Roadways across the United States can be extremely dangerous. Thousands of trucking accidents across the nation take place each year, and these accidents can be tragic. Not only can they result in serious injuries, but they can also result in death. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict when one of these serious accidents will occur. You need to be aware of your surroundings, especially if you are traveling on a road with large trucks.
Common Causes of Atlanta Trucking Accidents
There are a variety of things that can increase the likelihood of you being in a truck accident, such as poor weather conditions. However, some of these accidents vary based on the driver of the truck, the ability they have to react, and even the type of equipment they are controlling.
- Blind spots – When traveling with large trucks, you need to be aware of drivers’ blind spots. Truck drivers often have trouble seeing smaller vehicles due to large blind spots. This can cause issues when changing lanes.
- Lost loads – Truck drivers should know how to properly secure their load and check them each time they take to the road. However, many drivers fail to do this, which means that cargo can become loose and fall onto the roadway or even on a passing vehicle. In other situations, it could cause a shift in the load inside the trailer of the truck and result in a rollover accident.
- Head on – Sadly, truck drivers are often pressed into meeting strict schedules which can result in reckless and negligent driving. They may speed or act in unsafe ways which can result in catastrophe.
- Rear end – Just like other drivers, a truck driver can become distracted. Depending on the speed in which the driver is traveling and the weight of the cargo, rear-end accidents involving large trucks can be serious.
- Tire blowout – Similar to when a blowout happens on a passenger vehicle, big trucks can have tire blowouts too. However, because the trucks are so big, these blowouts can sometimes result in much more serious accidents because they may cause the driver to lose control, putting other vehicles at risk too.
- Jackknife – When the trailer on a big truck swings out in an accident, it can trigger the cab to turn the trailer and fold into an acute angle. This is called a jackknife and can be dangerous for the driver of the truck as well as surrounding vehicles.
- Underride – If a truck driver slams on their brakes, it isn’t uncommon for the driver of the vehicle behind them to continue moving forward. In some cases, the driver may travel underneath the big truck’s trailer, causing significant damage to the smaller car and the driver.
Contact an Atlanta Truck Accident Attorney Today
Regardless of the kind of accident that you may have been involved in, if you have been in an accident with a big truck, you have likely suffered significant injuries and damages. The Atlanta trucking accident attorneys at Council & Associates, LLC can review your accident and work to help you get the compensation that you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
