The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has released a statement declaring a Georgia truck driver to be an “Imminent hazard to public safety.” In the statement, the FMCSA sites two infractions – operating a commercial vehicle while intoxicated and fatigued driving – one of which resulted in a multi-vehicle accident. The FMCSA has ordered the Georgia-licensed truck driver to stop operating commercial vehicles immediately.
Declarations like this from the FMCSA are common. Sadly, that means that truckers engaging in dangerous behavior is also common. In many cases, the poor decisions of drivers with a CDL result in truck accidents – and many of those cause serious or fatal injury. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident in Georgia, call the Atlanta office of Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King at 404-760-7400 to schedule a free consultation and learn how we can help you secure the compensation you are due.
Leading Causes of Truck Accidents
The Georgia trucker declared an imminent hazard was cited for two different instances in which he had engaged in behaviors common among truck drivers: drug and alcohol use, and driving without sleeping. In fact, according to an exhaustive study into the cause of truck crashes, the FMCSA identified drug use and fatigue as two of the ten leading causes of commercial vehicle accidents in the United States.
The top ten factors contributing to serious and fatal truck accidents* are:
- Brake problems
- Traffic flow interruption (congestion, previous crash)
- Prescription drug use
- Traveling too fast for conditions
- Unfamiliarity with roadway
- Roadway problems
- Required to stop before crash (traffic control device, crosswalk)
- Over-the-counter drug use
- Inadequate surveillance
- Fatigue
Some of these truck accident causes are the fault of the driver. Liability for others may rest with a third-party. Determining who is liable for your accident requires an experienced and dedicated team of truck accident attorneys. In Atlanta, that team is at Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King, and we welcome an opportunity to meet with you free of both cost and obligation to help you determine the most effective way to get the justice you deserve.
Who is Liable for Your Truck Accident?
Depending on its cause, liability in a truck accident often lies with the truck driver. This is clearly the case with the Georgia trucker declared a hazard, as are all instances in which drug and alcohol use, speeding, or lack of sleep come into play. But what about some of the other top causes of truck accidents? Who can be held liable for those?
Our Georgia commercial vehicle accident lawyers will conduct a thorough investigation into your accident to determine its cause and identify all liable parties. This may include:
- The trucking company
- Mechanics and parts manufacturers
- The company responsible for loading and securing cargo
- Government entities
There are often multiple parties included in truck accident litigation – each with experienced legal counsel and aggressive insurance adjusters working to cheat you out of a fair settlement. Our truck accident lawyers are prepared to fight against these interests and stand by your side, taking your case as far as needed to secure for you and your family the full compensation your injuries demand.
To schedule a free case evaluation at our Atlanta office, please contact Lourie, Chance, Forlines, Carter & King today. We fight for victims of truck accident injury living in Savannah, Augusta, Decatur, Columbus, and all surrounding areas of Georgia.