Speeding on the roads can greatly increase the potential of an accident. If a tractor trailer, 18-wheeler, semi-truck or another large commercial vehicle is driving at dangerous speeds on the freeways and highways of Atlanta, a serious accident can occur. The huge weight of a large speeding truck can greatly shorten the time that the trucker has to react to stop the very heavy vehicle in time. Truckers must drive at or below the speed limit because of the extra braking distance required with the extra weight that trucks carry.
Truck drivers frequently get paid by the load or by the mile. Because of that, truckers have an incentive to engage in aggressive driving tactics, including exceeding the posted speed limit. Studies show that driver error and excessive speeding cause the vast majority of trucking accidents. Even though truck drivers are under strict regulations, they are frequently ignored in an effort to make more money.
It’s also a sad truth that many drivers are improperly trained, which can cause serious accidents. Commercial trucks may also not be correctly maintained, which can cause or contribute to serious accidents. In both of those cases, a third party other than (or in addition to) the driver may be held responsible for the accident.
When an accident occurs involving a large speeding truck, it’s common for truck drivers and trucking companies to use a number of strategies to avoid responsibility for the accident. Many truckers may claim the accident occurred because they were cut off in traffic, or because a vehicle was following too closely. It’s important that you have an attorney on your side in a trucking accident case who can help recreate the scene of the collision, including talking to witnesses, collecting logbooks and maintenance schedules, obtaining the truck’s black box and GPS data, and taking photos of the scene.
Typically the size and weight of a large commercial vehicle can cause very catastrophic injuries to other motorists and passengers involved in an accident. The damages may be huge and hard to calculate. An experienced attorney can help ensure that his or her client receives enough money for ongoing medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, funeral and burial costs for a loved one who was killed, the loss of future earning power, and more.
Even if it may be shown that the truck driver was at fault, there could be other additional responsible parties involved. The trucking company may also be held liable, especially if it can be shown that the driver was not properly trained or that the truck was not maintained correctly.
If you have been involved in an accident involving a tractor trailer in the Atlanta area, call the Atlanta personal injury attorneys at Holston & Huntley. We will provide you with a free consultation on your case, and if we choose to take your case you pay us nothing unless we obtain a recovery for you. Call us today- consultations are free and you are under no obligation to use our services. We serve Metro Atlanta Georgia as well as Birmingham Alabama including surrounding areas.
