Every time you get on the road, you have a minimum expectation that everyone is paying attention and doing what they’re supposed to be doing. Unfortunately, this is not always the case, which is why accidents occur. You would expect a tractor-trailer driver to be extra attentive and alert while they’re on the road due to the huge amount of cargo and weight of their truck. However, distractions on the road and a lack of sleep for truck drivers can be extremely dangerous for the other drivers on the road.
Have you or a loved one been involved in an accident with a tractor-trailer driver who fell asleep at the wheel? You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries or lost wages.
DROWSY TRACTOR-TRAILER DRIVERS AND THE DANGER THEY POSE
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) collects a lot of traffic data, and in March 2011 they compiled a bunch of data from automobile accidents from 2005 to 2009. What they found was alarming: Fatigued driving was the cause of 2.5% of all crashes that had fatalities.
Truck drivers must meet certain physical requirements to operate a commercial vehicle; they are required to take breaks after a number of hours on the road, but many companies will stretch their drivers to the limit in the promise of making more money and carrying more loads. This can potentially put truck drivers as well as other drivers on the road in danger.
INJURIES FROM A TRACTOR-TRAILER ACCIDENT
Car accidents always pose a danger for sustaining serious injuries, but the danger can increase dramatically when the accident involves a tractor-trailer and can sometimes even result in death.
Many of these life-changing injuries or untimely deaths are completely preventable and the crashes are due to driver and/or company negligence. Trucking companies can also often be negligent in their responsibilities to maintain their trucks and ensure that they are regulated for safety. They can not only push their drivers to the limits on driving time but also ignore the proper weight loading of a tractor-trailer. If a company is resistant to admitting fault in an accident, this can delay payment for medical bills and potentially, lost wages or funeral expenses.
Getting into an accident with a tractor-trailer can change your life. It can cause severe injuries, which can lead to major hospital bills as well as make it difficult or impossible to go back to work. If you or a loved one has been involved in a tractor-trailer accident in Georgia, the professionals at the Fry | Goehring can help you pursue compensation for your medical bills or any lost wages. Contact the Fry | Goehring today at 404-969-1284 to set up a consultation.
