Trucking Hazards on the Georgia Roadways
When two cars are in a collision, the weight difference is usually negligible. For instance, the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) difference between a 2009 Nissan Murano and a 2007 Ford F-150 is only about 1,700 lbs. With modern vehicle construction, the severity of the crash between two cars is rarely a matter of weight. This isn’t the case when it comes to an accident between a 6,000 lb. car and a 30,000 lb. truck—often the weight of the cab alone. When you add a loaded trailer, the weight ratio vastly increases the peril.
Because of this increased danger, commercial trucks and professional truck drivers are subject to a greater degree of federal and state regulation than car drivers. In the State of Georgia a vehicle with a GVWR 10,001 lbs. or higher that is used as a part of business is considered a commercial vehicle and additional regulations apply.
For instance a commercial truck driver in the State of Georgia can have a maximum of eleven hours of driving time, and this depends on his being off duty for at least ten hours prior to the shift. Beyond the eleven hours of actual driving time, the driver must go off duty after fourteen hours regardless of whether or not he has reached the eleven-hour time limit. There are even more regulations that govern just the work schedules of drivers.
What does all of this mean to a driver who’s been involved in a crash with a commercial truck outside of Atlanta or Decatur? There are quite a few aspects of a commercial truck accident that are different from the more common car versus car crash.
– The damage and injuries will almost always be greater – Because of the enormous difference in the GVWRs, a commercial truck will cause more damage to another vehicle and inflict greater injuries upon the driver and passengers.
– All of the aforementioned federal laws and Georgia trucking regulations apply – This means that there could be a violation or several violations that have nothing to do with which party ran the red light or made a sudden lane change.
– Representatives of the company and/or their insurers will come to the scene – This may be claim’s adjustors, assessors or even attorneys. You may even be offered a settlement right there on scene. While this may seem like the height of efficiency, it almost never benefits you to settle quickly. You should speak to a qualified truck accident attorney before accepting any offer.
According to the Georgia Department of Public Safety (georgia.gov) the following are the most frequently violated commercial vehicle and driver regulations:
1. Vehicle identification (Name and US DOT Number)
2. No medical exam certificate
3. Using a radar detector (radar detectors are prohibited)
4. No fire extinguisher
5. No stopped vehicle warning devices (reflective triangles)
6. Driver did not do a pre-trip inspection (need not be written)
7. Driver exceeded hours-of-service limits
8. No time records kept on driver
9. No annual mechanical inspection of vehicle
10. No post-trip inspection (must be in writing and is not required to be carried on board the vehicle) 11. Trailers not equipped with required brakes, lights, and reflectors.
Naturally, not all of these would have any bearing on a settlement or a case brought to the Georgia court system, but a driver exceeding his hours-of-service limits or improper equipment on a trailer certainly could. Georgia truck accident attorneys know how to investigate these types of crashes. For instance, the Atlanta truck accident lawyers at Boling Rice, LLC have experience in obtaining time records, mechanical inspection records, and other types of documentation from the trucking companies.
If you’ve been involved in a crash with a truck or tractor-trailer on a Georgia roadway, contact the truck accident attorneys at the Atlanta law firm of Boling Rice. Our number is (770) 406-6615.
Processing your request, Please wait....
