Practice Areas
Blog 
Library
Auto Accidents
Worker's Compensation
General
Truck Accidents
In 2004, there were over 400,000 large trucks involved in traffic accidents in the United States, killing over 5,000 people. Another 116,000 were seriously injured in those accidents. While tractor trailers account for only 3% of the registered vehicles on Georgia’s roadways, they account for one of every eight traffic fatalities. In Georgia alone, accidents with large trucks killed 233 drivers in 2004.
There are many reasons for accidents caused by tractor trailers. First, big rig drivers are often forced to spend long hours on the roads. This produces two deadly results: inattention and lack of sleep. The National Sleep Foundation reports that nearly two million American drivers admit to having had an accident because they dozed off or were too tired to drive. But the problem is even greater with truck drivers, studies show that as many as 50% of all truck crashes are caused by driver inattention.
The Department of Transportation has adopted rules governing the hours of services that commercial drivers can operate. Effective September 14, 2007, drivers may only be on the road for 10 consecutive hours before a lengthy “restart period” is required. But the rules are lax, as they do not require the driver to keep onboard recording devices which would track the time actually spent behind the wheel.
Second, drunken truck drivers can be especially dangerous, because they are hauling so much weight. For that reason, Georgia lowers the legal alcohol limit from 0.08% to 0.04% for truck drivers. Even knowing the potential for danger, some truckers still choose to drive after drinking.
Trucks pose a third problem for drivers on Georgia’s roadways: dangerous underrides. The underride of the truck is the part between the bottom of the truck’s bed and the road. Because this is elevated higher than passenger cars, it poses a dangerous risk of harm or even decapitation if a car’s driver comes into contact with the truck. In 2004, 36% of all truck crash fatalities involved a car crashing into the back or the side of the truck, areas particular susceptible to the underride risk.
The federal government takes many steps to ensure our safety on the roads. By requiring truckers to keep daily logs, they attempt to enforce the hours of service laws. By requiring truckers to stop at weigh stations, they attempt to regulate the weight of trucks and prevent massive accidents. And by requiring trucking companies to carry minimum levels of insurance, the government protects our financial interests in the case of a crash. However, some trucking companies are only concerned with protecting their own profits and will sometimes sidestep the law in order to make the delivery faster and cheaper. But this also makes the delivery – and our roadways – more dangerous for all of us.
If you or your loved ones have been injured by a negligent truck driver, please call Murphy & Associates at (770)577-3020 or email James Murphy at murphylawfirm@bellsouth.net.
James Murphy has been fighting insurance companies both in and out of the courtroom for years. His experience will help you recover for your injuries and get you back on your feet. Murphy & Associates are located near the Douglas County Courthouse and has successfully represented seriously injured individuals throughout West Georgia, including clients in Douglasville, Hiram, Bremen, Lithia Springs, Dallas, Tallapoosa, Carrollton, Douglas County, Paulding County, Haralson County, and Carroll County.
Case Results for Truck Accidents:
- Pick Up Truck Wreck - $50,000.00
- Trucking Accident - $65,000.00
Ask An Attorney
Free Evaluation
James Murphy
8302 Office Park Drive
Douglasville, GA 30133-1323
Phone: 770-577-3020
Fax: 770-577-2011
FAQs
Auto Accidents
What do I do if I'm in an accident?
Worker's Compensation
I Was Hurt at Work What Should I Do?
I Was Hurt at Work, but I Did Not Report it to My Employer Right Away.
My Employer Refuses to Allow Me to Report My Injury.
Medical Malpractice
Do I have a medical malpractice case?
General
Based on my situation, do I have a legal problem?