(Source: Premium Times)

Commercial trucks are enormous, and they tend to travel at very high speeds. Even the sturdiest car, pickup truck, or SUV is no match for the sheer size and force of a speeding 18-wheeler.

An October 2018 Premium Times reports that “Fourteen people have been crushed to death by a truck on Ilesha – Akure expressway”. The eyewitness said “The brakes of the truck failed so it ran into other vehicles, claiming the lives of fourteen people. The driver of the vehicle could not be located after the accident”. Another witness told the media that “the driver disappeared immediately the accident happened. While people were trying to save lives of victim”.

 

What Causes Most Georgia Trucking Accidents?

Most commercial truck crashes are caused by issues that are more specific to the trucking industry:

• Drowsy driving – Trucking companies assign grueling schedules to their drivers. The state and federal governments have cracked down on that, regulating the amount of time that drivers can spend behind the wheel of a truck before getting some shuteye. But trucking companies frequently violate those laws. We’ll investigate to find out if that happened in your csae. Moreover, even drivers who are technically in compliance with the rules may be too sleepy or overworked to driver safely.
• Drugged driving – Recent federal studies presented shocking evidence that some form of drugged driving responsible for an overwhelming number of the commercial trucking accidents in this country. Often, these are legal prescription or over-the -counter medications that affect driver’s judgement or energy. Even if the drugs are legal, driving under those conditions can constitute negligence.
• Dangerous truck conditions – Trucking companies frequently overload their trucks or fail to make the necessary investments in properly maintaining their fleets.

• Driver Inexperience / Bad Records – While truck drivers must meet special licensing requirements, many companies fail to thoroughly screen the drivers who they hire. Accordingly, inexperienced or unlicensed drivers sometimes end up in these jobs. Others have dangerous driving records or criminal history. Sometimes, even good drivers get into trouble when they travel unfamiliar routes later at night and on little sleep.

 

Victims of Trucking Accidents: What Are Some Legal Options?

If you or your relative has suffered injury or death in a trucking accident, you may be entitled to a large amount of financial compensation (depending on the circumstances of the crash and the nature of the injuries). Many victims are surprised to discover that the law entitles them to much more money than they expected.

T. Madden & Associates, P.C. is an aggressive Georgia personal injury law firm serving the metro communities of Atlanta and Augusta, with additional services available throughout The Peach State. Our experienced Georgia trucking accident attorneys are prepared to fight for the compensation that you deserve. We’ve represented many victims and families just like you. We’ve fought corporate giants in those cases – including some of the biggest corporations and insurance companies in the world – and we’ve frequently been successful in producing a financially advantageous outcome for the people whom we represent. Our Augusta truck accident attorneys and Jonesboro truck accident lawyers are there for you – we serve all of Georgia. Let us fight for you.