The Risks Semi-Trucks Pose On The Roads

When a truck driver is negligent, the likelihood of an accident occurring on a Georgia roadway is much higher. When something like this happens, it is often the driver and the trucking company that they work for that have to answer for this mistake. This is likely in the form of having to pay for both the injuries and the damages that were caused to the innocent victims of the accident. While this is similar to any other type of vehicle accident that occurs on the roads, semis and tractor-trailers are unique in that they can easily cause what is know an a jackknife accident. There is also the potential for the entire vehicle to roll over because of unbalanced cargo, causing many injuries and often, death.

If you are someone who has sustained an injury as a result of a trucking company or trucker’s negligence, you don’t have to simply try to move on. In fact, you might be entitled to some serious compensation. The Monk Law Firm is here to discuss the details of your accident, fully evaluate your claim, and negotiate for you with both the insurance company and the other party. We can even litigate your case if it reaches the point of going to court. However, before you give us a call, let’s take a more in-depth look at semi-truck accidents.

Rolling Over

When it comes to trucks, big-rigs and tractor-trailers, the likelihood that they will roll over during a collision or wreck of some sort is fairly high. At least it is much higher than it would be for a car or van to do so. These types of vehicles also have to comply with the regulations set forth by the  Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. These rules place restrictions on things like the weight of the vehicle, how much can be included in one load, what is considered to be an oversized load and how much cargo can be on a trailer.

When there are issues with the aforementioned regulations, the trailer can easily overturn which can lead to multiple scenarios, such as multi-vehicle chain reaction collisions, the spilling of chemical or hazardous waste on the roads, and the cargo on the trailer to come loose from the trailer and fall out onto the roadways. Additionally, tractors and trailers can become separated and come apart in the middle of a road, leading to severe accidents.

Driving Habits of Truckers

Those who drive large trucks and tractor-trailers are known to switch lanes often and move around other smaller vehicles at fairly fast speeds. This is all done with the hope that they will arrive at their destination sooner rather than later. There is also often a financial incentive for doing so. However, if they are not driving safely as they do so, they will be held responsible for any injuries or damage they cause while they are behind the wheel.

One example is what happens when a trucker chooses to drive too quickly around a curve in the road. This could easily lead to the trailer jackknifing, causing a huge accident, harming many people. The driver and the trucking company would be responsible for all the consequences of that decision.

Negligent Driving

Semi trucks are large, heavy, and fast. When these drivers do not use their heads and end up making irresponsible decisions on the roads, many lives are put in danger. Some of the negligent decisions that you should keep an eye out for when you are on the road with a semi are as follow:

• Distracted Driving
• Speeding
• Using a cell phone while driving
• Driving while under the influence of alcohol and drugs
• Not obeying traffic control devices (stop lights, stop signs, etc.)
• Failing to yield to other traffic
• Driving while fatigued
• Changing lanes abruptly
• Not using turn signals
• Driving around curves too quickly
• Driving too fast when road conditions are bad

Injuries Caused By Truck Accidents

For the most part, truck accidents occur on highways and do involve extreme circumstances like jackknifing, rolling over, and uncoupling. Since the trucks are normally traveling at higher speeds when an accident like this occurs, it means that small vehicles and those who are in them are very likely to sustain serious injuries when they are involved. These are often things like traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, fractures, paralysis, abrasions, spinal injuries, scarring, and in the very worst of cases, death.  

Proving Liability

In order for liability to be proven, the injured party (or their legal team) have to be able to prove negligence on the part of the trucker or the trucking company. This means that the plaintiff who has been injured has to be able to show that the trucker who is at-fault has a duty to be a safe and careful driver and that was not indeed what happened. This breach of duty is the sole ground for proving liability and getting you the compensation you deserve.

Have You Been Injured By A Semi?

If you have been injured in an accident that involved a tractor-trailer, you need to help of a caring legal team. At The Monk Law Firm, we care about our clients before everything else and we will work to get you what you deserve after being involved in an accident. Contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you moving forward after your semi-truck accident.