Georgia Trucking Accidents | Trends in Highway Trucking Accidents
Historically truck accidents have been higher than other similar forms of transport simply because there are so many on the road. Shipping by truck is a big business and currently is worth nearly 610 billion dollars in yearly revenue. Studies say that number is showing signs of doubling by the year 2015. It is also much harder to overlook truck accidents because they tend to have a higher visibility to the general public. They involve more fatalities and can block highways as they are being cleared. We have all stopped to watch a news report at some point that showed a jackknifed tractor trailer blocking a major road or intersection..
Trucking Accident Studies and Statistics
It has become so prevalent that accident data indicates that every 16 minutes a person is injured or killed during a truck accident. Considering that, one study covering the years 1992 to 2002 showed that accidents involving large trucks rose by 10% , I believe we can assume that the number is much worse now. Imagine, every 16 minutes a person has to deal with the pain and suffering of a truck accident and much of that can be prevented.
In another study done of the year 2003, there were over fifty eight thousand vehicle accidents involving fatalities in the united states. Of that fifty eight thousand, nearly five thousand were heavy truck accidents. If the trend continues to increase 10% per year then we can expect well over eight thousand heavy truck accidents by the year 2011.
Causes and Fault in Truck Driving Accidents
There are many causes that contribute to truck accidents but none more than the passenger car. People drive near these massive trucks without giving them the proper respect. They do not seem to realize that if a passenger car does collide with a heavy truck then the mortality rate in the passenger car is around ninety percent. Nobody walks away from a wreck with a big rig unless you were driving the truck.
This does not mean that the trucking company or the driver of the truck are always blameless. Reputable trucking companies will inspect the drivers log to insure that they are not driving for too long, which could lead to sleep deprivation and impairment of the driver. They will also maintain and keep the truck serviced to remove the possibility of breakdown through defects or unsafe systems. There are rogue trucking companies that do not abide by those rules. They undercut the pricing of the more reputable shipping companies because they do not spend the extra cost that goes into ensuring the safety of their drivers and by extension the other drivers on the road as well. So, truck accidents are definitely on the rise and if you pull up next to a tractor trailer, be aware of it and drive cautiously.
Call A Georgia Trucking Accident Expert Today
If you or someone you know has been seriously insured or killed in a trucking related accident in Georgia you need to strong legal team of Cash, Krugler, and Fredericks on your side. The Georgia Trucking Accident experts at Cash, Krugler, and Fredericks will work tirelessly to ensure that you recieve the settlement you deserve. Call today for a free trucking accident case evaluation and put Atlanta's premier attorney firm to work for you.
