Commercial truck accidents are a serious public safety hazard on our roadways. According to data from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 23,421 semi-truck accidents reported in 2021 alone. Large trucks are disproportionately likely to be involved in collisions that result in serious injuries or fatalities. These accidents happen for a wide variety of different reasons. Every serious big rig crash should be carefully investigated to determine exactly what went wrong. In this article, our Georgia truck accident lawyers highlight the most common causes of collisions.
The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents in Georgia
Undertrained Drivers
A fully loaded tractor trailer is approximately 72 feet long and can weigh up to 80,000 pounds. It takes skill and training to operate a large commercial truck safely. Undertrained truckers may be unprepared for the challenges they face. The lack of training can lead to serious errors in judgment and technique—and that can turn relatively minor mishaps into catastrophic accidents. Truck companies need to ensure that all of their drivers have a CDL in good standing and are well-trained.
Speeding
Speeding is dangerous—especially so for large commercial trucks. When a trucker exceeds the speed limit, he or she is taking a high-stakes gamble that puts innocent people at risk. Truck drivers who exceed speed limits are not only more likely to be involved in a crash, they are more likely to end up in a catastrophic or deadly collision. Speeding is negligence.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is another one of the leading causes of commercial truck accidents in Georgia. A quick glance at a text message or a brief call can divert attention long enough to cause terrible damage. On Georgia’s often busy highways, every second counts. A trucker needs to ensure that his or her full attention is on the road at all times. Even momentary lapses are dangerous.
Fatigued Driving
Truckers often spend long hours on the road. Too much time behind the wheel can be hazardous. Indeed, fatigued driving is a silent peril on the roads of Georgia. Unfortunately, long hauls and demanding schedules push truck drivers to their limits. The weary eyes of a fatigued driver struggle to stay focused—making it difficult to operate such a large vehicle in a safe manner. There are federal Hour of Service (HOS) limitations in place to address the risk posed by fatigued driving.
Unsafe Lane Changes
Semi-trucks have large blind spots. Those blind spots can make lane changes inherently more dangerous. Truck drivers are responsible for safely managing their blind spots. They must make sure that the road is clear before they change lanes. Unfortunately, devastating crashes can happen as a consequence of unsafe lane changes on Georgia highways.
Overloaded Trailers
The company (or companies) responsible for loading a semi-truck’s trailer must ensure that it is done in a safe manner. Trucks cannot be overloaded. All cargo must be well-secured. An overloaded trailer is a catastrophe waiting to happen. In Georgia, trucks burdened beyond their limits due to poorly loaded trailers are not just violating safety regulations—they are increasing the risk of a bad crash. Excessive weight can lead to tire blowouts, brake failures, loss of control, and other issues.
Poor Truck Maintenance
A truck should not be on the road at all in Georgia unless proper maintenance has been performed. Truck companies and individual truck drivers have a duty to ensure that vehicles are regularly inspected and are repaired as necessary. Profits should never be allowed to come before people. Cutting the corners on vehicle maintenance sets the stage for mechanical failures—and those types of problems can have devastating consequences. Even a single round of skipped maintenance checks is a dice roll with fate on busy highways.
Deadline to Take Action: Truck Accident Statute of Limitations
There is a strict deadline to take legal action in a truck accident claim. Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33), there is a two-year statute of limitations from truck accident injury cases. If your claim is not initiated within two years of a crash, you may not be able to recover compensation at all. Be proactive: Consult with a Georgia truck accident lawyer as soon as possible after a wreck.
You Need Full and Fair Compensation After a Truck Accident
A truck accident can leave you with serious injuries, lost paychecks, stacks of medical bills, and terrible pain and suffering. Following a bad crash, it is imperative that you are able to secure the maximum financial support. In Georgia, truck accident victims can seek compensation for economic losses and non-economic damages. You may be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Property loss, including vehicle damage;
- Emergency medical treatment;
- Hospital bills and other health care costs;
- Physical therapy and rehabilitative care;
- Loss of wages and loss of future earning power;
- Pain and suffering;
- Long-term disability; and
- Wrongful death of a family member.
How Our Georgia Truck Accident Attorneys Can Help
Georgia truck accident lawsuits are complex legal cases. Sadly, truck accident victims cannot rely on truck companies or insurance companies to look out for their best interests. At Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, we are here to help injured victims get justice. With a proven history of verdicts and settlements, our firm has recovered millions of dollars in compensation for injured victims in Georgia. An initial consultation with our Georgia truck accident attorney is free and completely confidential.
Schedule Your Free Consultation With Georgia Truck Accident Lawyer Today
At Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, PC, our Georgia tractor trailer crash attorneys are always ready to go the extra mile for victims and their family members. If you or a loved one was hurt in any type of eighteen wheeler crash, we are here as a resource. Give us a call now or contact us online for your free, fully private initial case review. We fight for the rights of truck accident victims in Atlanta, Augusta, and throughout the wider region in Georgia.