Clayton County Tractor-Trailer Accident Causes Death of Other Driver
A Georgia woman was killed after she drove into the back of a tractor-trailer that was parked on I-285 after being involved in a prior accident with another commercial truck. This tragic accident is a reminder that small passenger vehicles do not fair well when they are involved in collisions with tractor-trailers that may be ten times their weight. It is unclear why the woman drove into the tractor-trailer or what had caused the prior accident involving the tractor-trailer. The woman was believed to have been traveling at a high rate of speed when she collided with the back of the tractor-trailer.
While defensive driving is always important, it is even more critical to avoid being involved in collisions with tractor-trailer trucks. At Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, we have been representing those injured or killed in collisions with tractor-trailers in Georgia for over 39 years.
Defensive driving techniques can mean the difference between a fatal commercial trucking accident and a near miss. It is important to allow a significant following distance because big-rigs cannot maneuver or brake as quickly as smaller vehicles that weigh less. A fully loaded big-rig traveling at freeway speeds need twice the distance to stop as a conventional passenger vehicle. If you allow enough following distance behind a 18-wheeler you give yourself the distance needed to safely stop your vehicle or move out of the way of a potential collision. The reverse also applies so that when you pass a commercial truck you should never cut the tractor-trailer off when you move back into its lane. Because the tractor-trailer needs substantially increased stopping time, you need to give the truck plenty of space behind you when you pass.
Drivers of passenger vehicles also need to be aware of the large blind spots of big-rig trucks. A driver should never remain beside a commercial truck for an extended period because of these large blind spots along the side of their vehicle. If you are planning on passing a tractor-trailer, you should make sure you have plenty of space to complete the maneuver quickly so that you are not trapped next to the tractor-trailer. If the driver of the commercial truck decides to change lanes, the driver may not see you.
Defensive driving can save your life and that of your family, particularly when faced with the potential of a commercial trucking accident. Commercial trucking accidents cause over 12% of all motor vehicle fatalities, with a passenger or driver in the other vehicle being the person killed 98% of the time. Trucking accidents are particularly common during the holiday season where truck drivers are fighting bad weather, accelerated schedules and holiday distractions. If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a tractor-trailer accident, Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law, can help. Our Georgia tractor trailer accident lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. No matter where you are, we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.