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Truck Accident Statistics

Commercial trucks, on average, weigh 25 times more than passenger vehicles. They also take between 20 and 40 percent longer to reach a complete stop – and those percentages vary in bad weather. This leaves passenger vehicles vulnerable to negligent and reckless truck drivers. Those injured in dangerous accidents may contact a Atlanta truck accident lawyer for assistance in filing a personal injury lawsuit.

In 2016 alone, nearly 4,000 people died in truck accidents. Approximately 17 percent of these deaths were truck occupants while 66 percent were occupants of other cars. Another 16 percent were pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Because passengers in smaller vehicles face a greater risk than passengers in commercial trucks, drivers should be cautious and wary at all times. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a commercial truck accident caused by a careless driver, you are entitled to compensation awarded though a personal injury lawsuit. To obtain this compensation, you’ll need to contact an experienced Atlanta truck accident attorney for assistance and representation. Your attorney will assist in gathering witnesses, communicating with insurance companies, and obtaining police reports.

At Schnipper Law, our team is devoted to your health and well-being. We have years of experience in personal injury law – and a proven record of success. For more information, call our office at 404-545-5845.

Causes of Truck Accidents

Truck accidents are influenced by many factors, including inclement weather and poor roadway conditions. The most common causes of commercial truck accidents include:

• Inadequately Trained Drivers – A driver from Arizona may not be experienced driving in winter conditions. The company responsible for hiring this driver should offer training that covers intense weather. Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen, causing drivers to hydroplane, jackknife, or skid on the roadway.
• Improper Loading Techniques – The federal government has outlined industry-specific rules for loading teams, regulating the size, shape, weight, length, width, and height of cargo. When companies, drivers, and loading teams refuse to follow these rules, dangerous accidents can happen.
• Distracted or Rule-Breaking Drivers – Like cargo, the government has industry-specific rules for drivers, including mandatory rest. When drivers skirt the rules to shorten travel time, they find themselves exhausted behind the wheel.
• Poor Maintenance – Commercial trucks travel thousands of miles on a weekly basis. Maintenance crews are responsible for maintaining the fleet. When they fail to properly maintain travel-weary trucks, a cracked windshield or worn brake pad can lead to catastrophic accidents.
• Faulty Equipment – Sometimes, maintenance teams do everything right. Still, manufacturers may sell faulty parts. When a bad part leads to a dangerous accident, manufacturers can (and should) be held accountable for injuries incurred by truck drivers and passengers in other vehicles.

A number of parties may be held responsible for a commercial truck accident, including drivers, truck owners, maintenance teams, manufacturers, and those who employ and train drivers. Your Atlanta truck accident attorney can help you determine who to name as a defendant in your personal injury lawsuit. You may choose to name more than one party, depending on the cause of your accident.

Examples of Commercial Vehicles

Each commercial truck presents unique risks. The most common trucks in the United States include:

• Work Trucks – These vehicles pose a threat to those driving or walking in close proximity. You may find them in residential neighborhoods. They carry gravel, debris, garbage, and other dry material.
• Tanker Trucks – These commercial trucks carry liquid or gas from one part of the country to another. They can be recognized by their cylindrical shape. Because the cargo is often flammable, tanker trucks can be incredibly dangerous after a crash.
• Tractor-Trailers (Big Rigs, Semi-Trucks, or 18-Wheelers) – As perhaps the most common commercial truck, tractor-trailers carry solid cargo across the country. They have a high center of gravity, extended blind spots, and often distracted drivers.
• Flatbed Trucks – These trucks have a long, open trailer designed to accommodate uniquely shaped cargo. Accidents involving flatbed trucks are often seen in television shows and movies, when logs, pipes, or other contents fly through the windshield of a passenger vehicle.

Contact an Experienced Truck Accident Lawyer for Assistance

In the state of Georgia, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. Once this deadline passes, you’ll never be able to receive compensation for your injuries.

No one anticipates being injured in a commercial truck accident. If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in such an accident, contact our experienced Atlanta truck accident attorney at Schnipper Law by calling 404-545-5845. Our team will fight tooth and nail for the compensation you deserve.