According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, approximately 500,000 truck accidents occur each year involving a large tractor trailer and either a passenger vehicle or a pedestrian. Such accidents are responsible for around 5,000 deaths annually, and many more serious injuries. The large majority of these accidents are caused by negligent driving on the part of the truck driver. If you or a loved one has been involved in or injured as a result of a trucking accident caused by negligent driving, contacting a Coweta County attorney at Shane Smith Law can help you recover for your injuries.
Truck accidents can happen anywhere and at any time -- they occur regularly in both rural areas and busy cities, and nearly 66% took place during daytime hours. The leading causes for truck accidents are negligent truck driving or other unsafe actions on the part of the driver.
Examples of negligent truck driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Speeding to meet delivery deadlines
- Aggressive driving practice to meet deadlines
- Not stopping for adequate rest and fatigued driving
- Failure to reduce speed through construction zones or when encountering poor road or weather conditions
Many truck drivers receive additional compensation for faster deliveries or more time spent on the road, therefore drivers often participate in negligent truck driving behaviors to log more hours on the road or arrive at a destination faster. These dangerous driving behaviors cause the majority of truck accidents.
Examples of other unsafe actions
- Overloading the truck
- Not adequately securing heavy loads
- Not performing regular maintenance on the truck
- Driving a truck with known need for repairs
Negligent driving is not the only way a truck driver can cause an accident. Because of time pressures, truck drivers often fail to perform safety procedures and maintenance on their trucks. Overloading can cause tire, wheel, or brake malfunctions, which can in turn cause truck accidents.
If you have been involved in a truck accident in Coweta County, please contact Shane Smith Law and we will help determine if the accident was a result of negligent truck driving or unsafe actions of the driver. We can assist you in every stage of your case. Call us today at (980) 246-2656.