If you have ever driven on one of Atlanta’s many busy interstates, you know tractor-trailers are everywhere. They speed across I-20, come barreling down 75 during heavy traffic, and cut you off when you try to get on or off 285. Without a doubt, these trucks that can weigh 10,000 pounds or more are dangerous, and the bigger and heavier they get, the more likely they are to cause an accident.
Truck Accident Statistics
Did you know that one out of every eight deaths due to traffic collisions are the result of an accident involving a tractor-trailer? The trucks cause over half a million accidents each year. At least 5,000 of those accidents always result in the death of one or more people. Sadly, injuries that result from tractor-trailer accidents are often serious, such as head or spinal cord trauma, and can lead to long-term effects.
Some Causes of Truck Accidents
So, what exactly causes these accidents? Numerous factors play a role. Some of them have nothing to do with the truck itself: bad weather, curvy roads, and high speed limits. Sometimes it is the truck. Heavy trucks have a hard time braking at short distances, especially when traffic comes to a sudden stop. If their tires are not inspected, they may blow out and cause a smaller vehicle to wreck. They even have more blind spots than your average motor vehicle. Moreover, in some cases, the trucker is to blame. He or she may be in a hurry to get a load to its destination, which leads to speeding and reckless driving. It can also lead to fatigue due to long hours of solitude on the open road with little or no sleep.
If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer or truck accident, and it led to injury or death,Ashenden & Hollingsworth, P.C. can help you seek justice so that negligent drivers and companies never again ruin the life of another person. Contact us today at 770-394-8909.
