Truck drivers have a tremendous responsibility to Georgia motorists and pedestrians. Everyone who uses our roadways rely on truck drivers to pay attention and to remain vigilant while operating a vehicle of immense size and weight. When an accident involving an 18-wheeler does occur, it is often due to truck driver error.
Some truckers tend to be aggressive behind the wheel of tractor-trailers, which can quickly become dangerous for others in or near the road. For instance, a speeding truck is far less likely to be able to stop when necessary. Moreover, actions such as erratic lane changes, running someone off the side of the road and other “road rage” type behaviors can easily lead to a serious or deadly crash.
In other cases, a truck driver is simply too tired to adequately control his or her semi-truck. This fatigue can be caused by any number of reasons, but the outcome of a trucker falling asleep at the wheel is often deadly. Other drivers may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An improperly secured load or a mechanical issue can also be overlooked. A driver may not even realize that he or she has caused an accident until it is too late.
As is the case in many vehicle accidents on Georgia’s roadways involving cars, motorcycles and other smaller vehicles, many tractor-trailer crashes are caused by truck driver error. If you are involved in an accident where the truck driver is as fault, you are entitled to file a personal injury claim against the driver and possibly his or her employer because an employer is typically held liable for the negligent actions of its employees. If you lost a family member under these circumstances, you may file a wrongful death claim against the party or parties believed to be responsible as well. Successfully proving negligence could lead to an award or damages.
