverage. Commercial vehicles over 10,001 pounds that carry non-hazardous freight must have a minimum of $750,000 in insurance coverage. Commercial vehicles moving oil for-hire or by private carriers must have a minimum of $1,000,000 in insurance coverage. While commercial vehicles carrying hazardous material must have a minimum of $5,000,000 in insurance coverage.

Talk To Experienced Georgia Trucking Accident Attorneys Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, the experienced trucking accident attorneys at Georgia Trial Attorneys will file your claim, handle your lawsuit and do what it takes to ensure that you are justly compensated for your loss. Call us today at 678-667-8965 to set up a free consultation.

Call Our Experienced Lawyers at Georgia Trial Attorneys Today

When you hire Georgia Trial Attorneys for your car accident case, you will receive completely personalized representation and care. Our expert team of trial attorneys has compassion along with unbridled advocacy. We will always promptly communicate with you and are happy to answer any and all questions that arise during the claims or litigation process - from start to finish. If you live in Atlanta, Norcross, or anywhere in the state of Georgia and are looking for the best car accident attorney, call (678) 667-8965 to schedule your free consultation today!