According to the Georgia State Patrol, two truck drivers are being held accountable for the fatal trucking accidents they caused in Dade County this year. One of these accidents was particularly reckless. Gustavo Pagan Rodriguez was driving his semi-truck when he crossed a median and directly into the path of Ralph Elam. For now, the accident is still under investigation, but sources say that police believe that Rodriguez was high on drugs at the time of the crash.
Since that accident, Dade County Sheriff Ray Cross said that there have been at least five other accidents on that same 5 to 10 mile stretch. One of those crashes was another devastating trucking accident. Stephen Farmer is facing charges of second degree homicide by vehicle and failure to yield after he tried to pull onto the highway from the side of the road. When Farmer tried to merge back onto the interstate, another driver struck the rear of his trailer, killing the driver instantly.
Truck Drivers Negligence
Truck drivers have a responsibility to drive safely and to do everything in their power to avoid dangerous and deadly accidents from occurring. When they fail to do so, they can be held accountable for the accident and the injuries they have caused. Most truck drivers follow the federal rules and regulations and continue to drive safely. However, some do not. These negligent truck drivers may speed, drive recklessly, or drive fatigued in order to make their deliveries on time. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 88% of all trucking accidents were the result of a truck driver’s behavior or actions.
Truck driver negligence can occur in many ways, including:
- Speeding
- Driving too fast for road or weather conditions
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Tailgating
- Illegal driving maneuvers
- Improper inspection of vehicles
- Not securing load properly or overloading vehicle
- Distracted driving
- Falsifying driving logs
- Driving fatigued
- Exceeding the permitted hours of driving
Trucking Accidents Require Immediate Legal Representation
From the moment you are injured, the clock starts ticking. The trucking company will have their insurance investigators and lawyers on the scene as quickly as possible. They will be gathering evidence needed to help their case. Sometimes, valuable evidence is even lost or destroyed during this critical time. An experienced trucking accident lawyer will be able to deal with the insurance company directly and ensure that your rights are protected. Your lawyer will consult with crash reconstruction experts, medical personnel, and police officials to build a solid case that is designed to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Time is of the essence, however. In the state of Georgia, trucking accident victims only have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. If you miss this deadline, you could be prevented from being able to secure the money you need to pay for your injuries and for the damages you suffered.
Have You Been Injured in a Trucking Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a trucking accident in Atlanta, DeKalb County, Dade County or anywhere in the state of Georgia, we can help. At Schnipper Law, P.C., our Atlanta trucking accident attorneys know that you need money now to pay for medical expenses, lost wages, and decreased quality of life. That’s why we work tirelessly to help our clients obtain maximum compensation quickly. Call Schnipper Law P.C., at (404) 545-5845 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you recover the money you need to put your life back together after a serious accident.
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