Accidents involving large trucks or tractor-trailers often cause serious damages and injuries due to the sheer size of the vehicles. Victims of these accidents may sustain cuts and bruises, broken bones, head trauma, and other life-altering or threatening injuries. In many cases, the victim may be entitled to recover compensation for any suffering and losses attributable to the negligence of another driver. Some of the complicated parts of a personal injury action are determining who is responsible for the accident, preparing the appropriate pleadings and evidence, and ensuring that all local rules and laws are followed. In order to accomplish these legal tasks and others required to file a suit, it is important that you consult with an experienced Atlanta injury attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
According to a recent news article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, there were two separate deadly tractor-trailer accidents on I-16 in less than a month’s time. These devastating accidents caused multiple fatalities and other serious injuries. In a later article, the most recent accident was described as “almost a re-enactment” of the earlier crash. These two horrific accidents, just weeks apart, have added to the already intense debate over trucking safety regulations. While it is not clear what caused either accident, the article suggests that there are certain safety measures that could be instituted to improve tractor-trailer safety.
For one, it is widely recognized that people face many distractions while driving. One way to reduce the number of accidents on Georgia highways is to limit the amount of driver distractions. Despite the known risks, many drivers still use their cell phones and/or smartphones for texting, making calls, and even surfing the Internet. Furthermore, according to the article, federal policy makers are considering safety regulations that would require trucks to have both collision avoidance systems and speed governors.
Some trucking companies already use collision avoidance technology, which automatically applies the brakes and stability control whenever the truck is quickly coming upon another object or vehicle. Some highway safety advocates suggest that the most recent accident might have been prevented if the truck had utilized a collision avoidance system. Speed governors, on the other hand, operate to limit a truck’s top speed. According to the article, while all trucks built in the United States since 1992 come with speed governors installed, truckers are not required to use them.
Truck safety organizations are also concerned with driver fatigue, arguing that there should be a limit to the number of hours drivers are permitted to operate a truck. But the trucking industry and safety advocacy organizations do not see eye to eye on these issues. The article summarizes the underlying challenge facing the trucking industry today: to find a way to improve safety without inhibiting commerce or instituting unnecessary restrictions. These are real concerns at a time when the trucking industry in Georgia is expanding.
While commerce and a booming trucking industry are important concerns, so too is the matter of safety on local highways. Truck accidents can be terribly devastating, as we have seen recently in the local news. In some cases, the injured victims or their families may have a right to compensation, at the very least. If you have been injured in any vehicle accident involving a car or truck, it is important to contact an injury attorney who can assess your case and determine your rights to a recovery. Stephen M. Ozcomert has over 20 years of experience handling car and truck accident cases, representing individuals who have been injured as a result of negligent driving in Atlanta and throughout Georgia. Call us today at (404)-370-1000 to schedule a free initial consultation, or you can reach us through our website.
Related Blog Posts:
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Personal Injury Claim Arising from Tractor-Trailer Accident Goes to the Jury