Atlanta Trucking Accident Attorney

Casey W. Stevens is an Experienced Atlanta Truck Accident Lawyer

There aren’t many words on the local news that are more chilling than ones stating a major accident involving a tractor-trailer has occurred. Most of these accidents happen on state highways and interstates, where semi trucks are more likely to travel.

Unfortunately, those Georgia roadways, like I-285, I-20, I-675, 1-85 and 1-75, allow vehicles to travel at a greater rate of speed than do smaller roadways. Considering the faster speed, and because of the great difference in size and weight between tractor-trailers and passenger vehicles, the impact between the two can sometimes be horrific. Injuries can include traumatic head/brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, serious internal injuries, broken bones, paralysis and wrongful death. Under-ride accidents, meaning those incidents where the car ends up under the eighteen-wheeler or semi truck, are often responsible for the traumatic injuries listed above.

But tractor-trailers aren’t the only type of commercial vehicles out there that can cause catastrophic injuries. Accidents with cement trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, Marta buses, motor coach buses, school buses and even landscape vehicles have also been known to result in more serious bodily harm.

Sometimes truck accidents are caused by the carelessness of the passenger vehicle driver. Not allowing enough space when merging or changing lanes is a big mistake. Tractor trailers and other commercial vehicles take longer to brake, and also are likely to tip over if they are forced to swerve. Other times, tractor trailer drivers are the negligent parties. Trucks changing lanes without a clear right of way can force drivers off of the roadway and down an embankment or into a guard rail. They might also force a passenger vehicle into on-coming traffic. Truck drivers are sometimes negligent of causing accidents when they do not slow down or pull over during bad weather or road conditions. When truck drivers are negligent, resulting in an accident, most times they walk away unharmed. The passenger vehicle victim is often not that lucky.

When is the Truck Driver Negligent?

Trucking accidents can occur for many different reasons and may involve one or more areas of negligence, also known as liability. When the commercial truck driver is at fault, he is considered to be liable for the victim’s vehicle repair and medical bills. This is so, even if the victim was a passenger in the commercial vehicle.

According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, Atlanta truck accidents have been caused by the following:

Driver fatigue: driving logs may reveal the driver operated tractor-trailer above the maximum amount of hours allowed or did not take a required break

• Mechanical failure: possible negligent inspection, maintenance, or repair.
• Unstable cargo/jackknifes: exceeding the weight limit or stacking unbalanced loads in the trailer.
• Driving under influence of alcohol or drugs: A driver is not allowed to operate a commercial truck or perform any “safety sensitive” functions within 4 hours of consuming alcohol or with a BAC of greater than 0.02 but less than 0.04.
• Driver error: blind spots, speeding, failure to yield, and following too closely without an adequate stopping distance can be disastrous to victims of commercial trucking accidents on the major highways of Georgia.

Have You Been Injured in a Georgia Commercial Truck Accident?

If you were involved in a truck accident in the Atlanta area, or anywhere in Georgia, it is vital that you have a knowledgeable and competent Atlanta trucking accident attorney advise you of your rights regarding recovery and compensation.

Free Consultations

Contact Casey W. Stevens Law: Alpharetta Personal Injury and Car Accident Lawyers today at 770-408-6364 for a free consultation.