Robert S. Windholz Trucking Accidents Law Blog on Lawyers.com

On January 1, 2000, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) was established within the Department of Transportation to help prevent commercial motor vehicle-related accidents that lead to fatalities and injuries. Working with federal, state, and local enforcement agencies, as well as with the motor carrier industry and other safety groups, the FMCSA promotes safety in motor carrier operations. Safety measures target high-risk carriers and commercial motor vehicle drivers, improve safety information systems, facilitate more effective commercial motor vehicle equipment and operating standards, and increase safety awareness.

Such precautions are necessary, but certainly not foolproof. With the millions of trucks registered to operate on US roads, the risk of serious truck-related accidents is ever-present. In 2006, of the 368,000 police-reported truck crashes in the US, 22 percent resulted in fatalities and personal injury, while the remainder involved property damage only.

Many operators of big rigs and smaller trucks are well-trained, seasoned drivers. However, having thousands of multi-ton vehicles on our highways requires that truck operators and other drivers take stringent precautions on the road.

The list below contains some of the causes for trucking accidents:

• Independent truck drivers rushing to meet delivery deadlines, thereby driving too fast for conditions or driving for too long without rest
• Carriers placing unreasonable demands on their operators to make rush delivery deadlines
• Long hauls, leaving operators exhausted, stressed and/or bored to distraction
• Being distracted by personal  wireless communications including texting
• Having the driver’s view obstructed by poor truck design
• Driving with minimal lane space
• Other drivers’ cutting in front of big rigs without regard to the amount of time and space the truck operator needs to slow down or otherwise adjust
• Malfunctioning or defective truck parts
• Dropping cargo that is not properly secured
• Carrying toxic chemicals that escape after an impact

Metro Atlanta highways and roads are especially dangerous because of the high volume and high speed of traffic, coupled with a large number of big rigs and trucks traveling through the area. Many truck accidents in Georgia involve multiple other vehicles which happen to be in proximity to the incident. The outcomes of these massive collisions can be lethal.

If you or someone you know has been seriously injured or killed as a result of a trucking accident in Georgia, seek the advice of a qualified personal injury attorney who knows Georgia laws and fully understands the implications of such crashes. With more than 35 years of experience trying Georgia lawsuits, the Georgia law firm of Bob S. Windholz, located in Alpharetta, will carefully review your case and provide solid, trustworthy advice on how to protect and enforce your legal rights.  We have represented victims of personal injury and wrongful death since 1973

Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into accepting a settlement and signing a release without being fully aware of your rights and the meaning of what you are signing. Investigate the qualifications and credentials of any attorney or other person who may approach you regarding your case.  Seek a seasoned professional who will provide you with good options and respect your right to make your own decisions.

If you or a loved one has been injured, you may be entitled to money damages for the harm caused by a Georgia trucker accident. The personal injury attorneys at the Georgia and Metro Atlanta law firm of Robert S. Windholz would be happy to speak with you. Simply call us at 678.990.1584 for a free phone consultation regarding your legal concerns.