Posted on Saturday, February 25th, 2017 at 4:57 pm
Any auto accident can cause serious or even fatal injury, but accidents involving big-rig trucks tend to be some of the most catastrophic. These vehicles are typically more than 5 times the size of even the largest SUVs, and can weigh as much as 80,000 pounds. Although negligent drivers of passenger cars are responsible for some of these accidents, many are the result of negligence on the part of the truck driver.
If you or a loved one has suffered serious injury in a crash, call our experienced Alpharetta truck accident attorney today at (404) 800-6545.
Drug & Alcohol Use
A 2007 study from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration found that drug use was, far and away, the leading cause of trucking accidents. While illegal drug use certainly comes to mind, truck drivers are also often affected by prescription and even over-the-counter medications.
If you were injured by a truck driver under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may have grounds to pursue punitive damages, in addition to the standard compensatory damages. These are designed to punish the liable parties for their negligent and illicit behavior.
Failure To Follow Traffic Laws
Most of us are guilty of speeding every now and then, but speeding behind the wheel of an 80,000 pound tractor-trailer can pose a major threat to others on the road. These trucks are notoriously slow to stop at legal speeds, and their ability to stop quickly is reduced with every mile per hour they gain. Speeding also reduces the amount of time drivers have to react, and can lead to more catastrophic damage when these trucks crash.
However, speeding isn’t the only traffic law truck drivers break – illegal turns, failing to use a turn signal, and even texting while driving leads to many serious truck accidents every year.
Driver Fatigue
For many years, driver fatigue was thought to be the leading cause of trucking accidents. While the FMCSA study disproved this theory, tired drivers are still a major cause of truck crashes. Truck drivers are held to extremely specific restrictions on the amount of hours they can drive in a certain period, and violating these restrictions can lead to serious penalties.
Despite this, some trucking companies push their drivers, holding them to tight or nearly impossible-to-meet schedules. In these cases, you may have a claim not only against the driver who caused your injuries, but also the trucking company for encouraging negligent and illegal behavior.
Our Alpharetta truck accident lawyer can help you recover compensation for the injuries you’ve suffered. Call today for your free initial consultation.
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