Thousands of serious accidents occur on our highways every year involving commercial trucks. Unfortunately, the large size and weight of these vehicles make them particularly dangerous to other drivers sharing the road with them. Despite the strict regulations and safety-enhancing technological advancements, these accidents result in devastating and tragic consequences for some and cost millions of dollars in property damage.
If you’ve been in an accident with a commercial vehicle in Atlanta, you need to hire an injury and accident lawyer to ensure that your rights are protected. At the CEO lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, our team of dedicated truck accident lawyers have extensive experience handling complex litigation against large trucking companies and insurance providers and will fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve. We are happy to provide you with a free case evaluation. Call us at (470) 323-8779 or write to us online through our website.
What Causes Commercial Truck Accidents in Atlanta?
A large commercial truck, weighing up to 80,000 pounds, might not seem as if it could pose risks to others on the roadways, but when driven by an inexperienced operator or a driver with little regard for the rules of the road or other vehicles, they can represent a significant threat to all forms of drivers and passengers as they traverse roadways. Accidents can happen even if you take every precaution. Following are some of the causes behind commercial truck accidents in Atlanta:
Fatigue
Truck drivers are paid by the load, so there is tremendous pressure to make deliveries on time. To do that, they may drive to exhaustion, leading to drowsiness and inattention. Time constraints can also lead drivers to skip necessary rest periods and cause a fatal collision.
Speeding
One of the most serious causes of truck accidents is speeding – and it is easy to see how this happens. The sheer size of a truck makes it difficult to control at high speed or offer greater momentum per mile, causing a crash more likely to be fatal. Furthermore, many trucks are driven by drivers who are incentivized to deliver as many loads as possible within their work period or because they are trying to save fuel. This can also spur reckless driving and contribute to truck accidents and death rates.
Improper Training
Commercial truck driving is a specialized job requiring specific skills and knowledge. Unfortunately, not all companies properly train their truck drivers before putting them on the road. Driver safety increases when they are adequately educated and trained regarding what to expect on the road ahead — and how to handle any situations that arise.
Road Rage
Like any other driver, a trucker can be prone to road rage caused by stress, anger, or frustration with other motorists on the road. A large truck driven by an angry driver poses a severe risk of injury and death.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of road accidents today. When you are distracted while driving, you can easily crash into another vehicle or an object on the road, and this could lead to an accident. Some common forms of distracted driving include texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, or even changing songs in your playlist.
Intoxication
Driving under the influence has always been a huge and dangerous problem worldwide. The commercial trucking industry is, unfortunately, no exception. Drunken driving can cause severe accidents on highways and damage to property, and loss of lives. The problem is only exacerbated by many truckers on the roads. Driving such mobile machines is much more complex than driving cars.
Inclement Weather
Inclement weather can cause truck accidents in several ways. The most obvious is that inclement weather reduces visibility, making it hard to see other vehicles and signs on the road. Truck drivers must drive with extreme caution in inclement weather, especially in heavy rain or snowstorms, as road conditions become slippery and slick.
Equipment Failure
If truck equipment fails, such as brakes and tires, this can lead to an accident. Tires are particularly important as they affect the safety and handling of a commercial motor vehicle during inclement weather or periods of overloading.
Measures to Take After a Commercial Truck Crash in Atlanta
If you are involved in a commercial truck accident, you will want to protect yourself and your rights. Take these steps after an accident:
- Wait for medical help.
- Contact law enforcement (911) and report the accident to them as soon as possible following the crash and make sure you have a copy of their report when it is completed.
- Do not speak with anyone besides the police about the accident or your injuries.
- Take pictures of the damage to both vehicles, including close-up shots of skid marks, dents, and other damage that the collision may have caused.
- Get contact information from all people involved in the accident, including their names, phone numbers, license plate numbers, insurance information, and addresses. This is especially important if there were any witnesses to the accident who might be able to corroborate your version of events later on.
Our Truck Accident Attorneys at CEO Lawyer can Help Protect Your Rights
The trucks on Georgia roads are constantly moving goods across the state and the nation. However, the large size and weight of these vehicles make them inherently dangerous. Truck drivers who are distracted or fatigued and do not follow federal regulations can cause devastating accidents that leave victims with life-changing injuries. Even when drivers exercise caution, negligent truck owners sometimes restrict truck maintenance schedules to save money, resulting in poor working conditions that may lead to mechanical failures.
At the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm, we know how devastating truck accidents can be to you and your family. Our Atlanta truck accident lawyers are here when you need us most. We will investigate the crash and determine if the driver, trucking company, or manufacturer of the vehicle may be liable for your injuries.
While compensation for your injuries cannot undo what happened, it can ease some of the financial burden caused by medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage, allowing you to focus on fully recovering from your injuries. We offer free initial consultations where we review the facts of your case and discuss your legal options with you before you decide to hire us as your attorneys. Call us now at (470) 323-8779 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation.
