Who doesn’t love a summer road trip? One of life’s true pleasures is getting out on the road to visit friends and family, head to the beach, or just get out of town for a while. We all know how important it is to drive safely, and we understand the risks involved in driving on the interstates and highways. However, we don’t often consider the increased danger of sharing the roads with large trucks and tractor-trailers.
This resource from the Department of Transportation contains a lot of valuable information. If you look at the maps, it’s interesting to note the heavy volume of truck usage in the Eastern states when compared to the rest of the country. The statistics regarding crashes through 2015 are even more sobering:
- 11.9% of fatal crashes across the nation involved at least one large truck or bus;
- 7.6% of non-fatal crashes across the nation involved at least one large truck or bus.
These statistics should be of special concern for Georgians and especially those who reside in the Atlanta metro area, given the high number of interstate highways in the area. In this post, we’d like to cover some things you need to think about if you are or have been involved in a truck accident.
Trucks Are More Dangerous
Truck accidents often result in injuries that are more serious than the typical car accident. Simply put, this is due to the size and weight of the truck, especially once you consider the freight the truck may be carrying. Trucks also require a longer distance to stop and are more difficult to maneuver in order to avoid an accident.
To add to the dangers of the vehicle itself, drivers travel thousands of miles per week and are often under a lot of pressure to meet delivery deadlines. As a result, they may not be giving their full attention to the road and traffic, and may even be drowsy or falling asleep. Fatigue is a serious concern for roadway safety.
The Trucking Company’s Duty to the Public
Just like any other motorist, truck drivers owe other drivers a duty of care. In other words, truck drivers, just like you and me, are supposed to drive safely. However, unlike private motorists, trucking companies are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. These regulations require the trucking companies to take numerous steps to ensure that their drivers and trucks are operating safely on our roadways. In the event of a crash, they may be held liable for your injuries and other damages if you can prove that their failure to comply with these regulations caused the accident.
Insurance and Corporate Red Tape
If you are injured in an accident with a truck, you need to understand that you will be up against the trucking company and its insurance company. It’s highly likely they will have a lawyer representing their interests, and his or her job will be to reduce the company and the insurer’s “exposure” – the amount of money they have to pay you for your injuries. As a result, they are not likely to simply accept liability, and much of the evidence that you want or need for your case may require a court order.
Call an Atlanta Metro Area Truck Accident Lawyer Today
Truck accidents are serious and require an attorney who has experience in handling truck accident cases. The attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been representing accident victims since 1992, including people injured in truck accidents. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident and would like a free consultation, contact us today – call us at 888-474-9616 or send us an email via our contact page.