Truck accidents on North Georgia Roads

Truck accidents can be especially stressful, given the increased risk of injury or even death for passenger vehicle occupants in accidents with trucks. If you have been in an accident with a truck driver in North Georgia, reaching out to a local Forsyth County truck accident attorney to assist with your case helps ensure the best possible outcome and highest possible compensation. Read on to learn how truck accidents happen, why they are so common, and how a truck accident attorney can help with your claim.

Recent Truck Collision in Franklin County

Southbound I-85 was shut down over the summer due to a collision between a large box truck and an even larger semi-truck. The box truck veered off the road and hit the semi-trailer, which was pulled over on the shoulder. The incident resulted in one death and injuries to two people. This is only one example of the many truck crashes that happen in the North Georgia area.

Truck Drivers are Often Overworked and Fatigued

Getting into an accident with a large truck or bus is not meant to happen, given the many safety regulations and requirements that professional drivers must follow. However, when overworked truckers get tired, they can lose focus and violate the rules of the road.

When fatigue sets in, truck drivers are less able to respond to conditions on the road, less capable of making decisions, and are more likely to be in crashes. A lack of rest decreases concentration and leads to distracted driving, which can make a truck driver liable for your damages in the accident.

Truck Drivers Can Make Other Poor Decisions or Mistakes

Truckers are alone in their cabs for extended periods of time, and this can lead them to make decisions that go against safety regulations. Perhaps a truck driver sends a quick text or tries to watch a video on their social media account. This split-second decision can lead to a lifetime of pain and suffering to crash victims.

Truck drivers must comply not only with local traffic laws, but also with many federal motor carrier regulations. It can be all too easy to cut corners and violate a provision of the law, whether that entails:

  • Speeding
  • Driving past the hours of service restrictions
  • Engaging in distracted driving
  • Failing to inspect the truck
  • Improper cargo loading
  • Improper lane changes
  • Many other federal regulations depending on whether the commercial vehicle weighs over 10,001 pounds or over 26,001 pounds

Any of these can result in serious accidents and injuries to others in North Georgia.

Contact a Georgia Truck Accident Attorney about Your Options

While truck drivers are not always to blame for truck accidents, driver error is a common cause. When a driver is negligent, the trucking company that employs the driver can also be liable. This makes truck accident claims complicated, and you want a truck crash lawyer who knows how to protect your rights during the injury claim process.

Contact the legal team of Banks, Stubbs, and McFarland to schedule a consultation to discuss your case now.