Atlanta Truck Accident Attorneys

Rear-end collisions caused by semi-tractor-trailer trucks can be caused by poor maintenance. For example, an 18-wheeler's braking system could be damaged or worn down, making it hard for the trucker to stop their semi before hitting a vehicle in front of them. In some truck accident cases involving mechanical issues, a claim might be filed against the mechanic who did not repair or maintain the truck's braking system. If the truck driver is employed by a trucking or transportation company, that company might also be held liable for damages.

While all types of vehicles can cause a serious accident, collisions involving 18-wheeler tractor-trailer trucks pose a considerably higher risk of death or catastrophic injury.  When a tractor-trailer truck weighing around 80,000 pounds crashes into a motor vehicle weighing only 3,000 pounds, the passengers inside the smaller motor vehicle face a greater risk of sustaining severe, debilitating injuries.  Because of the elevated risk of death or severe injury, federal regulations created by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandate inspections and specific maintenance schedules for all commercial trucks.  These laws not only mandate continuous inspections and maintenance, but the regulations also require meticulous record keeping to prove compliance.  Truck drivers also must fill out Driver Daily Vehicle Inspection Reports on a truck's tires, service brakes, windshield wipers, rims, emergency equipment, horn, wheels, parking brake, steering wheel, rear vision mirrors, and more under FMCSA Chapter 396.11.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) proposed examining the commercial truck's rear impact guard during a commercial vehicle's annual inspection.  Although rear impact guards have been required on most commercial vehicles for about 70 years, rear impact guards are not required to be inspected during an annual vehicle inspection.  This means a missing or damaged rear impact guard would not prevent the commercial truck from passing its annual safety inspection.

A news article published on FREIGHTWAVES.COM reports that the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a new study that has found large trucks equipped with Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning systems could reduce 40% of all rear-end accidents.

WASHINGTON, DC - A news report states that a new Bosch accident research study discovered that Lateral Actuator Systems in Class 7 and 8 trucks could reduce truck accident costs. The Bosch analysis finds by equipping commercial trucks with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to keep commercial trucks in their traffic lane, the overall costs of truck accidents go down. The technology can save lives and could also improve profits for trucking companies.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has sent a team of investigators to investigate the horrific Tesla underride accident last occurred week. The accident happened at around 3:20 AM on March 11, 2021, in southwest Detroit, Michigan.

According to vt.edu, a new study that the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute co-authored discovered that truckers diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea and neglect their mandated treatment program are at a 500% greater chance of having a severe accident. 

A study conducted by Virginia Tech reported that truck drivers who do not treat their sleep apnea places them and other drivers on the road at risk for being injured in a serious accident.  Daytime fatigue as well as drowsiness are both often associated with obstructive sleep apnea, which can affect a trucker and his or her ability to safely operate a commercial truck such as an 18-wheeler.

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, MO - A truck accident news story on stltoday.com reports that an 18-wheerler truck accident occurred in St. Louis County, Misssouri.  The crash happened in the westbound lane of Interstate 44.*  According to the St. Louis County police, the tractor-trailer truck overturned along I-44.  

According to an online news report published on pal-item.com, an 18-wheeler tractor-trailer truck was significantly damaged after colliding with another semi-tractor-trailer truck at almost full speed on Interstate 70.*

USA - There are some roads in the United States that are particularly deadly for truck drivers. Driving a truck can be a dangerous job and a demanding one. Transporting cargo for long periods of time can lead to fatigue, a condition that can be deadly when driving a semi. 

USA- Ttnews.com writes that Americans can now check out the progress of automated car testing using an online tool. The United States Department of Transportation launched the tool this week, which is part of the Automated Vehicle Transparency and Engagement for Safe Testing (AV-TEST) Initiative.

Traumatic brain injuries, or TBIs, are devastating injuries that are often a result of a serious motor vehicle accident.  Traumatic brain injuries can be permanent, although victims could recover some of their lost capacity through rehabilitation and other medical procedures depending on the specific injury. When the victim's nuero-pathways are damaged or destroyed, the victim may suffer paralysis, loss of brain function, loss of speaking ability, and they are often unable to function independently and must rely on others to satisfy some of life’s most basic functions.

The logging industry is vital to the growth of America. Logging trucks are often encountered on many of the Interstate highways that crisscross the country. Sadly, many fatal and catastrophic logging truck accidents happen every year.  The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration provides specific regulations regarding logging trucks.

Analysts who studied commercial truck accidents performed by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) discovered main causes for truck wrecks after the number of fatal truck crashes increased from 2017 to 2018. The FMCSA considered these causes of fatal or catastrophic truck crashes as “hidden.” Additionally, statistics show that 82% of deaths caused by truck crashes were someone other than the truck driver. People who die in truck crashes are the other drivers on the road, motorcycle riders, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. 

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, or CVSA, released data from a study the organization conducted that focused on brake safety of large trucks and semis on Brake Safety Day. The results of the analysis performed by the CVSA should strike fear in motorists who share the roads with commercial vehicles.

RICHMOND, IN- Pal-item.com writes that a truck driver caused a horrific collision that killed four children this month. Investigators found that the driver was licensed, even though he had previous felony convictions for drug use.*