Georgia Tractor Trailer Accident Attorney

Tractor trailers are a crucial component of the American economy. These large vehicles transport countless tons of goods and materials all across the country, traveling millions of miles every year. While trucks are important to American commerce, it’s vital to recognize the inherently dangerous nature of these large vehicles. Anyone in the Atlanta area or elsewhere in Georgia should know where to turn after suffering injury or loss from a tractor trailer accident. The dedicated Georgia truck accident lawyer team at Butler Prather LLP can help with your case!

Main Causes of Tractor Trailer Accidents

Large trucks are more dangerous than other cars for various reasons. The most obvious of these is their size: a fully-loaded tractor trailer can weigh around 80,000 pounds, many times more than typical passenger vehicles. In addition to their large size and extreme weight, they have a higher center of gravity than smaller vehicles since they must sit higher off the road. This makes them more vulnerable to tip-overs and rollovers. Truck drivers also have demanding jobs and often drive for many consecutive hours multiple times a week.

Some of the most common reasons behind tractor trailer accidents include:

• Aggressive driving. This can apply to both truck drivers and the other drivers around truckers on the road. Aggressive driving describes the unnecessary and provocative maneuvers some drivers perform out of frustration. Speeding, aggressive lane changes, cutting off other drivers, and other displays of road rage are always dangerous. That danger is amplified when a tractor trailer is involved.
• Driver error. Truck drivers typically spend many hours on the road at a time and often drive thousands of miles a week. When they push themselves too far to meet deadlines, they risk causing an accident due to fatigue. Trucking companies have a legal duty to ensure their drivers take adequate rest breaks and follow the Department of Transportation guidelines for hours of service. Additionally, inexperienced truck drivers should always err on the side of caution to avoid causing accidents.
• DUI. Driving under the influence is a bad decision for any driver, but truck drivers pose an extreme danger to everyone on the road around them when they choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Not only can a DUI trucking accident cause extreme damage, but a truck driver found guilty of DUI may face criminal charges and other repercussions that will likely affect their future employment opportunities.
• Poor maintenance. Trucks spend more time on the road than most other vehicles so they need more extensive maintenance than typical passenger cars. When trucking companies or maintenance technicians fail to thoroughly complete their service checks, they risk incurring liability for any resulting accidents.
• Defective parts. Truck part manufacturers must ensure their products function correctly. If a defective part causes an accident, the injured party can secure compensation through a product liability claim.
• Improperly secured cargo. Tractor trailers often carry large items such as construction equipment, smaller vehicles, logs and lumber, concrete piping, and other special cargo that requires thoughtful security. Failing to secure cargo properly can create an unbalanced load, increasing the chances of a tip-over or rollover during sharp turns taken at speed.

Tractor trailer accidents can happen for a number of reasons, and when they do, they typically cause significant damage to both property and other drivers nearby. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or other losses from a trucking accident in Atlanta or anywhere else in Georgia, you need to connect with a reliable, experienced Atlanta truck accident attorney to represent your case.

Butler Prather LLP is here to help, so reach out to our team with any questions about your trucking accident case in Georgia today. We also offer free initial case evaluations, so schedule an appointment to meet with one of our team members and we will let you know how we can be of assistance. Call us today! (800) 242-2962