Five people were reported injured in a multi-vehicle accident in Atlanta that involved at least one tractor-trailer and several other vehicles. According to news reports, the accident occurred on Interstate 20 near Six Flags.
Several cars traveling on the highway had slowed down due to the sun. However a tractor-trailer that was following failed to slow down in time and swerved to avoid a collision. In doing so, the tractor-trailer went off the embankment, and negligently struck a parked car, triggering a chain reaction crash. At least seven other vehicles besides the truck were involved in the accident. At the end of the carnage, five people were injured, but all are expected to survive.
Anytime a tractor-trailer is involved in a rear-ending accident, an Atlanta truck accident lawyer’s first thoughts go to the speed of the truck at the time of the accident. The term “speed” here refers not just to the speed limits posted on the highway at the time of the accident, but also appropriate speeds for existing conditions. For instance, a truck driver may be said to be speeding not just if he drives above the posted highway limits, but also at higher speeds than are appropriate for the road, traffic and weather conditions.
Any responsible truck driver knows that he needs to drop speeds when road conditions are congested. Besides, truckers need to drive slower during harsh weather conditions, when the roads are likely to be wet and slippery, increasing the risk of jackknifing. Failure to drive at appropriate speeds contributes to more numbers of fatal truck accidents in the US every year than any other accident factor.
The DOT has conducted a detailed study called “The Large Truck Crash Causation Study” to analyze truck crashes occurring between 2001 and 2003. The negligence acts that led to crashes involving tractor-trailer trucks included:
• Loss of control of the truck after driving due to some event like a tire blowout or equipment failure;
• Disabling or non-disabling vehicle failure – engine problem or hood flew up;
• Another motor vehicle encroaching on the truck ‘s lane;
• Poor road conditions due to poor road maintenance or weather;
• Traveling too fast for road conditions;
• Shifting cargo;
• Lane drifting;
• Driving off the edge of the road into the shoulder or off the roadway;
• Improper truck maneuvering during turns or while passing;
• Coming upon a stopped vehicle;
• foreign objects on the highway;
• Driver fatigue.
Robert J. Fleming has been handling wrongful death cases, dental malpractice, bus accidents, car accident cases and premises injury cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 20 years. He practices in and around the Atlanta, Georgia area including handling lawsuits in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Gwinnett, Cobb and other counties and nearby cities including Alpharetta, Austell, Avondale Estates, Chamblee, College Park, Conyers, Duluth, Decatur, Doraville, Hapeville, Johns Creek, Jonesboro, Lawrenceville, Norcross, Peachtree City, Riverdale, Roswell, Sandy Springs, Stone Mountain, and Smyrna. If you have been seriously injured in a car accident and would like discuss your case, contact Robert J. Fleming directly on (404) 525-5150 or contact us online.