Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
Over the weekend, officials reported that it took them several hours to successfully clear the remnants of a tragic accident that happened on Interstate 85 near Peachtree Road in Suwanee, Gwinnett County.
A county officer confirmed that there was one fatality, following the reported collision of a passenger vehicle and a tractor trailer. A video sent to a local news station by a passing motorist showed the trailer engulfed in white smoke. A photograph reportedly revealed a car pinned below a burned out section of the trailer.
According to one witness, “The small car was pressed between the tractor trailer and the railing, completely engulfed in fire.” A Police Department spokesman said both vehicles were traveling southbound on I-85 north of Old Peachtree Road when the two vehicles collided. The car apparently caught fire sometime shortly after the collision, trapping the driver of the passenger vehicle. As a result, the driver of the car died at the scene.
The accident remains under investigation. Authorities reported that additional information, including any potential charges, would be released the following week.
This accident is incredibly tragic. While there is not enough factual information to speculate as to the cause or potential fault, it seems likely that the sheer size of the tractor trailer played at least a small part in causing the fire to erupt in the passenger vehicle. Whether the truck driver was responsible for causing the accident in the first place will have to be determined through the investigation.
Commercial truck drivers are required to follow certain federal regulations regarding length of driving periods, mandatory minimum rest breaks, and other relevant safety guidelines. In some cases, the companies that employ these drivers will provide financial incentives to drivers who deliver their loads ahead of schedule. This can lead to potentially deadly results. Driver fatigue is one of the most common causes of accidents involving commercial truck drivers. When companies encourage their drivers to break laws and ignore their rest cues, they should be held accountable for any resulting injuries or damages that their actions may cause.
If you believe that another driver’s negligence was responsible for causing your car accident, you may potentially be able to recover financial compensation for any damages you may have suffered. These include things such as damage to your car, any resultant medical bills, an amount for pain & suffering, any lost wages at work, and other related expenses as the case may be.
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a car accident due to another individual’s negligent driving, consult an experienced Atlanta car accident attorney as soon as possible. Stephen Ozcomert is a knowledgeable personal injury attorney with over 20 years of experience in personal injury cases. He is skilled at representing individuals and their families in the greater Atlanta area who have been injured as a result of the negligent or reckless driving of others in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Contact us today in order to schedule your free initial consultation. You can reach us by calling (404)-370-1000 or through our website.
More Blog Posts:
Sleepy Driver Causes Multi Vehicle Collision, Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 21, 2013
Road Rage Suspected in Deadly Gainesville Crash, Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Blog, published October 9, 2013