Countless commercial trucks transport goods across Georgia’s highways and interstates daily. While these vehicles are essential for the economy, their sheer size and weight mean that truck crashes can be devastating. Understanding the common causes of truck accidents in Georgia is crucial for prevention and seeking justice after an accident.
If you have been hurt in a truck crash in Alpharetta or anywhere in Georgia, an experienced truck accident attorney from Horst Shewmaker can fight for the compensation you deserve.
Common Truck Crash Causes in Georgia
Truck accidents in Georgia are a serious issue, and they can change lives in an instant. Understanding what causes these crashes and who can be held responsible is an important first step for victims and their families.
Driver Fatigue
One of the leading causes of truck accidents is driver fatigue. Truck drivers often spend long hours on the road, sometimes driving overnight to meet delivery schedules. While federal regulations limit how long truck drivers can be behind the wheel without a break, not all companies or drivers follow these rules.
When drivers don’t get enough rest, their ability to focus and react quickly to changes in traffic is severely reduced. Fatigued drivers are more likely to make errors, drift out of their lanes, or even fall asleep at the wheel.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a problem for all drivers, but it’s especially dangerous when it involves a large truck. A truck driver who looks at their phone, adjusts the radio, eats, or does anything else that takes their attention off the road can cause a serious crash.
Because trucks are so large and heavy, even a brief moment of distraction can have catastrophic consequences. In Georgia, using a handheld phone while driving is illegal, but distracted driving still happens far too often.
Speeding
Speeding is another major cause of truck accidents. Trucks take significantly longer to stop than passenger cars due to their size and weight. When a truck driver is going too fast, it’s much harder for them to slow down or stop in time to avoid a collision.
Speeding also makes it more difficult for drivers to control their vehicles, especially when navigating curves or driving in adverse weather conditions. Despite these dangers, some drivers speed because they’re under pressure to deliver their loads on time.
Reckless Driving
Reckless driving behaviors like aggressive lane changes, tailgating, and ignoring traffic signals can be extremely dangerous for truck drivers. When a truck driver engages in reckless driving, they put everyone else on the road at risk. Because trucks have large blind spots and limited maneuverability, it’s much harder to correct a reckless driving mistake. In Georgia, reckless driving is a serious offense, but unfortunately, it still happens.
Driving Under the Influence
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is another serious cause of truck accidents. It’s illegal for any driver to operate a vehicle while impaired, and the rules are even stricter for commercial truck drivers. Driving under the influence slows reaction times and affects judgment, making it much more likely that a crash will happen. Sadly, some truck drivers still choose to get behind the wheel when they’re not sober.
Improper Cargo Loading
Improperly loaded cargo can cause serious accidents. Trucks carry heavy loads, and if the cargo isn’t balanced correctly or secured properly, it can shift while the truck is moving. This can cause the driver to lose control, tip over, or jackknife. Trucking companies and cargo loaders have a responsibility to ensure that cargo is loaded safely, but sometimes they cut corners to save time or money.
Mechanical Problems
Mechanical failures like brake problems, tire blowouts, and steering issues can also lead to truck accidents. Trucks need regular maintenance to stay safe on the road. If a trucking company or maintenance provider doesn’t inspect and repair their vehicles properly, a mechanical problem can quickly become a deadly hazard. In some cases, a defect in the truck’s design or parts can also contribute to a crash.
Who Can Be Responsible for Truck Accidents?
Figuring out who is responsible for a commercial truck crash can be complicated. Unlike a typical car accident that usually involves just two drivers, truck accidents often involve multiple parties. Each of these parties may have played a role in causing the crash.
Here’s a closer look at who may be held responsible for a truck accident in Georgia.
Truck Driver
The truck driver is often the first person looked at when a crash happens. Drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles safely, and if they’re speeding, distracted, driving under the influence, or violating trucking regulations, they can be held liable. Proving driver negligence is a key part of many truck accident claims. Witness statements, dashcam footage, and logbooks can all help show that the driver made mistakes that led to the crash.
Truck Company
In many cases, the trucking company that employs the driver can also be held responsible.
Under Georgia law, an employer can generally be held liable for an employee’s negligent behavior in the course of his/her job. This means a trucking company can be held liable for a driver’s mistakes, even if the company itself didn’t do anything wrong.
Trucking companies also have a duty to hire qualified drivers, provide proper training, and make sure their vehicles are safe. A company can be held accountable for failing to do these things or pressuring drivers to break safety rules to meet deadlines.
Cargo Loaders
Sometimes the cause of a truck accident isn’t the driver or the truck itself, it’s the cargo. Cargo loading companies are supposed to make sure that loads are balanced and secured properly. If a load shifts or falls off the truck because it wasn’t secured correctly, it can cause a major crash. In these cases, the company responsible for loading the truck may be held liable for any injuries or damages.
Maintenance Providers and Manufacturers
Mechanical problems are another common factor in truck accidents, and these can sometimes be traced back to the companies that maintain or manufacture trucks. If a maintenance provider didn’t fix a known problem with the brakes or if a defective part was installed during repairs, these companies can also be held responsible. Similarly, if the accident was caused by a defect in the truck’s design or a faulty part, the manufacturer may be legally responsible under product liability laws.
How Can a Commercial Truck Accident Lawyer Help?
Truck accident cases are very different from regular car accident claims. They’re often much more complicated, involving multiple parties, federal and state regulations, and significant damages. That’s why having an experienced commercial truck accident lawyer on your side can make all the difference.
Here’s how a lawyer can help victims of truck accidents in Georgia.
Conducting a Thorough Investigation
One of the first things a skilled truck accident lawyer will do is launch a detailed investigation. They’ll collect evidence from the scene, including photos, police reports, and witness statements. They’ll also request records from the trucking company, like driver logs and maintenance records. In some cases, they’ll work with accident reconstruction experts to figure out exactly how the crash happened.
Identifying All Responsible Parties
As we discussed earlier, truck accidents can involve many different parties. A lawyer will look beyond the driver to see if the trucking company, cargo loaders, or even the manufacturer may have contributed to the crash. By identifying all responsible parties, your lawyer can make sure you’re getting the full compensation you deserve, not just a fraction of it.
Negotiating with Insurance Companies
Dealing with insurance companies after a truck accident can be stressful and confusing. Insurance companies often try to settle quickly for as little money as possible. A good lawyer knows how to stand up to these tactics and will negotiate aggressively on your behalf. They’ll make sure that any settlement covers all of your losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Taking Your Case to Court if Needed
Most truck accident cases settle out of court, but sometimes a fair agreement can’t be reached. If that happens, your lawyer will be ready to take your case to trial. At Horst Shewmaker, our attorneys are experienced litigators who know how to present your case in court and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact Horst Shewmaker for a Free Consultation
If you or a loved one has been injured in a truck accident in Alpharetta or anywhere else in Georgia, don’t wait to get the help you need. At Horst Shewmaker, we understand how overwhelming and stressful the aftermath of a truck accident can be. Our experienced attorneys are here to fight for the compensation you deserve.
We offer free consultations, so you can discuss your case without any obligation. If we take on your case, you won’t pay us anything unless we win. Contact us today by calling (404) 400-1175 or using our online form.
